THE CALL (Ezra 6-7)

Wow, there's a lot in these chapters. For instance, how about this verse about the importance of teaching?  Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways. (Ezra 7:8-10 MSG) (Yup, I have the spiritual gift teaching/encouragement, always has been my strongest gift on those self-assessments.)

But two verses made me think of a question commonly asked writers? "What happened when you received 'the call'?"

"The call" refers to the phone from an editor or agent, wanting to contract with you for your book--especially the first one.  Now, I have contracted 30 books and never received a phone call.  What I did get, back in 2003, was an email from Tracie Peterson, wanting to contract Romanian Rhapsody. I received the message on Thanksgiving Eve, so you can begin to imagine the kind of celebration I had!

Today's description of the first Passover celebrated after the temple was rebuilt and of Era's revival both express that impossible, laugh out loud, incredible, unbelievable joy.

God had plunged them into a sea of joy. Ezra 6:21  Oh, we only get to swim in that sea a few times in our lifetimes, but those occasions are memorable, even more rare than the mountain tops..

And the way Ezra expressed his joy tickled me. He thanked God for the opportunity to do what he wanted to do:  Blessed be God . . .who put it in the mind of the king to beautify the Temple of God. Writers without publishers and readers are sad people indeed.

Then comes the tickle part: Not only that, he caused the king . . . actually to like me and back me.  (Ezra 7:27-28)

They like me! They like my "baby," my book! They actually are going to back me by taking on the expense of printing it, editing it, creating a cover and a marketing plan--and paying me!

For those of you not yet published: take heart in what else Ezra had to say. My God was on my side and I was ready to go. (Ezra 7:27-28) The time you've spent learning your craft has not been wasted. You will be ready to go, when your call comes.

I am sure this applies across any work of heart and soul and hard work.

So rejoice in that sea of joy when God sends that publisher or agent actually likes you, your work, and will back it up!

WHERE FAITH MEETS DOUBT

I believe faith is acting in spite of doubt (and fear).

So when I read Even though they were afraid. . .they went ahead anyway. (Ezra 3:3)

As I read the account of those handful of refugees, and how they responded in difficult circumstances, my heart was stirred. God had brought them back to their land, a miracle in itself; but it took a second miracle--of faith, determination, and hard work--to see their beloved city and Temple rebuilt.

Here's a few principles I saw in action, which I can apply to whatever problems I am having, or when I am seeking God's will for my future. things I saw:

• Faith is acting in the face of doubt and fear.

Even though they were afraid. . .they went ahead anyway (Ezra 3:3)

• Get your priorities right. Don't put off serving God until you get your life together.

They began offering Whole-Burnt-Offerings to God from the very first day. . .even though The Temple of God's foundation had not yet been laid. (Ezra 3:6)

• Grief and joy exist side by side; we may grieve the mistakes we made in the past and wonder "what if?" but past mistakes shouldn't keep us from doing what we can today.

People couldn't distinguish the shouting from the weeping. (Era 3:13)

• When we get serious about God's work, we will face opposition. 

In June, I turned in a manuscript to my editor. I have a new book coming out. I'm working on new book proposals, and I'm teaching a course on brainstorming to ACFW (american Christian Fiction Writers.)  After I battled pain, bedrest, and depression for several days, I realized, Of course! This almost always happens when I'm doing something new for God, like teaching ACFW.

Rehum and Shim shai . . . went to the Jews in Jerusalem and made them quit work. (Ezra 4:23)

• When we are uncertain of God's will, we can proceed even without a definite yes or no. 
• Corollary: We are blessed when He puts a spiritual mentor working by your side.

This happened after they sent a letter to Xerxes the king, but before they heard back. 

Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak started again, rebuilding the Temple of God in Jerusalem. The prophets of God were right there helping them. (Ezra 6:1-2)

• God will protect His work, so that the door remains open as long as He wills.

God had his eye on the leader of the Jews, and the work wasn't stopped until a report could reach Darius and an official reply be returned. (Ezra 6:5) 

The bottom line is: Once God tells us to do something--get started! And don't stop until He turns on the stop light.

Don't worry about the doubts and roadblocks--they're to be expected.

FAMILY (Ezra 2)

70 years after the end of 2 Chronicles, God did exactly what He promised: Cyrus of Persia allowed Jews to return to their home land.

What is sad that only a little over 42,000 people took  him up on the offer.  They were defined by "families," but those families included some non-traditional groupings.

As someone whose family unit has shrunk dramatically, the thought intrigued me.

Families of Origin. This is our traditional family unit. My grandchildren, if they find the sheets I've created with what I know about my family, will know back to when my greatgrandparents arrived on Ellis Island in the 1890s. Families with mothers and fathers, great grandparents, and children, four or five generations together.

Place of origin.  All Sooners, raise your hands. Texans, may your flag wave forever brave. I'm both a New England Yankee and a devoted Coloradoan. Talk with someone who went to the same summer camp. You are from the same place of origin.

Inherited positions: Priests and levites  Something along the line of guilds, where one generation teaches the next. Blood family or not, one generation teaches the next.

Same occupations: Musicians, security guards, support staff

"Downstairs" occupations: Solomon's servants

Outsiders: Israelites who couldn't prove their family origin.

Anyone who is part of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) has had opportunity to discover the "family" of the same occupation. We are passionate for the Lord and for the written word.

I also know the feeling of being an outsider. New England born and bred, I'm still not quite a native because I wasn't born there. Out west, it doesn't matter you were born. They welcome you with open arms, part of the reason I love living west of the Mississippi..

How good God is. He gave the returning Israelites families. David said, "he sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6.) That's as true today as it was all those thousands of years ago.