My husband and I took our kids to the State Fair this weekend. My goodness. I could write a series of posts on that adventure… but this little post only takes us about an hour into our ride there.
Our pleasant little trip was underway. The kids munched happily on their snacks, and my husband and I made small talk about this and that. We were well into the 90 minute drive as the conversation between my husband and I slowed.
I looked out the window at the endless miles of wheat fields and pastures, and there, right next to the fence, were two beautiful horses. I know very little about horses, but these were breath-taking. One was black and the other white, and they looked like they might belong on a postcard.
Two majestic creatures grazing peacefully across rolling green pastureland… A picture of God’s created beauty.
But there… just about a hundred yards from the gorgeous horses, was a little donkey grazing in the same field. Its head up… its tail swishing… Just an awkward little donkey.
The glaring contrast between the two animals was pretty amusing, but immediately, the Lord reminded me of a story in Scripture.
“Now when they [Jesus and his disciples] drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent the two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them…’ So the disciples went and did as Jesus command them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Jesus on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Then, the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21
Jesus makes His triumphant entry into the city, and while many expected to see the king of the Jews ride valiantly into town on a horse, Jesus said… just bring me a donkey.
Now, I am sure that behind the donkey is some deeper spiritual meaning that the Old Testament and Bible scholars would be able to illuminate for us…
But personally and simply, I think that Jesus rode that donkey for me.
How often do we feel like there is a better choice? There is someone with a bigger voice. There is someone who is more skilled, qualified, or better prepared for__________. If God were to choose someone to do ______, He would obviously choose someone else before He ever chose me!
There is a pretty nasty lie going around that says you have to be all cleaned up before God will use you. You have to be read up on your Word. You have to be filled up with the Holy Spirit. You have to be polished. You have to be practiced. You have to be perfect.
But you know what? Throughout scripture, God goes out of His way to choose the not so obvious choice.
I feel like Jesus says, “I don’t need someone extraordinary, I AM extraordinary! I need someone who is willing to do what I ask. I need someone who is willing to become extraordinary, not because of who they are, but because of who they are with me!”
I looked out the window at that proud donkey. His head up… his tail swishing… Just an awkward little donkey.
Or was he?
So, who is waiting, friends? Who is waiting on the other side of your obedience? Someone needs to hear the story inside of you. Someone needs to encounter the Jesus who lives in your heart. Someone is waiting for you to carry the Spirit of Christ into a specific situation… and Jesus picks you!
We might not be the obvious choice, but listen carefully, friends, the Lord saying, “I have need of thee.”
Will you carry His presence?
