Meet Marshmallow

Marshmallow’s journey into the world was anything but easy. He was breached and his human mama intervened to save his life and his mama’s life, reaching in to adjust his position for birth. This wasn’t the end of his struggles; his dehorning went awry on a hot day. The vet used a natural herb to calm him. So sedated was he that he didn’t wake up as expected, prompting an introduction to air conditioning and two very curious house cats. His mother even thought him dead at one point, leading to a rejection that needed human mediation to resolve. Now, he’s the most vocal goat in the pasture, always clear about his needs.

Reflections on Our Lives

Marshmallow’s early life mirrors our own human experiences:

Repositioning

Jonah needed divine intervention through a whale to fulfill his mission (Jonah 1-4). Saul transformed into Paul after a dramatic (and even blinding) encounter with God (Acts 9:1-8). We too are often repositioned by God when we’re  heading the wrong way. These “But God” moments are pivotal, turning our misdirections into testimonies. (“But God” is my favorite phrase in Scriptures, highlighting moments where human plans meet divine purpose.)

We’ve all had those times where we wanted to do something or didn’t want to do something (like in the case of Jonah), but God had different guidance for our lives.

Marshmallow wanted to come out with one leg back and one forward — really not very conducive to coming out at all — just like Jonah not wanting to go to Nineveh or Saul persecuting the Church, but God. (Praise God for all those “But God” moments in our lives!  It’s really my favorite phrase in Scriptures.)

Nineveh did turn from their wicked ways (for a time) thanks to Jonah finally doing as God asked. Saul became Paul and wrote a lot of the New Testament Epistles and, in so doing, gave us quite a bit of Christian doctrine. Marshmallow’s human mama  listened to the nudging from the Holy Spirit and repositioned him so he came into the world healthy and happy and very vocal.  

Strength in Weariness

When life exhausts us, the promise of Isaiah 40:31 is our comfort:

     but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 

     they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint.

Here, the Hebrew word “קוה” (qavah) suggests an expectant waiting in faith for His provisions. It’s knowing He will provide for all that we need to walk in His will. So, when we are tired we turn to the Lord; when we are weak, we turn to the Lord; when we feel faint, we turn to the Lord; when it feels like the whole world is against us, we turn to the Lord.  See the pattern? He will renew our strength so that we can go the distance for Him.

Acceptance in Rejection

Feeling cast out or alone? Ephesians 1:4-12 reminds us:

In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:4-12)

Through Christ, we’re not merely accepted but adopted into a divine family: 

• We have redemption through His blood.
• We have forgiveness of our sins according to His grace.
• He lavishes His grace upon us.
• He makes His will known to us according to His will..
• He provides us with an inheritance.

Sin splits families and friends apart—breaks relationships asunder, but God provides us with His family.

As We Enter the New Year

As you set your resolutions and expectations for the coming year, remember: 

• When you err, God will guide you back.
• When you’re weary, He will strengthen you.
• When you feel rejected, you’re embraced by God and His family.

Let these truths anchor you throughout this year and all years to come.