Walk in the Woods

Nik Curfman 6/10/21 Nik Curfman 6/10/21

Journal: #302 Regular People

What I was drawn to today was what the gospels don’t say about any of these people. None of them were called talented, smart, or gifted. None of them were from prestigious families, held positions of power or status. What they were was faithful and dedicated. The goodness and joy of the Lord are in the dedication to Him, to His kingdom. It’s a truth I forget while I’m trying to prove my worth to the world. Thank God for Luke, and his inclusion of regular people.

The Gospel of Luke is my favorite Gospel to read. The author— often believed to be Paul- told us a more complete story than the other three. Thankfully, he fills gaps the other gospels miss. In the first three chapters alone, Luke details the birth of John the Baptist, provides the only details for Jesus’ birth and several visits to Jerusalem. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s easier to read than the other Gospels.

I read it like a movie script. The elderly parents of John the Baptist (Zacharias and Elizabeth) were barren until the proper moment. Then the Lord used them to prepare the way for the Messiah. Their eccentric son’s preaching and calls for repentance trained the hearts of the people toward Heaven. Not only that, shepherds receive a visit from “an angel of the Lord”, old servants (Simeon and Anna) see promises fulfilled, and 12-year-old Jesus decided he was gonna stay in the temple rather than go back to Nazareth (or where ever Jesus grew up.) These details and people give us color and context to the world Jesus entered.

They also help us gain a more clear understanding of how the Lord works.

The birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus are not about a superhero God. It’s the story of our Father God, working through us, to bring His family together. That’s what I love about the first few chapters of Luke. While the other gospel jump into the life of Jesus, the Gospel of Luke shows us what other people experienced in the life and time of Jesus.

Think about this statement from Elizabeth:

“This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”
- Luke 1:25 NASB

It’s sad to think about Elizabeth, her barren condition prior to this moment. She was a disgrace…for no good reason. She wasn’t a jerk or menace. She was infertile until she wasn’t. How human is that? How often do we feel ashamed about life beyond our control? The most important aspect of this statement is where it came from. Either the author of Luke imagined it…or Elizabeth told her story to at least one other person. (Given the details about Mary in Luke, I think it’s Mary or someone super close to Mary.)

Nik Curfman 5/30/21 Nik Curfman 5/30/21

Journal: #293 Zacharias and Elizabeth

As I read this story today I am reminded of two powerful truths. One, God is faithful. He hears our cries and anguish. Life is a challenge and walking with Him is the only way to make sense of it. Two, the Lord has a plan. And, it’s good. John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for Jesus. It was the Lord’s timing he is born when he was, just before the birth of Jesus.

“[h]e has seen fit to take away my disgrace before men.”
- Elizabeth, Cousin of Mary, Aunt to Jesus

Crazy shit happens in life. Our loved ones die, businesses collapse, and technology keeps us moving. Much of life is beyond our control and appears to lack reason or purpose. I’m sure that’s how Zacharias and Elizabeth felt when they produced no children after a few years of marriage. Go read Luke 1. Zacharias is a public figure, a priest. Elizabeth is a known woman in Jerusalem, her empty womb a topic of conversation. She calls herself ‘disgraced’ by men for her lack of fruit. (Sadly, many women still feel this way when they cannot get pregnant.) Then the angel appears to Zacharias and everything changes.

As I read this story today I am reminded of two powerful truths. One, God is faithful. He hears our cries and anguish. Life is a challenge and walking with Him is the only way to make sense of it. Two, the Lord has a plan. And, it’s good. John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for Jesus. It was the Lord’s timing he is born when he was, just before the birth of Jesus.

If you’re like me, you ask “why couldn’t it happen any other way?” It’s a smart question without a satisfying answer. (The answer is always because it did.)

Recently, I’ve asked the Lord “why” about several events in my life. The answer is always because it did. What I choose to hold onto is what Zacharias held onto- God is good. Zacharias stuck to his calling and walked with God. It’s a glorious story. Very often, we want a pain-free life. We want answers. These are normal human responses- even Zacharias questioned the angel— but they are not faithful responses*. Faith is rising every day to say, “Lord, I’m here. Your will be done.”

*Doubt is not a sin.

Nik Curfman 12/12/20 Nik Curfman 12/12/20

Journal: #145 Snakes And Worms

Snakes in the road. Worms in the garden. That’s life with Jesus.

Last night I had two odd, and apparently unconnected, dreams. They were both flashes of a dream lasting mere seconds. I nearly forgot about them if not for my usual stroll with the Lord this morning.

Dream One

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In the first dream, I walked down a long road through a landscape similar to the one in the picture- the western United States. The next part is a bit odd, and as I said in the intro it all happened in a few seconds. Suddenly, no longer walking, I was pushed or pulled by a force I could not see…by my head. And, my head was on the ground. I wasn’t comfortable, just odd. Then, snakes. My head started to encounter packs of small snakes in the road, and they were mad.

The snakes were dull yellow and orange, They laid in tight bunches on the road, and hissed as I neared them. I believe they tried to bite me, and perhaps did. Regardless, they couldn’t hurt me. I recall thinking “this is odd,” but I was unafraid.

Dream Two

The second dream was similar. It was brief, more like a picture or gif than a full dream sequence. Again, my face was close to the ground. Instead of a road, this time it was green grass after a steady rain. I noticed the ground was alive and moved. It was worms, healthy earth worms. Then, the dream ended, and I continued to sleep.

How? Are These Connected?

Since my roommate is gone till January, I decided on a lazy start to my Saturday. At 9 AM I was still in bed, then I heard the Lord say, “Let’s go for a walk.” It’s a good thing He did. I wasn’t motivated to do much, and my head was filled with thoughts about recent political events. After I got dressed, made coffee, and began a load of clothes, I finally made it out the door.

My walk was a typical mix of focused prayers and random thoughts, punctuated with a few tears. The route I took was my usual route up the hill into the retirement community of mobile homes. In my ming, I wondered if the Lord had something for me, or if He was merely encouraging me to do something He knew I wanted to do.

Stupid Snakes

On my way back I noticed a collection of rubber animals outside one double wide. They are always there, and they feature a set of small snakes. In that moment I began to understand what the Lord wanted to communicate today. Up to that point, I’d forgotten all about my dreams from last night.

For the next few minutes I spoke to the Lord about snakes. They are predators, liars, and were after my mind. These weapons of the enemy hang out in packs, and are only effective if I stop to entertain them. These snakes are all the lies I believed in the past- I am a loser. I am not good enough, no one loves me, etc.

In His goodness, the Lord reminded me the snakes cannot hurt me, if I keep walking with Him. Snakes will always be part of the road, because it part of life in this earthly reality. It’s ok. I am made to overcome them. Every time.

Glory Worms

It would have been a good morning if that’s all the Lord showed me, but He wasn’t done. 50 feet from my front door, crawling across the sidewalk toward a patch grass was an earth worm. I didn’t need to ask the Lord a single question. When I saw the worm the Holy Spirit downloaded the answers into my soul before I asked the questions.

The worms are a sign of health, as worms help recycle dead biomass into fertilizer. And, the abundance of worms in my dream meant the Lord is working to grow my garden, even if I can’t see it. He’s working.

Snakes Are Part of Life, Gardens Our Destiny

The enemy wants us to believe the lies. And, if we don’t believe the lies, he wants us to focus on the presence of the lies. You’re a Christian. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. Something is wrong. It’s bullshit, and the enemy wants to turn our attention to anything other than Jesus.

The Lord is forever asking us to walk with Him. The invitation to meet Him in the Garden is eternal. It’s the place where we find life, grace, and love. And, He’s always moving. We are even destined to become gardens from Him, to host His presence and glory.

Snakes in the road. Worms in the garden. That’s life with Jesus.

The concept of the Lord moving in my life, without noticed or credit, is something I’ve thought about this year. Like worms under the surface of the ground, He’s never stops working.

The worship song below is my current favorite. It’s the Bethel Music of Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu’s Way Maker. Her original version is just as good.