Plant your ebenezers

​There are songs that come along in my life that get instantly put on repeat. They come along just when I need them and become a reminder - an Ebenezer of sorts.

Chris Renzema and Ellie Holcomb open 'Just as Good' by singing:

I've been here before, my heart feels so weak
Got this weight upon my chest, and
I can't stop forgetting
My God, that You've never left, You're right here with me
Still I'm convinced You're hiding
Oh God, would You remind me?

I have felt weights lately. I've talked to friends and various people in my travels who are feeling their own weights.

I confess, under the weight, I get to wondering - where are you God? Why are you so willing to hide while we are all carrying weights?

There's a story in the bible in 1 Samuel 7. The people of Israel were experiencing a revival under the leadership of Samuel. The people were once again pointing their eyes toward God. They could once again feel his presence.

It was during this time that the Philistines came to attack Samuel and his people. The people were afraid and begged Samuel to cry out for them.

And he did.

When the Philistines arrived, God sent down a mighty thunder that threw the Philistines into confusion and they were routed by the Israeli troops.

After defeating them, Samuel took a stone and set it up where the battle had occurred. He named the stone Ebenezer, which means - stone of help. It would serve forever as a reminder that God was there with them.

He always had been.

Sometimes, when we feel the weight of the world, that added weight can feel like God's disappearance. A feeling that can lead us to actually believe that God is gone. And soon, we will be left feeling like we are bearing that weight alone.

That weight can lead us to quit crying out to God.

I am reminded this week, through the constant repeat of this song, that when I am doubting, God's love still surrounds me. God's absence is NEVER about his unavailability; it is ALWAYS about my doubting.

I have spent some time this week planting Ebenezers in my life. I've gone back to battles where God roared down thunder and confused the enemies in my life - thunder that allowed me to walk away victorious.

I have planted an Ebenezer in those dark days when I didn't want to be here any more. Yet here I am.

I have planted an Ebenezer in the addictions and compulsions that felt like Philistines in my life. Only to see the Philistines retreat.

I have planted an Ebenezer next to my boys who for many reason almost never came into existence. Yet today, they are the heartbeat of mine.

I have planted an Ebenezer next to a divorce, where much of the world continues to shout broken while God keeps whispering healed.

I want to encourage us all to plant Ebenezers in our lives. Plant reminders that we can turn to when the weight gets heavy and it feels like God is gone. Because God doesn't show back up after taking a respite from our lives.

God shows back up when we remind ourselves he never left.

And I will build an altar
Stack it stone by stone
'Cause every Ebenezer says I've never been alone
My faith will surely falter
But that don't change what You've done
'Cause every Ebenezer points to where my help comes from

I encourage you friends. Set your stones.

Plant your Ebenezers.