Double Dog Dare.

Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.

Mark 4:24 (NLT)

 

Have you ever been double dog dared by God?  If not, you’ve really got do something about that – He pretty much rocks this game.

Recently, however, I wasn’t much in the mood for playing.  But my bad attitude didn’t stop Him from an important (and overdue) impromptu round to snap me back in line.

He had me stand on a chair.

Yup, what I said.

While attending a church conference, my eyes were closed in worship and I heard the Lord say to me, “Stand on your chair.”  So, without hesitation I obviously replied, “No”.

Ahem.  Moving along…

But I couldn’t shake it, so I started explaining my “No”.  After all, why would a 6 ft tall 38 yr old mom need to stand on a chair in church?  “I can worship you great from right here, Lord.  Aren’t we having fun just as we are?”

In time, the feeling passed and I figured God and I were good.  Crisis averted.

Two nights later, I’m back in church.  Again, focused in worship, and out of nowhere it comes… “Stand on your chair.”

No, really?

Problem is, I’ve been down this road of obedience school before.  And I’ve learned you don’t say “NO” to God twice.  Which means that I’m now trying to figure out how I can do this seemingly ridiculous task while not looking like a fool to those around me.

(Please forgive the following confession.  Also, before you ask, no alcohol was involved.)

Sooooo, after considering my “chair options”, I hatched a brilliant plan to stand on a toilet seat.

Yes.  That’s right.

They pipe the sound into the restrooms and I figured I could have a nice quiet moment with God “up high” if that’s what He needed, in the privacy of a bathroom stall.

And off I marched.

First thing I see in the bathroom is the sweetest little old lady coming out from cleaning the stall…  Way to make me feel badly for getting ready to put my dirty shoes on her sacrificial work.

Then, a woman I don’t know, gives me a big “welcome to America” hug.  (Awkward)  Finally, I slip into my private space, locking the door behind me.

This was the moment when I realized if stand on this toilet, I will easily be head and shoulders over the frame of its metal partition.  You know, just staring at the women below, waiting for their turn to pee.

Clearly, this plan of mine was a bust.  Seconds later, I marched right back out (laughing to myself) in defeat.

“Alright God, you win, we’ll do this your way.”

I located an empty row in the very back of the church, I slipped off my sparkly ballerina flats and there I stood.  Not even focusing on the song at the moment, I closed my eyes and lifted my hands.

Surrender.

Father, I will stand on a chair in surrender to you, if that’s what you need from me today.

And then… truly not 15 seconds in… an usher came and asked me to get down.  Apparently, I could “fall and really hurt myself”.

Are you KIDDING me?

Now, humiliated, I slipped back into my shoes and went shamefully back to my seat.   My heart was still pounding when a staff member came over and whispered something to my father, seated next to me.

We were being moved.  They needed us to fill the seats that had been saved for a speaker who couldn’t make it.  Suddenly, I went from getting scolded in the nose bleed seats to standing in the front row of this large and packed out venue.

And all at once I was overcome.

Now, with my full attention, the Holy Spirit began to show me the point of the dare:

“Obedience is about you and me.  Just us.  I’m asking you to trust me.  Even when you feel foolish.  Even when your friends wouldn’t understand.  Even when you’d really rather not.  Because your tender-hearted obedience is all I need to get things done, both in you and through you.

Sometimes you’d prefer to stand hidden in the back row, but I see you.  And I will place you exactly where I want you to be.  When you humble yourself for me, IT ALWAYS MATTERS.”

• For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12
• Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
• Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  James 4:10

God talks to and through us in all kinds of ways: scripture, sermons, kids, friends, songs, commercials… and (sometimes) chairs.  The point is, He is talking.  Are we listening?

I want to encourage you today to be BRAVE.  Don’t expect that others will understand the path Christ has you on in the moment you’re in it.  If He dares you to do something – even when you see no reason on earth why you should – lay down your pride.  And do it.

Knowing and walking with the Father is a double dog dare kind of adventure… After all, He really does rock the game.