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Barren to Beautiful

Dear Christians, You Were Born For Such A Time As This COVID-19

Culture· Motherhood

22 Mar

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I was laying on my bed, scrolling through my phone, reading the memes about social distancing and introverts saying, “I’ve been training my whole life for this.” (I think I have laughed at every single version of this meme.) But as I sat my phone down next to me, like a heavy weight, and began to think about the world, and all the grief, and all the fear, and this deep abiding heaviness I feel in my own heart, suddenly, those words I had just read, moved out of the meme, and settled into my spirit…

“I’ve been training my whole life for this.”

 

I’ve been training my whole life for this. 

For this pandemic. For this time at home. For what unknowingly lies ahead of me, of us.

And do you know something?

So have you. 

I feel compelled to share this. I know everyone is crying out right now, Facebook has become noisy and crowded with a buffet of suddenly-free resources and helps (which I am grateful for.) And, I’m not trying to raise my voice above the rest, but there is something the Spirit is saying.

And I pray we can hear it. The One whose Voice we were made for. The One who breathes life into us.

 

Dear Christians,

You were born for such a time as this.

Yes. For this pandemic. This COVID-19.

And you have been training your whole life for this. Your whole life. 

This time, when the world pauses together, and weeps together.

And no one knows what’s going to happen next, or how bad it’s going to get.

This grief. This fear. 

This standing still.

The gasping, the panting, the reaching out…

of a dying world.

Of a people desperate for life, and desperate for rescue from someone bigger and stronger than our governments, our kingdoms and our kings. We need someone other-worldy to save us now: Jesus.

He is our only hope. Now, and forever.

He is not only the hope we need, He is the hope the world needs.

You have friends, neighbors, relatives…who do not yet know Him.

And there are specific people that no one else can speak to–but you.

 

You carry within you the message of hope. The message of the gospel.

 

And you, dear one, have been chosen by God, to be here in the world,

for such a time as this. 

 

All those mornings when you woke up, morning by morning, to seek Him in His Living Word. Those were all preparing you, not just for then,

but for now.

As He spoke to you through His Spirit, and moved you from strength to strength, in His Spirit.

He was molding you, He was shaping you.

He was arming you. He was equipping you. He was making you ready.

For

this

time

now.

Right here, in the midst of this chaos, in the midst of this despair. 

You have a light to share in this darkness.

You are a light-bearer.

You hold the rope that others need to grab onto. 

The good news of Jesus Christ. Who saves us from something far more deadly than any virus, or economic collapse–our sin. You know this truth, this way, this life. 

And I know, I know, all you want to do is cry, and cope, and sleep. And hope this is a bad dream. Because that’s all I want to do each day. I want to just make it all go away, and make things “go back to normal.”

But…

You have been chosen, you have been set apart with Kingdom purpose for this time.

Before the foundations of the world, God has prepared good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) that we should walk in them.

And you are needed, for such a time as this. 

You could have been born at ANY moment in history. Think about that.

But He wanted you to be alive, here, right now, in 2020, at the exact age you are, in the exact house, yes, the exact residence  you are in

–for such a time as this.

The exact address where you live, has been chosen by God (Acts 17:26). Your exact neighbors. Your exact community. You have been placed right where you are on purpose. And you are needed right where you are.

For such a time as this.

For such a time as this.

That phrase comes from the story of Esther in the Bible. Esther had been chosen as queen and was living in the King’s palace, when her Uncle Mordecai arrived at the palace and told her that Haman was planing to destroy her people. They [the Jews] were to be completely destroyed and annihilated, “young and old, women and children, in one day…and to plunder their goods.” (Esther 3:13)

At first Queen Esther was distressed by this and didn’t know what to do. To try and stop this from happening was downright risky and scary, and she could be very-well put to death.  But as she was trying to decide what to do, her uncle sends her this message, which changes the course of history:

“Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

I think these words must have filled her with peace, purpose, urgency, and most of all faith in the Living God, who had put her exactly where he wanted her. Because immediately after, Esther replies, “Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16b)

Esther didn’t know what was going to happen. She was just one person.

She didn’t have the authority of a King. Yet, God placed her in the exact place she needed to be, at the exact time she needed to be there, “for such a time as this.”

And she went on to save her people from being destroyed.

I know that we are not necessarily called to do what Esther did. The situation we are in is quite different. But there are some things that are precisely the same. And that is:

He has put you exactly where you are, for such a time as this. 

Esther could have hid in the palace with all her comforts. But she didn’t.

She stood up.

(And I’m not saying you should break quarentine. Not at all.)

But spiritually speaking, it’s time to stand up.

I believe there is something He is calling you toward right now. Each one of us.

The people at your job (if you are still working), and the people he has placed you with inside your home, need you, for such a time as this.

Perhaps there is something the Spirit of God wants to speak to you, during this time, during these days, during these fears, that you could not otherwise have comprehended. 

And perhaps your friends on Facebook, and people you know from work, are waiting to hear from you, though they might not know it, in such a time as this.

They need something that only you can offer them.

As believers, we have this hope. We have the hope of Jesus Christ to share.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

But, if we draw our blinds and go into our hiding places, and seek to simply entertain ourselves to death, and distract ourselves to death, we have aimed small.

We have aimed so small. 

We were made for more.

Even during quarentine.

Especially during quarentine.

What has God called you to do? What gifts has he given you? What words or prophesies have been spoken over your life?

Oh, let them be fanned into flame now!

Burning, and burning, and burning. 

 

 

I want to speak to your spirit dear ones:

It’s time to Arise, daughters.

It’s time to Arise, sons.

 

Not because I tell you, but because God commands that you do so.

Hear His Words:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will be seen upon you.

And nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Dear brothers and sisters, it is not time to sleep. It’s time to awaken.

It’s time to arise.

Arise.

To stand in your calling.

 

Do you remember in “The Hunger Games,” how Katniss spends her time in the woods, shooting her bow, hunting? She’s not caught up in the culture of the Capitol. She isn’t swept away in the lies. She sees clearly, and soberly. She climbs into the trees. She steps back and sees what is going on from a higher angle. She is wise and discerning.

 

It’s time to awaken the Katniss in you.

 

It’s time to get out your bow.

 

It’s time to unsheath your sword.

The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 

You have been training your whole life for this.

You need to aim your bow steadily at the dragon, at Satan, and aim it deeply into his heart.

Again, and again, and again.

You need to remember, who the real enemy is.

God has not give you a spirit of fear.

He has given you everything you need. 

He has equipped you. 

He has armed you. 

He has prepared you. 

And He has give you His Spirit. 

And this is not a small thing.

 

He has promised us that trouble will come,

and now it’s here.

It surrounds us, seemingly, on all sides.

He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b

He has overcome the world.

 

Oh dear ones, listen to me–this is where it becomes real. Our faith. When we cannot see how this is going to play out.

We’ve been training our whole lives for this.

The Spirit of God is real. And He dwells within us.

And He will not leave us now.

We may be quarentined in our homes, but think, Paul and Silas were locked in a dark, nasty prison. Still they sang songs and hymns and loudly exalted the name of Jesus and the prisoners were listening to them. And as a result, an earthquake errupted and set them free, and that night, they brought the gaurds to salvation in Jesus! (See Acts 16:22-34)

If they could worship from a prison cell, surely, we can worship from our homes.

They were bound, but God’s Word is not bound, it’s never bound. We are here in our homes, but God’s Word is not chained. May it go forth boldy now. This is the time, to let your inner man, let the Spirit of God come out of you. To let your light shine.

To arise.

 

But, maybe you’re wondering, like me…how can you arise when your own knees are shaking?

When your own stomach is in anxious knots?

How can you arise when you are quarentined in your own home?

How can you smile and orchestrate a fun and peaceful day for your kids,

when you are sobbing on the inside?

 

You can’t.

 

But the One living inside of you can. 

And He must do the living now.

The days for relying on your own strength and understanding are over.

It’s time to lean on Him like never before.

It’s time to hope in Him like never before,

and in turn, share that hope, with the world.

The days for being ashamed of the gospel are over.

What He has whispered in the darkness, you must declare on the rooftops.

(Maybe not actual rooftops..)

(But maybe actual rooftops if you are speaking to your neighbors from a distance.;)

It is time to stand in the calling in which Jesus Christ has called you.

If you are a singer or musician, awaken the dawn with your song. 

If you are a writer, captivate, create worlds with your words. Write as if it’s your last dying breath. 

If you are a pastor or speaker, declare with boldness the gospel of Jesus, and the Kingdom advancing. 

If you are a mom, nurture hearts more tenderly than ever before. (Bake, sing, kiss boo-boos, cultivate life and beauty for the little Kingdom warriors in your home.) Create adventures in the yard, in the living room, and hold your people close during movies and stories.

If you are a friend, reach out with compassion. Pray over the phone for your friends. 

Immerse yourself in God’s Word.

Sing.

Dance in your kitchen. Become more undignified than this.

Pray for your nieghbors, and for the nurses and doctors and medical personnel. Pray that actual angels will surround them. Pray for the sick, and pray against this virus. That the Healer may heal.

And the Church may arise.

And that many will come to salvation in Jesus Christ.

Beginning with you.

 

Because dear one, you’ve been training your whole life for this. 

 

And “who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?”

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6 Comments

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Comments

  1. Yvonne says

    March 22, 2020 at 10:51 pm

    Amen this is so well needed and right on time because God has called me to write a book which am already working on. I refuse to procrastinate any longer because the world is waiting for my obedience

    Reply
    • Rebekah says

      March 22, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      Yvonne, that is so awesome to hear! I am delighted to know that you are inspired to keep working on your book—what a blessing it will be! May God give you clear vision for it and bring it about in just the right time.❤️

      Reply
      • Angela Zhang says

        July 10, 2020 at 8:39 am

        Hi Rebekah,
        You give us hope during this hard pandemic. Thank you for giving us hope! In articles before I see you have a third child on the way. Is your 3rd child born yet! Is it a boy or girl and what is the name? I just would like to say congratulatous to you Rebeakah. The Lord is real! My mom also was barren but she ended up having me. One day like you Rebekah my mom became pregnant and she was so happy! She believed she would have children and she could. The Lord is real and your story is inspiring! Did you know my moms doctor told her to adopt children because some doctors think she was unable to concieve children on her own. But she did it without IVF or anything like that! I am so Thankful for the Lord!

        Reply
        • Anoymous says

          July 10, 2020 at 8:45 am

          Hello, I am 10 years old. I went to your website because I believe god and I just wanted to read about a article of believing god and pandemic. But then I reliazed that you were barren and that I have a simlar story. My mom was barren but then like you she was not barren anymore with God’s help. Now like any other child I want a sibling. I know about biological clock and after me they tried convieing but they couldnot. What do I do? i really want a sibling. Anything you could suggest? But i do not want her to take risk as she is in her 40s I read an article on your website about your daughter and how she prayed for a sibling and it work. Do you suggest me to try that?

          Reply
          • Rebekah says

            July 28, 2020 at 12:54 pm

            Hello there, I’m so glad you found my blog! I do not know what God’s will is, but yes, I would bring it to the Lord and prayer. He tells us to bring all our requests to Him. But whether he gives you a sibling or not, I know Jesus will be the one to bring you joy and peace in your life. Much love my young sister!❤️

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Hi, I’m Rebekah Fox.

I was once a barren woman. I had a barren womb, and a very barren soul. But God saw me in my barrenness--and He delivered me. Not only of a barren womb, but a barren soul, too. He opened my eyes to His beauty all around me. And every day, I need Him to do it again, in my heart, and in my spirit. To take me from Barren to Beautiful. Because I am weak, and broken, and sinful, but He--He is beautiful. If the Spirit has led you here, perhaps He wants to take your barrenness away--and birth something more beautiful than you ever imagined.

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Rebekah Fox

barrentobeautiful

I help women struggling with infertility to hope in Christ and allow Him to transform them from barren to beautiful—on the inside. 🌸

You’re invited 🌿 The past 3 summers I’ve i You’re invited 🌿

The past 3 summers I’ve invited my readers and friends to join me in a social media fast—

and it has been extremely restorative and fruitful. 

I want to invite you to join me for this, because I have experienced how freeing this has been. It begins on June 1, but you could join whenever you are reading this.:)

There are two choices:
The Sprint—fasting June 1-July 1 🏃🏻‍♀️ 

The Marathon—fasting June 1-September 1 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

The thing is, while I love following so many of your beautiful profiles (especially those of you who write for the glory of God) the truth is, you’re not the reason I’m going. It’s everything else.

I’ve found that my soul needs breaks from scrolling, from information, from watching, and from the many voices and opinions, and the idolatry that I’m so prone to adore and replicate.

Summer has become for me, a beautiful growing time. A quiet time, and a hidden time. 

If you choose to do one of these fasts—you will miss out. You will miss out on the happenings in the Christian world, you will miss out on being seen, you will miss out on the latest controversy, and the latest debate. 

But what you will gain, is so much more. 

For you will discover the forgotten beauty of the secret place.🌿

This summer, let your greatest ambition to be this: to know Him.

Nothing could be more freeing.
Nothing could be more fruitful.

Abide in him, and he will abide in you. He is the vine, and you are the branches and apart from him, we can do nothing. 

It’s a practical move this fast. It feels like pruning shears. But he only prunes, to make us more fruitful. 

This is my last night here for a while. 

I just felt prompted to invite you on this adventure, too.🌿
I won’t see you, but God will see you. And that’s all that really matters.

The link in my bio will explain everything about how the fast works.

If you do need to get in touch, you can email me at barrentobeautifulblog@gmail.com

Happy summer!🌿

Photo cred: My daughter when we visited the @wildandfree.co Forest Cabin 2 summers ago 🌿
Early on in my writing for #ttc women, I realized Early on in my writing for #ttc women, I realized my blog posts were not enough. These grieving women needed more than a blog post, or a Facebook comment. The women with empty wombs and longing hearts—needed something to hold in their hands. 
Hope. 
They needed the hope of Christ.

I’m delighted to say my dear friends @jennmhesse and @kelramsey at @waiting.in.hope Infertility Ministry have brought this hope to bear in their new book, “Waiting in Hope.”

This is the book I would have read from the bathroom floor on the nights I wept for a baby and God felt so silent and far away. This was the book I wished I had walking the lonely journey of infertility—too ashamed to ask for help, or even prayer. 

If you are a woman #ttc let this book be the gift you buy yourself for this Mother’s Day. 

Like two, gentle loving sisters who have walked this path, Jen and Kelly will lead you to wait in Hope—for the One who himself is Hope.

He sees you. He hears you. 
And you are not alone. 
Not anymore. 

There is a beautiful community of women, full of faith, compassion, and hope that long to come around you at @waiting.in.hope . 

But you can start here, by reading these 31 reflections for walking with God through infertility. You will be so glad you did. I promise.

**a few notes about these pictures.
I wanted this book with my tulips because I have to wait so long through the winter for them to grow. They are to me, the symbol of hope each spring.🌷

Second, to get the book to lay flat, in pic #5 I had to open my hand. And it reminded me, of how infertility was a season of unclenching my fists, and opening my hands in faith and surrender and worship. Open hands are also the only posture for receiving. And I pray this book opens yours.

May this book bless you and infuse you with real, living, tangible hope. Which is, the hope of Jesus. 🌿

Purchase at 
@waiting.in.hope and follow this amazing community of support! #ttc #infertility #infertilityawareness #hope
Ah, the words I most needed to hear this morning—once again—come from God’s Word through the prophet Isaiah! A woe to those who are tempted to trust in FLESH and not SPIRIT. (That’s me!) And a call to return to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. For he, too, is “wise and brings disaster.” 

I love what Alec Motyer writes in his commentary—which has counseled my heart so many mornings, but especially this one:
“The Lord never merely reacts to events as if sprung on him. He has prepared all beforehand is totally master of the situation.”

I encourage you to read Isaiah 31, and see Motyer’s notes here. See if your heart does tremble at the Holy One of Israel. See with what piercing accuracy the word of God penetrates your heart. 

And his final note—the blood of the lamb did not seem like enough for the Angel of death to pass over—but it was. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Whatever God says, is true, and right. He alone is God—He is totally master of the situation. More than we could ever know or understand. He is worthy of all trust, all praise, all worship. I remind you, as I remind myself:
Do not rely on the flesh, for what only the Spirit of God can do. 💛
💛 💛
“I invited you, but you did not come.” It see “I invited you, but you did not come.”

It seems like a love letter, sometimes, this book, raw, aching words—though they come from God. What we see here is an invitation and a reproof. I imagine it almost like getting a beautiful wedding invitation, saying “this is what we could have had,” but then at the bottom are the painful words, “…but you were unwilling.” 

You refused to trust me, you refused to come after me, and you frantically panicked and went after other gods—who cannot save you. 

I don’t mean to add anything that’s not there, just pondering this one line out of the whole chapter 30 of Isaiah. I’ve wanted to write this verse at the end of cards and letters, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…” and just end it there. Except I cannot edit out the very heart of God to fit my nice letter of comfort. The reproof is attached, “But you were unwilling.” These words pierce my heart. 

And I only share them to marvel at the heart of God. To allow His words to be wielded, to let them pierce our hearts. Nothing is sharper than the word of God. And it is good to ponder His word—even when it brings a sorrow, it is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. It stings sometimes, but we must read the whole counsel of God. We must not gut it of the difficult parts. For in it, God’s heart is exposed to us—and it’s a heart so loving as we’ve never seen in anyone on earth. (Except, in the person of Jesus Christ!) 

Shortly after this, the Lord calls his people back, so tenderly it brings me to tears. What kind of love is this? What kind of God is this? Surely one who is worthy of our whole hearts, and whole lives, and ALL of our trust. 

Let us stay close to His Word, that we may know his heart. Nothing is more piercing or precise for today. He knew what He was doing when He breathed out these living words. We need them. They are life to us—for they lead to HIM. That we may know HIM as He is, and not merely as we think Him to be. 🧡 He is more wonderful than I ever thought, and still far greater than I know. I cannot probe the depths of His heart, and yet, through His word and Spirit, He probes the depths of mine.
Oh, listen to what God says in Isaiah 51:5-6! 
💛 

Lift up your eyes…

“…but my salvation will be forever, 
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.”
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