Jerry and I are finding ourselves very near a crossroads of our lives. The empty nest stage is literally months away, and we have the option to change the direction of our course. We can certainly stay right where we are – same house, same jobs, same hobbies, same habits – or we can choose change. It’s a bit scary – yes! – but it is also exciting. We love adventure and dreaming and possibilities, but we also love God and we want to follow HIs direction for our lives. We don’t want to stay where we have always been out of fear and we don’t want to leave it all behind based on a whim. How, then, do Jerry and I go about interpreting what God’s will is for our next season?
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
It seems that we have been hearing this voice inside of us for a while. I have always felt called to “go” and I have mostly interpreted that as a call to missions. While that has only played out in my life in small, temporary ways, I have a missional heart and some wanderlust. Jerry, while he is adventurous in spirit, loves to be at home. But serving and helping are undeniably his gifts. Together, we see a pattern leading to a future of mission and ministry. As some of our responsibilities change, there are few excuses for following that calling.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
Within the last few years, several things have happened to turn our hearts toward this direction. Even as we knew our kids were growing older and becoming independent, we were still building a dream that would tie us to our home. We loved the possibilities right there on our corner of the world and it seemed to fit with what we had always wanted, but looking back we can see where we veered off the path and chose our own way. As we were struggling through the literal “building” of that dream, God brought it to a sudden halt through several difficult circumstances. He first paused us with red tape from our county, and then when we continued on, He dropped a tree right in the middle of the project!
In the article, “5 Ways to Know You Are Right Where God Wants You”, Meg Bucher says, “We can ask for God’s audible voice of direction in our lives, but if we’re not willing to pull over and listen, frustration will take over.” And that is just what had begun to happen in our lives. Thankfully, God used a tree to get our attention and we listened!
Author Bill Blankschaen, in his article, “How to Know What God Wants You to Do Next” asks 3 questions to help us discern if we are stuck:
- What if the greatest risk you face is of a story left unlived?
- What if true security comes not from what you can see, but what you can’t see?
- And what if your story becomes worth telling not for the bruises you avoid but for the giants you face—and defeat?
Jerry and I have begun to know that we have a story to tell – and to live! – and we know that God has used those difficult experiences (along with others!) to move us out of our comfort zones and into action.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
It can be really hard to consider difficult things good, but God knew that what we were planning was not good for us – and it wasn’t His purpose for us or for our home. The moment that tree fell, I knew it was time for a change. It has taken some time, but Jerry and I came to an understanding that it might be time to move. We felt God calling us to clean up our space, clean up our commitments, and clean up our finances so that we could be free for the next step! So we began to pray – and we got to work.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:6
Jerry and I still are not exactly sure of the plan. We know we are to move forward in the cleaning up and getting ready process, and, as we are obedient, we trust that God will give us the next step when He is ready.
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”
Psalm 37:23
Here a few of the ways Jerry and are walking in obedience as we wait for the Lord’s direction:
1.We pray together.
Jerry and I discovered the power of praying as a couple when one of our children was struggling with addiction. We knew that the difficulties we were facing could tear us apart or pull us closer together. We began to pray daily as a team to ask for God’s protection and His strength and wisdom. We were amazed at the work we saw God do in our son and in our marriage during that time. We have continued to pray together and we believe it has helped us to discern our dreams and direction.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5
2. We talk about our dreams often.
Jerry and I both are verbal processors. As we discuss our thoughts, we allow our dreams to be guided by God through the wisdom and knowledge of others and each other. In my own creative mind, my imagination can go off on tangents, but Jerry keeps me grounded. In Jerry’s logical brain, he can get stuck in the same thinking, while I am able to help him think outside of the box. We also love to surround ourselves with people who know more than we do about many things and we highly respect their opinions.
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 11:14
3. We set goals and write them down.
In the last year, Jerry and I have made it a practice to “meet” together to discuss our plans and our finances. These planning sessions inspire us and set us in reality at the same time. It is very exciting to see things crossed off the list and goals being met, and these “meetings” help us remember that we are a team. Sometimes, the numbers and number of tasks on the list can seem overwhelming, but as we have been patiently waiting (and doing), we are beginning to see the fruit.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
4. We do the work.
Keeping our eyes on the goal helps us persevere in the work. It can often seem like we are getting nowhere, but there is reward in rolling up our sleeves and getting busy. Waiting on the Lord is often an active stance (not passive). The miracles are seen in the way He multiplies our efforts and binds us together in the process. We believe that we understand the direction, but even if we are off the mark, we are more easily guided when we are in motion. Jerry and I pray that God will use our efforts to place us right where He wants us – even if that is not where we imagined at all!
“The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord.”
Judges 18:6
I love this quote by Meg Buchar!
“Trust that we are not placed on this earth coincidently. God will bring people and situations in our lives in His perfect timing. Our task is to love the best we can with what we’ve been given. When we pay attention to the people and the work God placed in our lives, the journey becomes more enjoyable.”
We look forward to sharing the journey as we move forward and we would love it if you would include us in your prayers!