I remember flying back to Melbourne for a week after I finished working at Compassion ... It's been a while since I've been able to stay for a whole week (outside Christmas time). Coming back to Newcastle in mid March I came to the sinking realisation that I didn't know the combination of my suit case. I had a swine flu (H1N1) vaccine before flying to Melbourne and have been feeling a bit short circuited in the brain. As I tried to open the suitcase, I hit the brick wall. Clues? Nup. Zilch. Nadda. None whatsoever. The idea of going through all of the combinations was like an impossible mountain. 'I don't have the patience for this!' I thought. My house mate suggested some mnemonics she uses. I gave those a go ... nope.
I humbled myself and started going through all 1000 combinations that afternoon. In the evening I had cell so I asked my cell to ask the Lord for my combination (with me). Everyone wrote down on a piece of paper what they heard the Holy Spirit say about the combination. I went home, semi-excited. But when it didn't work, I started going into a place of unbelief, thinking that my suitcase locks' been broken. In that suitcase was my 30th birthday dress, and some oranges my grandma picked from the garden. Not a great combination to be be a suitcase for an extended periods of time. It felt like I'd been given gifts that I couldn't unwrap.
The situation humbled me. I know that God is a giver of good gifts. Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13. But what's the use of having gifts if I couldn't even use them?
Has He given me gifts that I have kept somewhere 'safe'? I sure hope not.
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