Sleeping with the Lights On.

Forgive me if you've never heard of the musician Curtis Stigers. Few have. I vividly remember one particular Christmas morning, courtesy of a mother and father troubled by their son's interest in rap music (note the apostrophe and its location), a tape nestled beneath the tree. As I pulled the cassette from beneath the towering balsam fir to locate the artist I immediately heard laughter from my twin and youngest brother.

"Sweet Mullet". "Is that Michael Bolton on crack?" The jeers were limitless and warranted. (see image below)

But needless to say I got the last laugh. The dude could actually sing and dropped a few hits in his day. One in particular I'm reminded of was a song entitled "Sleeping with the Lights On". It was a classic, but you'll have to take my word for it to stay respected in the eyes of your peers.

I was pondering the song title tonight and realized that we as grown men and women often adopt this philosophy in our daily living. As a child it was acceptable. But an adult? We are so afraid of fear and uncertainty (monsters under the bed) that we choose to sleep with the lights on (disrupting the designed setting for perfect rest). A self imposed obstacle based on a perceived threat that only exists in our minds.

Julie and I know the feeling. When God informed us our time to adopt was NOW, we flipped the light switch. We discovered many reasons why waiting was the sensible and responsible thing to do. The financial aspect was far and away the largest commitment and we knew securing $30,000 dollars in a matter of six (6) months was nearly impossible. However, at this moment in our lives we knew God was not interested in our opinion. He reaffirmed to us that ignoring his plan would stifle the blessings he had in store for our family. So we turned off the lights and braved the uncertainty that was sure to follow.

God has been nothing short of miraculous over the last two (2) months. Our adoption process had slowed recently due to lack of funds but his provision has given us rest. In two separate cases he provided TO THE PENNY, the exact amount of money needed to move forward in separate endeavors (home study & agency fees). I want to share his unbelievable faithfulness, as just tonight we were blessed beyond measure. Julie and I hosted our weekly Elevation Church community group; at its conclusion in typical fashion we began cleaning the kitchen. Oddly out of place, Julie stumbled upon a white envelope with "Justin, Julie, & Malachi" typed on the front. There were no names, no handwriting, no signs to point to any one individual from the group. Inside a very "considerable" cash donation. It might as well have fallen from the sky; it was just what was needed to move forward with our next step.

Contemplating God's provision and his power to provide for his children I can't help but smile. In his word, conveniently in Malachi 3:10 he promises to "open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". This is a Tsunami. I urge you to test God in this. If you hear God's call, ACT. He will dissolve the fear and the uncertainty, he will fill you with confidence and power, and he will equip you to move mountains. Kill the lights my friends, let the darkness / uncertainty of the future give you a perfect rest as God guides you through it. He is faithful and his love endures forever. Julie and I are living proof.

Turn off the lights and sleep well tonight.

The journey continues.

Isaiah 40: 3-5 A voice of one calling : "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."