by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart
The fall is upon us and very soon the leaves will turn all shades of amazing colors. This time of year is spectacular to behold – but it also reminds me that change is upon us. It is the end of summer – the end of a season – the end of life as we know it. Fall is a sign that we are entering a period of rest. As the trees drop their leaves and bear their branches in the cold darkness of winter, we will long for new life with the reassurance and hope that it will come.
I love change. I know that makes me strange, but I always have. I grew up in a military family that moved, and while I didn’t have to relocate as often or as far as some military families, it was enough to set the tone of transition for my life. In the early years I became someone who appreciated the ending of one thing and the fresh start of something new. I came to love the opportunity for a new room, a new school, a new set of friends.
That love of change extended into my adulthood as I became a teacher. One of my favorite aspects of the school year is that it has an ending – and a new beginning. I have been able to translate that concept into each day as it comes to an end and then a new day begins. The end becomes a beginning, death becomes new life, change becomes a fresh start, putting away the old opens up the opportunity for a new creation!
As painful as change can be, it is a sign of the grace of our good God. Just as He has planned for the autumn leaves to fall, He has allowed things to end in our lives as well. Though we cannot see the work of new life forming within the tree, He is working in the secret places of those trees and us to bring about new life that will show itself in season like the tiny new leaves unfurling in the spring sun. The death of one thing prepares the way for the life of another.
Romans 2:4 asks, “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” It is His love that allows things to come to an end. He knows what we need and He knows how to get us there.
This revelation leads me to ask myself, “Will I see those falling leaves in my life as the love of God preparing me to weather the storms ahead? Or will I stomp my feet and wallow in self-pity, unable to consider that those dry leaves hanging on would simply add weight to my brittle branches in the heavy snows that come during the winter of life? Will I rejoice in the beauty of the colors of change and swirling of leaves blown in the breeze? Or will I tuck my head and grumble at the mess I must clean up as the leaves pile all around me?”
I will choose to see the love – I will remind myself to gaze upon the beauty – I will marvel in awe at the awesome power of God, who is able to turn the end of something old into the beginning of something new! So I will say, “Lord, Let your love fall all around me!”
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
by wendy | Nov 8, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Trusting God
Several years ago I attended the HOPE WMUV Get Away Conference. Our keynote speaker was Sylvia DeLoach and she kept us in stitches while giving some very powerful tips about Loving God with All our Minds! At some point during the message, Sylvia made reference to the Sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12 – and I decided to read more about them. It turns out that the context of the passage brought great encouragement to me and I hope it will to you as well!
David was anointed King by God – called to office – but he had to wait a long time before he actually stepped into that role. When the time came, God sent warriors from all over to join David.
I love the words used to describe the men God sent to help David achieve what God had appointed him to do: armed warriors, able, brave, ready for battle, famous, designated by name, those who understood the times and knew what to do, experienced, prepared, fully determined. And to top it all off, they came with plentiful supplies! It is clear that God rallied all the troops – literally – to make happen what He purposed to happen.
I especially love this passage:
“We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success,success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.”
1 Chronicles 12:18
In the waiting, it can often seem like we are alone. The enemy would like to convince us that God has forgotten or that He never called us in the first place. But we must stay true to the calling God has placed on our lives and trust that He will bring it to fruition at His appointed time. He has all the resources and He will make it happen – we are only to be faithful each step of the way.
“When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen.”
Isaiah 60:22
His plans are always on time and He will provide all we need!
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8
by wendy | Aug 9, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Our Sunday School lesson last week focused on the story of Elijah and his announcement of a Great Drought. (1 Kings 17) Elijah was a prophet of God and his calling required him to call out the sin of the people. When Elijah announced that there would be no rain or dew in the land for several years, he was simply reminding the people of a consequence of their sin – the refusal to acknowledge God as their sustainer. A drought in the land was divine punishment that would affect the fertility of the land and cause a famine. The very people that refused to give God the credit for producing the rain would find out in a very real way just how powerful God was.
Sometimes things dry up as a result of sin.
Our God is a God of mercy and grace and He does allow things to dry up as a result of our sin and disobedience. When this happens, it is painful – but it is not permanent! God’s love is so great that He would rather see us suffer for a time in order to bring us to repentance and a right relationship with Him than to allow us to be separated from Him eternally. He longs for us to turn from sin and to run to Him.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Elijah’s announcement of drought for the people meant that the source of water would be drying up for him as well. I wonder if Elijah had concerns as he proclaimed the punishment. But God had plans for His servant, and He sent Elijah to a brook where he would find water to drink and birds to bring him food. Relying on ravens to feed him must have required a great deal of faith, but imagine how Elijah must have also marveled at the clear water that flowed through that stream during a drought!
Have you ever found yourself in a season where you were abundantly aware of the blessings poured out on you? When God places His hand of protection and provision upon you in the midst of difficulty in the world, it can be extremely faith-building. I imagine that Elijah gained strength in that time – and he would need it! When you find yourself in that place, be intentional about your praise and gratitude – be purposeful about cooperating with God to grow and strengthen your faith – and be prepared for what is to come!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Sometimes things dry up to cause us to move.
Wouldn’t it be glorious to stay in that place? Drinking from the clear, flowing water, eating food dropped from the sky, resting and hiding from the troubles of the world – just you and God and nature. Elijah might have been content to stay there forever, but he wasn’t functioning in his calling there. God used that time to strengthen and sustain and grow Elijah, but the time came when God was ready to use him again – so He dried up Elijah’s source of water and told him to move!
It often comes a surprise – and not a happy one. The stream of income dries up. The sweet friendship dries up. The desire to create dries up. The opportunity of a lifetime dries up. Whatever it is – the thing that has quenched your thirst or fed your soul – it just goes away, it stops, it dries up. And its not because that thing was bad, or because you did something wrong – it may simply be time to move on. It may be time to get back to work – doing that thing that God has called you to do.
“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
1 Kings 17:7-9
Let’s not miss the order of events here! First, the brook dried up – then, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer it to be the other way around. I like for God to give me directions first so I can feel comfortable with the way things go down, but this is not usually how God operates.
“God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.”
Rick Warren
God wants us to develop confidence in Him. The more we learn to trust in Him, the more effective we can be in following Him and doing the work He has called us to do.
Sometimes things dry up to increase our faith.
Each step God led Elijah through increased his understanding of God, of God’s character, and of God’s power. God commanded natural elements (rain and flowing water) as well as animals (ravens) to provide for Elijah’s needs. Once Elijah was confident in that provision, God moved him to a place where he could see God work in a different way – through a desperate widow with free will. Each of these instances grew Elijah’s faith and confidence in order to prepare him for the next thing.
Sometimes things dry up to increase the faith of others.
One might assume that just because Elijah was a prophet that he always viewed things through a lens of faith. But let us not forget that Elijah was a man. When God dries up what seems like a good thing in my life, I tend to wonder, “Why me – why now?” It often takes hindsight to see that it was never all about me in the first place!
The widow that God sent Elijah to was an unlikely candidate to provide anything for him. She was without a provider herself and laden with responsibility for her child. She was down to her last hope, seemingly without any options. No income, no food, no family, no rain – and she had accepted the fact that she and her son would die. This woman did not know God. She was worthless in the eyes of the world – but God saw her and loved her. God used the widow to provide food for His prophet and He used Elijah to provide hope for her! God could have accomplished both completely on His own but He chose to invite them to witness and participate in His work – and He does the same for us!
Oh that I may have eyes to see God moving, a heart to love as He loves, and a spirit willing to be used.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
What is drying up in your life? Spend some time in prayer, seeking God and His direction. Ask Him the following questions:
- Is there sin in my life that begs for repentance?
- Is God asking me to move (physically, emotionally, spiritually)?
- Am I cooperating with God’s desire to grow my faith? Am I trusting Him to protect and provide?
- Is God using my situation to grow the faith of someone else? Am I willing to be used by God?
Whatever is happening – turn your eyes upon Him. Let go and allow Him to work in whatever way He will. You can be certain that He is working for your good and new things are on the horizon!
”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18
by wendy | Jul 29, 2021 | BarnaBus - Scattering Seeds of Encouragement, Direction, Trusting God
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
Jerry and I are converting a school bus into a tiny home on wheels! This isn’t a new thing in our lives – we have been researching and planning for over a year and we actually began the conversion process several months ago – but we only recently began to share the process. The response from friends and family has been wildly mixed – some think we have lost our minds and others are living their dreams out vicariously through our adventure. And an adventure it is! This project is unique, difficult, frustrating, and exciting all in one. But the best part of the story for us is that we believe we are following God’s plan for our lives in this season and we love watching Him at work.
Building a bus requires planning ahead and thinking through each step in advance. Even though we are nowhere near ready to build the bathroom, we realized that we needed to know what size shower we would use before building anything else. The drain has to work around the wheel wells and fuel tank, so the placement of the shower base determines everything else in the bus. We have been discussing all kinds of solutions, but they are expensive and will still need to be modified to fit into a bus!
Yesterday, we set out to visit a truck salvage yard in search of a seat for the passenger (another thing that will determine placement of other things!) Unfortunately, the salvage yard didn’t have what we needed, so we decided to make use of the trip by checking out the Habitat Restore. It was near closing time, but we quickly browsed the store and a young man that worked there asked if we needed help. We explained that we were looking for shower stalls and he directed us out back to see what was in stock. It only took a moment to realize that all of their shower stalls were too large for the bus, so we made our way back in. He checked on us again and asked if we found what we needed. As we described our bus project, he immediately agreed that they had nothing that would fit.
Jerry and I continued to browse – we are looking for lots of things right now – and suddenly the young man reappeared with a bewildered expression.
”Are you faithful people?” He asked. “Do you pray? Who is this bus for?”
We weren’t quite sure what this kid was asking, but Jerry replied, “Yes we pray.”
“The bus is for us,” I answered, “But we are hoping it will include a ministry, so I guess it is for God too! Why?”
The boy still looked incredulous. “Because a man just pulled up out back and he is donating a shower the exact size you are looking for!”
Jerry and I chuckled and followed him out back to check out our new shower. We are always in awe of God’s provision – but not surprised. He has a way of showing up at just the right time. We were blessed by the shower – but the best part of the whole experience was watching the faith of the young man that discovered it for us! As he helped us load the shower into our car (remember we weren’t expecting to buy a shower stall that day!) I reminded him that if God provided the shower then He would certainly make a way for it to fit – and it did!
In my Instagram post, I noted that we must be building the bus for God – or maybe He is building the bus for us – but I truly believe He is building this bus for His work and for HIs glory. We just get the privilege of participating!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
by wendy | May 17, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
“What are your plans if the house sells quickly?”
This question is asked of us nearly every day since our house went on the market. We always respond with a smile and a shrug.
”We don’t know.”
The answer rolls off our tongue easily, but the weight of the question bears down just a little more each time. We don’t know. We are trusting God. We are taking it day by day. We are trying to be content and confident – waiting on the Lord.
But the question – the world – begs us to be anxious, fearful, discontent.
“I have learned the secret of being content whatever the circumstances.”
Philippians 4:11
The word “content” in Greek is autárkēs and it means self-sufficient because of the indwelling power of God. His power in me enables me to be content. I have what I need. I am okay. I am not in trouble.
I am God-sufficient.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
I can remain content (God-sufficient) through any situation and even suffering through the power of God that dwells in me.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I can remain content (satisfied and confident) because I am not dependent on my own strength or on my circumstances. It is God’s power that provides the strength I need.
Did that seem repetitive? I need the repetition – the reminder – the assurance!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
When I am discontent (not satisfied or confident) it is because I feel I am lacking something. God reminds us that we have everything we need for a godly life – through our knowledge of Him.
When I find my soul growing discontent from the world‘s questions, I can ask myself these questions:
1. Am I lacking something I need to live a godly life – or is what I am lacking an earthly desire?
This is often a tough one to answer. Is my lack something I need or something I want? How can the lack I feel connect me even more deeply with the One who provides? Can I lean in more fully? Can I trust Him more? Can I learn to wait in Him? Can I practice obedience in the midst of suffering? Can I learn to be content (satisfied and confident) in His sufficiency?
2. Do I really know God and understand His power?
My discontent often stems from worry – and worry stems from lack of trust. Though my circumstances may seem out of control or hopeless, God, who is all-powerful, is still reigning and ruling and has not lost control. I love this biblically-based statement that Emily P. Freeman often recites from her friend and author, James Bryan Smith.
“I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the unshakeable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I.”
James Bryan Smith
When I find my soul discontented, I need to remind my soul that I know who God is and I believe that He has all that I need.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
3. Am I trusting that God will provide for my needs?
This has been an important question for me lately. When I recognize the restless impatience growing inside of me, I know that it is a waning trust. Here is how I combat that emotion:
I name it. I call it what it is and then I call it out. I stop the doubt and worry in its tracks.
I ask for help. I call upon the power of God within me to change my heart and mind.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
I rename it. “Lord I put my trust in you.” I choose to proclaim the truth even when I don’t feel it.
I act on it. I choose to live according to what I believe!
4. Am I living in a way that demonstrates that trust by learning to be content?
What does it look like to live according to what I believe? I wish it looked effortless and easy, but – for me – its a little more like stumbling and scrambling along a rocky path grabbing for whatever I can hold onto. My flesh wants to worry, my mind wanders off the trail, my heart is nearly always faint. But I cling to the truth and God hems me in and compels me forward. Each step further strengthens me and teaches me to trust Him more.
My fervent hope is that those walking just a bit behind might draw encouragement from watching the work God does in my life and that they might learn to walk in His power too.
Is your soul discontent? Is the world asking you questions that beg you to be anxious? Ask yourself these questions instead and remind your soul that God is good!
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5
by wendy | Apr 12, 2021 | By Chance, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Godly Relationships
Chance and Letti
My son’s dog, Chance, has an affinity for running away. I truly don’t think he wants to actually leave his people, he just seems to enjoy his freedom. Unfortunately, Chance doesn’t understand the dangers that come along with being separated from those that care for him.
Whenever Chance takes off on one of his adventures, my son tries to catch him by calling and following and coaxing to no avail. Chance treats the whole ordeal like a game and continues to run further away – at times wandering into the road several miles from home. After the last overnight excursion, my son decided to try a new approach. He asked his friend to bring his dog, Letti – Chance’s best dog friend – by to see if he might respond to her. When Chance saw Letti, he immmediately came to her and happily followed her into the house. Letti served as the encourager and ambassador, leading Chance back to the safe place of his loving master’s arms.
When I heard the story of how Letti “rescued” Chance, it immediately reminded me that we have the opportunity to be a Letti to so many people. Many run from God, not because they don’t believe or don’t want to be in relationship with Him, but simply because they don’t understand His love and they desire freedom. They don’t realize the dangers of being separated from Him.
People are often drawn back into relationship with the Lord through relationship with other people. God uses us to demonstrate His love and kindness to them so that they will follow us into the safe place of our loving master’s arms. When we develop a relationship with those that are not a part of the church or not in relationship with Jesus, we invite them to experience Him as we do. What a wonderful privilege to have that kind of influence that can help to save a person from being lost.
We can choose how we want to be involved in the lives of a runner like Chance. We can be apathetic – turn a blind eye and let him make his own choices, we can be tolerant – celebrate his free spirit and applaud his courage to go out on his own, or we can be compassionate – aware that his choices could result in permanent separation from his master and even death. Let us choose to be like Letti – standing beside our master and welcoming them to come back home!
My dear brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20
by wendy | Mar 22, 2021 | Encouragement For Your Heart, Uncategorized
Excerpt from “A Cup of Encouragement” 2007
As I was driving through the Village of Palmyra one day, I began thinking about the new construction that was going on. Apparently, the old bridge that crossed the Rivanna River had become weak and a new bridge was being built. Off in the distance, away from the main road, the work had begun on the new bridge. It was hard to imagine that the road could even connect to that bridge; it seemed so far off the path. I had always used the bridge that I was driving on now and thinking about a change was difficult. Even though I knew in my head that a new bridge would be better, I was comfortable on my same old bridge.
After many months of construction, the new bridge was complete. The connecting road was made and the path to the old bridge was blocked off. It was uncomfortable to make the turn onto the new road, since I had driven the old path so many times, but after weeks of practice, the new became comfortable.
The old road was destroyed and broken up, grass began to grow in its place, and it was sometimes difficult to imagine that it was even there. There were remnants that gave it away though, and every once in a while, the old memories of driving on that bridge enter my mind. Though the new bridge is in a different place, it still leads me to the same destination. Though the old way had become weak and no longer worked to get me where I needed to go, a new way was made for me so that I am still able to continue on. I am thankful now for that new way.
God has a plan, a direction for our lives. He will make a way for us. If the old way, the way we are used to becomes weak and not longer works, He will make a new way. Often, we don’t want to let go of our old ways since they are comfortable. It can be hard to let go of something that has been in our lives for a long time. But God knows when the old is no longer working and He begins in advance to prepare the new way for us. Once the connecting road has been made, it is up to us to change our direction.
There will always be memories of the old way, even after the grass has begun to grow, but we should be thankful for the One who loves us and creates a way that gets us to our destination. We must determine which is more important, the path we travel or the destination. Let the Lord lead you in the new paths of your life. Don’t cling to the old, but embrace the new. He will bring you back to the plan, the direction He has for your life.
“For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.”
Proverbs 2:8-9
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8
by wendy | Jan 11, 2021 | Encouragement For Your Heart, Uncategorized
In my lifetime I cannot recall such a time of extended corporate suffering and grief. It seems that we are being attacked from every angle these days. Godly people with strong faith are not exempt – in fact they are perhaps more highly aware of the effects of these times on their very souls. Whether we are more sensitive to the political climate, the isolation of the pandemic, or the financial strain of an ever-changing economic culture, most of us are affected by some type of suffering and grief. So how are we – as believers – to respond?
We can respond to suffering and grief by resting in His Word.
It is difficult to rest in something you don’t know or don’t believe in. Spending time in God’s Word helps us to know Him, to understand Him, to rest in Him. We can become confident in His truth when we hide it in our hearts and we see it play out in our lives. There is comfort in knowing and acknowledging the power and sovereignty of God.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15
We can respond to suffering and grief by reminding our soul.
I have always strongly identified with the words of Luke 2:19, “Mary treasure up all these things and pondered in her heart.”. I am also one who ponders – but I don’t always treasure the right thoughts. Colossians 4:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And then reminds us in verse 15 to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” When I ponder or treasure thoughts of anger, resentment, rejection, grief, and suffering, I am not encouraging my soul. It is not bad to have these thoughts and feelings – in fact we should pour them out honestly to God – but we must not allow ourselves to ponder them. Instead, we need to remind our own soul how faithful God is.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5
We can respond to suffering and grief by remaining in relationship with Him.
David reminds us, in Psalm 139 that “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows what we think and feel without us telling Him, but we demonstrate that we trust Him with our hearts when we pour it out to Him. Knowing that God knows and sees us is wonderful, but inviting Him to know and see us – and to lead us – is even more powerful. We enter into, and remain in relationship with Him when we cooperate with the work He is doing in our hearts.
In the beginning of Psalm 139 David acknowledges that God searches him and knows him. It is a psalm of praise, awe, and even submission. In the last couple of verses of 139, David uses similar language. “Search me, God, and know my heart.” Notice the shift from acknowledgement to a request for more. David asks God to search him – examine him – and to lead him. There is now more than acknowledgement and submission to authority – there is cooperation and a desire to be searched, known, and led. David embraces God’s perspective and power as he makes a huge step from wonder to willingness.
”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-34
We can respond to suffering and grief in love.
It may seem out of place to expect a response of love in the midst of our own suffering, but this is the power of God and His Word. Not that we will avoid it all, but that we are transformed as we respond to that suffering and grief by filling our hearts and minds with the knowledge of Him. When we submit our thoughts and feelings to God in faith – He can move us to action through that faith. And what does that action look like? It always looks like love.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6b
My friend, my prayer for you today is that you will treasure all of this up in your heart and ponder God’s great love for you. -and may you respond in love today.
by wendy | Nov 17, 2020 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Jerry’s company car reached the required mileage recently and he was delighted to pick up a new lease today. As he travels, he is learning all of the different features – such as the “lane adjust”. If he attempts to change lanes without a signal, it assumes he is drifting accidentally and the car gives him a slight nudge back toward his lane. This seems like it will be a great feature to keep him alert!
I am grateful that the Holy Spirit also provides a “lane adjust” for us. He gives us that slight nudge when we are getting out of our lanes, but He also does so much more. God guides us as we move through life and helps us to know where to turn, when to switch lanes, and when to pause. This is that “guided drift” I have written about before – and it is precisely why we need to be alert and dependent upon God throughout our journey.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!“
1 Chronicles 16:11
Allow God to guide
In order to receive the full benefit from God’s presence in our lives, we must submit to Him and seek His direction constantly. Jerry and I pray together – inviting God to interrupt our plans and lead us in His. We renew our minds and train ourselves to recognize His leading by studying His Word. And we also seek wise counsel by talking with other godly people about our life and our journey.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be alert for His guidance
Just like that nudge from Jerry’s new car, we must be alert for nudges from the Holy Spirit. These are evidence of God’s guidance and they might include a still small voice from inside us, a Scripture that speaks to our hearts, words from a friend, or a change in circumstance. Whatever the avenue, we should be looking and listening and taking all things to Him in prayer.
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”
Psalm 32:8
Adjust as directed by God
We might get a strong clear mandate from the Lord – like Saul, or Moses, or even Balaam, or we might get a whisper that is difficult to discern. But either way, we must be willing to shift and pivot as the Holy Spirit moves us. Obedience is key to a straight path – but we also need to allow ourselves grace as God gives us grace. Even if we miss the nudge – even if we ignore the direction – even if we take a different route, our God is a god of second chances. All roads lead home if we turn our hearts to Him!
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Unknown Author
It often seems like our decisions are detrimental, but many times our “choices” will have the same outcome. We can decide – will we take the long, slow way, or choose the swift and rocky ride? Life is an adventure and with God as our guide, we are guaranteed to finish well!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
by wendy | Nov 10, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Trusting God
We have beautiful old trees in our yard – Maple, Poplar, Oak. Spring is full of promise with the buds starting to emerge, summer provide a canopy of shade, and fall gives us color – red, yellow, orange! But autumn also reminds me that those leaves will soon be falling and our trees will be bare. The seasons come and go and when it is time, the trees have to let go.
I am perhaps even more aware of the season of letting go now as I write about seeking direction. As I stand in church and sing, “Wherever He leads I’ll go” I picture all of the wonderful adventures to which He will guide me, but I rarely picture the surrender that is necessary. In our current venture, Jerry and I are learning this more and more as we feel called to downsize – our stuff, our commitments, and our financial obligations – to “get ready.”
But letting go is hard! Even when we want change, even when we don’t like our current circumstances, letting go is counterintuitive. We tend to cling to what we know and what we understand. God often calls us to let go before we know what He has in store for us next – He asks for our trust and our obedience.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
God calls us to let go of the past.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
Why is it that we don’t want to let go of the past? We hang on to the memories and things that could have been like our lives depend on it. But our lives truly depend on letting go and letting God do a new thing! Ask God what He would have you let go of from before and let your eyes look instead to the future and the hope He has for you.
God calls us to let go of the worries.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6
The opposite of worry is trusting God. When we hold onto our worries, we are claiming that we don’t believe He is able and that He will do good. The Bible tells us that He will do more than we can imagine, but somehow we still believe that it is all up to us. Often it seems that God waits for us to let go of our worries before He shows us just how mighty He is!
God calls us to let go of our sin.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
Ephesians 4:31
Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that the responsibility of letting go of your sin rests solely on you. This verse says, “Let it be put away from you.” This is a passive verb and it implies that someone else – God – will remove the sin and put it away from you. But the job you have is to “Let it.” Let it go. Simply open your heart and open your hands and release it to God. Ask Him for forgiveness and ask Him to take it. Let go. It is a process and I find it happens in layers for me – but God blesses us in the midst of it all.
God calls us to let go of our activities.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. “
John15:1-2
Sometimes God calls us to let go of the good stuff we are doing. It can be very hard to understand this – after all we are doing good – but we need to remember His purpose. He wants us to be more fruitful. When God asks us to let go of a job or a ministry or a mission, we can trust that He has something better in mind. When we fight against Him to hold onto these “good things” we can be sure we are doing them for the wrong reasons. God sees the big picture and He is working everything together for good.
God calls us to let go of our treasures.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Why does God care so much about our treasure? We have only to read the last line of this passage to understand – it’s all about our hearts. God wants our hearts to be with Him and He loves us too much to let us bury it with useless treasure. If your treasure is money, or things, or even people – let go. That doesn’t necessarily mean you will lose those things, sometimes God just wants us to see that our treasure doesn’t have to hold us. A heart that is not tied to earthly things is one that can go anywhere God directs.
Letting go can be scary. Looking down at the pile of bright beautiful leaves beneath our feet can make us want to scoop them all up and hang them up again. But remember, those leaves will be dry and crunchy soon – withered and dead. We need only to trust that Spring will soon come and new buds will emerge.
Let go and wait! See what the Lord will do!
“See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Isaiah 42:9
