Just Do It

I had one of the coolest experiences in the past few weeks that I've ever had. God has been teaching me through songs, words from others, and instances that can't be explained.
Most of you know the story of Balaam--pronounced Bay-lum (Numbers 22-25). He was the prophet that was disobeying God, and God made his donkey speak to warn him of the angel that was set before Balaam to kill him. If that doesn't ring a bell, then please read the above chapters. I admit that I had to go back and really read those chapters just to gain understanding of what it was my Father was trying to tell me.
Remember my previous post where I said God has a thing with 3's in my life? Well, this is one of those instances. Here's how it all came together:
John and I were discussing our current housing situation--the fact that we are still trying to sell this house, and the house on Imperial that we had really wanted and were believing in went under contract (that's another post for another time)--and I casually mentioned a cat that has been sitting in the driveway of the Imperial house every time I drive by. The reason I was intrigued by the cat is because the house is vacant and has been since February. I was wondering if the cat had some significance, so I asked John if he believed that God uses animals--and if they are sensitive to the Spirit like humans are.
John's comment was, "Well, look at Balaam and his donkey in the Bible. God certainly used an animal in that situation." I made a mental note of that comment, and we continued on with our discussion. Balaam was planted in the back of my mind from that moment on.
The following day, I was visiting a dear friend at her house. We were having coffee and watching our little ones play on the floor, when I decided to tell her about the fact that house we had wanted was no longer for sale. For some reason, I casually asked her if she believed in animals being sensitive to the Spirit---this is kind of an opening question so I could relay the cat story to her as well. Her response was, "Yeah. Remember the story of Balaam?"
Wow! There was that name again! I put that second reference to him in my mental file box. I knew at this point that there was a reason his name was coming up in conversation.
Ok, so fast forward about 4 days. I was at worship practice, and we were all yakking it up on the stage after playing a song--sort of a break between songs to figure out some sound issues. For some reason (and I'm still not certain how in the world it came up), the worship leader turned around to me and said the name Balaam. It freaked me out completely. I told him that I had heard that name 2 other times this week and it was so weird that he said it. His comment was, "Well, I guess you need to go back and read that story again to see what God is trying to tell you." He was totally right.
That night, I went home and got out the laptop to read the story from esword (www.e-sword.net if you are interested in downloading it). I recommend it! Anyway, I read it---I re-read it---I read it another 2 times---and I still had no answer as to why God was pointing this man out to me. Balaam wasn't really the best prophet on the planet. Basically, King Balak summoned Balaam and wanted him to curse the Israelites, promising him money and a high position. God told him not to go. Eventually Balaam gave in to Balak's requests, saddled up his donkey, and was heading out to Balak's land when an angel of the Lord appeared in his path to stop him from going. Balaam couldn't see the angel, but his donkey could. The donkey tried to avoid the angel (who was sent to kill Balaam with a sword for his disobedience to the Lord), but each time the donkey tried to move or go a different direction, Balaam punished him. Finally, after the 3rd time of the donkey trying to avoid the angel (there it is with the number 3 again!), the Lord opened the donkey's mouth and she spoke to Balaam. Here is how it happened:
"When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"
"No," he said.
Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown."
Numbers 22:27-31
I could not, for the life of me, figure out what that had to do with me. Was I being disobedient? Was the cat going to open it's mouth and talk to me, telling me that I was wrong about something? Was I going to be punished? All of these thoughts kept swirling in my mind. I went to bed frustrated and confused.
As I laid there in the darkness, I asked God to open my mind and explain a little better just what it was He was trying to relay to me. He brought my thoughts back to a different part of Balaam's story. I then realized it wasn't about the donkey at all. It had nothing to do with that part--He took me to the end of the story instead.
Eventually, Balaam realized the error of his ways, and he promised God that he would only speak His words--the truth--and not curse the Israelites. Balaam realized that the money and promotion was not worth losing his relationship with the Father. So, when Balak comes back and presents his requests to Balaam again, Balaam speaks only what God tells him to, even though it eventually cost him his life. You can read about that in Numbers chapter 25.
Anyway, THAT was what God was getting at when he brought Balaam to my mind. The lesson was:
There will be times of trial. The world will try to get me to do things a different way than what I know is right. I cannot give in to the world's requests. Instead, I must promise God to always speak what it is He tells me, and not have a fear of what the world will think or say. It may cost me, but it will all be worth it in the end. I must shed the coat of embarrassment and just do what He says.
It will forever amaze me how He can speak through people in my life, as well as through stories in the Bible. That is proof enough for me that His Word is true and alive, still to this day. From now on, I will not be ashamed of Him, and I will speak the truth.