Exodus and Leviticus

As I read more of the 66 Love Letters, I am intrigued by a few things I read concerning Exodus and Leviticus.

For me, relationship and story have always been important, so when I read the following quote, it resonated with me...

"...until you hear My message wrapped up in the stories of real people, 

you won't trust that My power could enter your story."

After reading this, I began to have a different view of Exodus and asked myself this question: "Would it make a difference if I read Exodus thinking about the stories of real people and the grace God gave them in order to move to a deeper place of trust in Him?" I must admit, I don't think there has been a time that I have looked at Exodus with a lens any different than, "sheeze this is long and I really can't get much out of it :(. "  I think with the previous question in mind when reading Exodus, things very well may change as I read.

Then in Leviticus...

"You must not try to fit me into your plans. Your plans are too small. "

As I read this, I was reminded of a very specific time during Advent last year when God clearly spoke to my heart.  It was not audible, but it was clearly His Spirit speaking to me.  As I was spending a significant amount of time thinking about what it would have been like for Mary when the angel came to visit her to tell her that she was going to be the mother of the Savior of the world, I began thinking about the many things that would have been going on in her mind. Yet, at the same time I knew after a few clarifying questions to the angel, she was completely trusting God even though she did not know what the future would hold.  As I considered Mary's unknown future and thinking of my own life with the things that were taking place, I heard in my spirit, "Celesa, do not envision a future." Those words were not without hope-but I knew that I had always envisioned a future for various reasons and because I did, it did not allow what God had in mind for me. That was my way, not His. Interestingly, nine months later, (not that I am perfect at it) but I have moved to a place where I do not envision a specific future.   I can certainly tell you that there is a tremendous amount of freedom in that and in the midst I have a deeper trust in God. (Know that this place did not come easily, nor with out a great amount of struggle and at times I thought that the struggle and the pain that came with it might not ever end.) Being in this place clears the way for God's plans to unfold.  I know that His plans are way better than mine.

Does anything speak to you in these two quotes?  What is your conversation with God like in the midst?  Is there space for you to trust Him differently than you have in the past-what would it take to be able to do that?