Counting the Omer has always been a real blessing for me. It is so easy to dismiss, but I think that is part of the reason why YHVH blesses us for doing it. It doesn't have a big gathering for all to see us observing it. It is a real test of "remembering" when it is done on a daily basis in the privacy of your own home. There aren't great ceremonies and meals associated with it...it is a shadow picture of the "little things" He calls us to do. Doesn't he remind us in Luke 16 " Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much........” Its so much easier to just look at a calendar for when we can celebrate Shavout and skip that whole daily counting thing...isn't it? But YHVH blesses us greatly in the little things! I think it is just one of His (many tests) of us to see HOW faithful we are. We teach our kids a little phrase "We do the right thing; even when no one is looking." Counting the Omer is a great example of that. Each year what He shows us is different, but He always shows us something. Each year, it happens in a a little different way...its like a custom blessing. He knows just where we are and what we need and what we can "hear", and He meets us right where we are. What an AWSOME Elohim we serve!
On the practical side: He showed me this year that He uses the Omer to teach us new habits...To remind us of new beginnings...to lead us according to His will. He prepares us for further cleansing, service and revelation. He shows me that being transformed into His likeness happens one step at a time. We have witnessed this year by making it a priority to count the Omer every day, at the same time (our evening meal). We say a Hebrew blessing, read a portion of Scripture each day, which we planned ahead and prepared for before Omer started. He is establishing in us a pattern of obedience, diligence and deliberateness. YHVH is a God of order. He reveals Himself time and time again through patterns in the Scriptures, in Creation, and in History of Man. It pleases Him. Our family has a tendency to be incredibly flexible. This is a good trait in many ways when one wants to live in response to the Spirit leading you and hearing that still small voice and being able to roll with it. However, it can also be a detriment of character if it is not balanced with discipline and steady patterns. YHVH trains us to be balanced in both. This past year has been one of "rolling with it". We have had a pregnancy and birth (child #6); have adopted two small children internationally; moved out of state (800 miles mostly by ourselves); My husband has undergone hernia surgery; We have lost two grandparents; we have raised the roof and added a second floor to the new house (mostly done by a friend that traveled 800 miles to help us!) and that is just to name a few things! Regular patterns and things which may represent "stability"as most people know it, have been hard pressed to find in the last year. However, this 'Feast of Weeks', it seems as though YHVH is showing us that He is bringing us in to a new season; that the craziness of last year is coming to an end. We were faithful through it, keeping His Feasts, Watching His Creation Calendar, Studying His Word with passion and consistency, serving others where we could, and maintaining fellowship and encouragement in the Body. However, our Hebrew lessons slipped (all of a sudden English became a priority, among other things, with our adopted girls and family adjustments), we were not able to be consistent with our music worship training, we were undocumented "unschoolers". As we were between states for about 6 months, packing and unpacking the two residences, and living amidst construction, we slept in sleeping bags and bought "store food" and ate out a lot instead of making things from scratch and having organic resources for many things like we normally would. We wanted to be much more deliberate in things and we simply could not do it all...But during this season of counting the Omer, he is reestablishing the last bits of those things for us. In the process of practicing the pattern of counting the Omer, I am seeing many other patterns being established in our daily habits once again. It is a beautiful thing! It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3 telling us there is a season for everything. We are seeing fruits of last years labor come together, even though it seemed like it was all just "crazy"at the time. The "bonding" relationships with our family doubling; the child training; the construction; our other house just went under agreement and is scheduled for a fast sale; schooling is becoming much more deliberate; the junk food/ eating out; the list goes on an on here too. We are becoming refreshed, revived and renewed for His service. Amen!
Even though we like to do big things for Him...He wants the little things in our lives...while no one is looking. He is glorified in the little things. No matter how tedious or small they may seem, if He tells us to do it, it is not up to us to dismiss, override or make excuses for not applying them...it is simply our job to do it. No matter what life is throwing our way. He is showing us that this is where our heart is most revealed. This is where our true commitment to Him is. Like the parable of the 3 men with the talents (Matt 25: 14-30), the little things matter!!
In "the doing" of the little things He tells us to do, an anointing is released. Yahshua reminds us, if we love Him we will obey His commands. He wants our obedience, it is the fruit of our love. It is greater than sacrifice. (1 Sam 15:22,23) We don't obey with the heart of a rebellious child, who does it because He "has to". No! When we are in His will and of right spirit, we obey out of love, out of a pure desire for unadulterated Holy communion with our Creator trusting HIS terms....it is an amazing thing! It is a precious gift to walk to the rhythm of YHVH! Like a beautiful song, we are in harmony with King of the Universe! What a Divine Romance He has called us into!!! Yes, even the tedious things are glorious in YHVH!
On the practical side: He showed me this year that He uses the Omer to teach us new habits...To remind us of new beginnings...to lead us according to His will. He prepares us for further cleansing, service and revelation. He shows me that being transformed into His likeness happens one step at a time. We have witnessed this year by making it a priority to count the Omer every day, at the same time (our evening meal). We say a Hebrew blessing, read a portion of Scripture each day, which we planned ahead and prepared for before Omer started. He is establishing in us a pattern of obedience, diligence and deliberateness. YHVH is a God of order. He reveals Himself time and time again through patterns in the Scriptures, in Creation, and in History of Man. It pleases Him. Our family has a tendency to be incredibly flexible. This is a good trait in many ways when one wants to live in response to the Spirit leading you and hearing that still small voice and being able to roll with it. However, it can also be a detriment of character if it is not balanced with discipline and steady patterns. YHVH trains us to be balanced in both. This past year has been one of "rolling with it". We have had a pregnancy and birth (child #6); have adopted two small children internationally; moved out of state (800 miles mostly by ourselves); My husband has undergone hernia surgery; We have lost two grandparents; we have raised the roof and added a second floor to the new house (mostly done by a friend that traveled 800 miles to help us!) and that is just to name a few things! Regular patterns and things which may represent "stability"as most people know it, have been hard pressed to find in the last year. However, this 'Feast of Weeks', it seems as though YHVH is showing us that He is bringing us in to a new season; that the craziness of last year is coming to an end. We were faithful through it, keeping His Feasts, Watching His Creation Calendar, Studying His Word with passion and consistency, serving others where we could, and maintaining fellowship and encouragement in the Body. However, our Hebrew lessons slipped (all of a sudden English became a priority, among other things, with our adopted girls and family adjustments), we were not able to be consistent with our music worship training, we were undocumented "unschoolers". As we were between states for about 6 months, packing and unpacking the two residences, and living amidst construction, we slept in sleeping bags and bought "store food" and ate out a lot instead of making things from scratch and having organic resources for many things like we normally would. We wanted to be much more deliberate in things and we simply could not do it all...But during this season of counting the Omer, he is reestablishing the last bits of those things for us. In the process of practicing the pattern of counting the Omer, I am seeing many other patterns being established in our daily habits once again. It is a beautiful thing! It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3 telling us there is a season for everything. We are seeing fruits of last years labor come together, even though it seemed like it was all just "crazy"at the time. The "bonding" relationships with our family doubling; the child training; the construction; our other house just went under agreement and is scheduled for a fast sale; schooling is becoming much more deliberate; the junk food/ eating out; the list goes on an on here too. We are becoming refreshed, revived and renewed for His service. Amen!
Even though we like to do big things for Him...He wants the little things in our lives...while no one is looking. He is glorified in the little things. No matter how tedious or small they may seem, if He tells us to do it, it is not up to us to dismiss, override or make excuses for not applying them...it is simply our job to do it. No matter what life is throwing our way. He is showing us that this is where our heart is most revealed. This is where our true commitment to Him is. Like the parable of the 3 men with the talents (Matt 25: 14-30), the little things matter!!
In "the doing" of the little things He tells us to do, an anointing is released. Yahshua reminds us, if we love Him we will obey His commands. He wants our obedience, it is the fruit of our love. It is greater than sacrifice. (1 Sam 15:22,23) We don't obey with the heart of a rebellious child, who does it because He "has to". No! When we are in His will and of right spirit, we obey out of love, out of a pure desire for unadulterated Holy communion with our Creator trusting HIS terms....it is an amazing thing! It is a precious gift to walk to the rhythm of YHVH! Like a beautiful song, we are in harmony with King of the Universe! What a Divine Romance He has called us into!!! Yes, even the tedious things are glorious in YHVH!
2 comments:
:) This was a nice post, the little things, so true....thank you for sharing..and may your Sabbath/Weeks be blessed.
Oh and I truly loved your comment on the pretzel post...too funny!
I found myself saying "Amein" throughout this post! So well written. Obedience is a joy because we love Him!! Thank you for sharing! Have a blessed Shabbat!
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