I eat happy meals in the valley of dry bones

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Last night I decided that I needed to be unavailable to the world so I could spend time with God.  Sounds so holy and righteous, but I did it because I have been neglecting God lately.  I have been offering Him prayers and worship on my commute and in between meetings.  And while I am sure that He is pleased to hear from me during those times, my spirit can only run on empty for so long.  After a stressful couple of days, I knew that God and I needed some time together.

I sat with Jesus and we talked for a while, but nothing really seemed to go according to plan.  I always imagine that I am going to go before God, He is going to speak something powerful to my heart and I will walk away and  implement the new instruction or principle.  My drive thru version of God was not satisfied last night.  I did not get to wait in line, place my order, receive my order and carry on with my day.  I think Jesus finally closed my personal drive thru.  I think He wants me to go inside to the restaurant to speak to the manager.  Last night I was able to speak to the Manager and it was wonderful.  He didn't say much back when I asked for better menu options, but He listened and provided me with a deep level of peace.  And then He put me to sleep.  (Perhaps that's God's version of saying, "Okay, okay, be quiet" and poof, I fall asleep.)

I wonder what happens in our hearts when He does this.  Last time I read about this happening, Adam woke up with a wife.  Now I am not suggesting that I expect God to have me married by the end of the week.  Besides, I have not had enough time to send invitations.  I will wait patiently (or not so patiently at times) upon  God to see what it is He has for my heart and for His glory.  I know that if we delight in the Lord, He grants us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).  I have referenced that Scripture quite frequently lately, but I am clinging to its promise.  That promise from God has become my source of inspiration to continue through the valley of dry bones.

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The valley of dry bones.  I actually do not know that Bible story too well.  Perhaps I'll reread that today and God will use it to speak to my heart.  Sometimes, I expect that by this time in my life and ministry that I would have all the Bible knowledge in my mind and my life would finally come together in "pastoral perfection."  Do you know what I mean by that?  I think most of us think that pastors, worship leaders, speakers, writers, and other leaders always hold life together in perfection and have this super duper connection with Jesus that we do not.  Shoot.  Sometimes I am amazed that Jesus still wants to chat with me or use me for anything, especially when I treat Him like my own personal McDonald's and I get upset when my Happy Meal does not come with a toy.

I think God has brought me to the point in my faith where toys from children's meals no longer satisfy me.  To be less metaphorical and black-rimmed glasses, I mean that God is showing me that quick fixes and fleeting happy moments in my highly caloric diet of self are no longer acceptable.  I would rather eat the food that comes without a toy but nourishes my heart.  And to be literal again, I mean that I would rather encounter and swallow truth that will grow my faith than live from mountain top experience to mountain top experience.  I desire that we would all surrender everything to Jesus and revere Him for being the perfect Manager.  I dream that we would all step out of the drive thru and that we would dine with the Manager, learning all we can learn from Him.  Imagine if Christians stopped asking for quick fixes and went to the heart of the problem with an assertive passion for peace in our hearts and lives.  Happy Meal toys are really cute and all, but they only distract us from the fact that we are about to consume filth for food.  True story.