41 is Coming

This is mostly for me, but perhaps someone else can get something out of it, too. I saw a tattoo and the explanation behind it on Facebook or some other social media a while back, and it stuck with me. Ever since I’ve had an excerpt in my notes to write on this. Amanda and I’ve experienced our fair share of ups and downs in our lives, especially since we got married. God has used each instance to move us closer to Him and shape who we are. We’ve been on varying levels of hills and valleys. We’ve seen the tops of the mountains, the lowest of the valleys. Having been through that ebb and flow so much, we know God is up to something even now and can use it all. Our time is coming, even if it’s a little ways off. We know Amanda’s new heart is out there; we know that call is coming in. We also know it will be a rough ride, but we’ve experienced the after; the mountain top after that low valley.

Noah watched it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, but on day 41, the rain stopped.

Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years, but on year 41 God called him to help rescue the Israelites.

Moses went up the mountain for 40 days, but on day 41, he returned with the Ten Commandments.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, but on year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.

Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days, but on day 41, he fell when David slew him.

Jonah preached repentance to Ninevah for 40 days, but on day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.

Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days in the desert, but on day 41, the devil fled.

Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection, but on day 41, He ascended into Heaven.

Each of these could be their own message and story about time in the wilderness, but how 41 is coming. I could expound on each so much; there’s so much wisdom in each instance. What they all have in common is that people were brought closer to God on day 41. God never promised that His people would never see trials, but rather He does promise He’ll see us through them.

Amanda and I have seen God’s faithfulness, our day/year 41, so many times in our lives. The 40 in the wilderness may be rough, it may be unbearable…BUT 41 is coming! The rain will stop, the call will come in, clarity will arrive, the wondering will end, the promised land will appear, the giant will fall, the devil will flee.

We’ve spent a lot of time in the zero to 40. The thing is, God has grown us so much in those times. I have cried out in my prayers many times with tears streaming, even in anger at Him, but He has used it all to grow my faith and deepen my roots in Him. I don’t know where we are on the scale of zero to 40 right now, but I feel we are close. I don’t know if our 41 is the “call” coming in, the ringing of the bell on the way out of the hospital, or the mountain climbed on our next heartiversary. Maybe each of those is 41 in their own right. We’ve seen God deliver us out of the zero-to-40 wilderness, and we’ll see Him do it again. I know our 41 is coming.