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
by wendy | Nov 3, 2020 | By Chance, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Trusting God
As you may remember from an earlier post, My son, Carter, recently adopted a dog he named Chance. Carter was told the pup was rescued from a hurricane in Texas and he does demonstrate some qualities of having experienced trauma. But every week that goes by testifies to the power of love, as Chance becomes healthier, more trusting, and certainly more playful. Aside from his sometimes timid temperament, Chance also behaves very much like a puppy – and Carter is learning some parenting skills along the way!
Our family gathered last weekend to celebrate my mom’s birthday, and Carter brought Chance along. Our sweet old dog, Sam, who is grieving the loss of Rover, was delighted to have company and Chance was very well behaved – for the most part. After he had warmed up to his environment, Carter let his puppy play off-leash. My other son had brought a dog as well and the three were keeping each other entertained.
After a while though – once Chance had tested his boundaries a bit – he began to wander further and further. He discovered wonderful sights and smells – including a pile of dog poop, which he immediately decided he would like to wear – so he rolled in it! It must have delighted him because he seemed proud of his new attire. It was on his back, on his tummy, even on his head and collar! Yuck!
Carter quickly put Chance’s leash back on and led him over to the hose to wash him off. I was impressed with the way my son talked to his dog – firmly but lovingly – as he reassured him that even though he didn’t like the bath, it would be okay. He tenderly dried him as best he could with some old towels and then brought him back into the circle where he could be loved on. I am sure that Chance received the washing as discipline, even though it was what was best for him – and everyone else who could smell him.
I smiled at the picture God was showing me as my son took care of his puppy. We so often choose to be just like Chance – intentionally indulging in sinful behavior because it seems good to us at the time. I love the way our Father draws us back in and gently washes us clean – because of His great love for us! And then – also a demonstration of His love – He keeps us close to Him for a while knowing our penchant for repeating behavior over and over again. He is so good!
Hebrews 12:4-11 reminds us of this truth:
God disciplines the one He loves.
Love is an interesting word in our modern society. So many people choose to believe that love is letting someone do whatever seems good to them. But God demonstrates true love for us. I have heard it said that God loves us just the way we are, but also loves us too much to let us stay that way! I am so thankful for that in my own life, and I love seeing it play out as my son loves his dog. If Carter were to let Chance do whatever he wanted, he simply would not survive (another story another time!) It’s true of us as well – God demonstrates His love for us by moving us away from our harmful behavior.
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Hebrews 12:5-6
God disciplines His true sons and daughters.
Chance didn’t start out knowing Carter – he was owned by several other people first – so it has taken some time to know that he is truly at home now. It is a joy to watch Carter take responsibility for his dog and to see Chance respond to that. Each day that Carter cares for his pup – and disciplines him – proves to Chance that he is truly loved and accepted. When we can understand and experience the precious love of God – even when it comes in the form of hardship and discipline – we too will find our home in him.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.”
Hebrews 12:7-8
God disciplines us for our good.
While rolling in dog poop might not have been the worst thing Chance could have done the other day, he is learning discipline for his good. Carter is teaching him to stay out of the road (protection), to come for his food and to eat healthy things (provision), and to stay by his side (submission). Each new thing Chance learns brings him closer to his master and friend and helps him to learn the ultimate lesson – how to accept his master’s love. We too are disciplined for our good, and though it is often hard to accept and understand, when we do it brings us close to our Father.
“We have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.”
Hebrews 12:9-10
God disciplines us so we can experience the best life.
Poor little Chance didn’t know it, but Carter gave him a bath so he could participate in the best things to come – spending time with his master and all the other people that love him. Our sin – just like the stinky stuff Chance rolled in – keeps us away from God and our brothers and sisters. When God washes us clean and brings us back close to him, we too have a “chance” to experience the best! Righteousness and peace are the best things in life because they allow us to stay in the presence of our Father and his people.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11
I could have never known what wonderful things would come into our lives by Chance! I look forward to the next lesson God has for us as He shows us a picture of His love through a little dog who has finally found his way home.
by wendy | Oct 24, 2020 | Encouragement, Godly Relationships, Tips for Encouraging Others
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
Ezra 10:4
1. Listen to their dreams.
I am a dreamer and a verbal processor. I am so grateful for my family and friends who have listened to my dreams throughout the years. I often need to express my dreams out loud and “try them on” in order to discern which I should actually follow up on. It can be scary to voice out loud the ideas that formulate in a creative brain, so be kind when you listen to a dreamer. Even if their plans seem outlandish and scary to you, understand that dreams are the stuff that fuel new inventions, successful businesses, and amazing ministries. When a dreamer shares a vision with you, they are trusting you with treasure from their very soul.
2. Pray with them and for them.
God gives us dreams and He gives us the ability to work out of those dreams. Prayer is important – for patience to wait for His timing, for strength to carry through, and for wisdom to know the right way. When you pray for a dreamer and their dreams, you are praying for God to intervene and bring His power, His wisdom, and His resources. When you pray with a dreamer, you implant courage and hope alongside their dream.
3. Be patient while they develop their dreams.
Dreams often take years to develop. They seem exciting and sudden in the beginning, but enthusiasm can die when the long process of working out the details and waiting for the right time dull that excitement. Ask about the dream periodically. Remind the dreamer you are still praying for them. Point out the ways you see God at work. As an encourager, you have the job of giving courage, hope, and inspiration when the tired dreamer is struggling.
4. Allow grace as they discern God’s direction.
Dreams are winding, foggy, uphill journey with many twists and turns. They rarely play out exactly as they seemed in the beginning. But with God’s direction, dreams develop into something bigger and better than the dreamer could have ever imagined! Encourage the dreamer to follow God’s leading even when it may seem to go off the path. Continue to lift them and their dream to God and allow grace to the dreamer and the dream when it is difficult to see the result. Encourage them to trust God and watch together to see where He is taking the dream.
5. Be supportive as they work out their dream.
Even as you pray and listen, there are also some practical ways you can support the dreamer:
- give financially to the dream
- prepare meals or help with the family while they work toward the dream
- brainstorm with the dreamer
- point to resources that might be helpful
- connect the dreamer with others that have a similar dream
- roll up your sleeves and work alongside
- share the dream with others (when it is appropriate)
by wendy | Oct 20, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Trusting God
In my original post about direction I said, “a plan is of no use without putting it into action!” How true! I am a dreamer – I often think about new directions, occasionally I even plan for a new direction, but it is rare that I put a plan into action. To be fair, not all plans should be followed, but when you have prayed, sought wise counsel, and planned, the next right step is to rise up and do it!
“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.“
Ezra 10:4
The Bible often uses the term rise up and I found many phrases in the concordance to help me dissect the command. Let’s examine a few!
1. to start, to make a move
I have often heard the illustration of steering a car as an example of why it is important to move for God to direct us. Have you ever tried to steer a car when it is in park? The wheels experience much more fiction when they are still, but as they roll the steering wheel is easily maneuvered. Nothing is impossible for God – He can certainly direct us while we are stationary – but He often waits for our obedience to rise up and He works with us in motion instead of against the friction of our resistance.
“Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”
1 Chronicle 28:10
2. to become powerful
Oh how we can experience the fullness of God’s power when we step into our calling! We may be hyper-aware of our own limitations and weakness as we walk through the planning process, but once we rise up to begin, we will get the amazing blessing of seeing God go to work through us!
“to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:19-20
3. to carry out or fulfill
The still small voice within us that will not be quiet – the calling – the vision – that is our marching orders. We are given a mission and it is up to us to carry that mission out. When we put a plan into action, we are fulfilling the good work God has appointed us to do!
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?”
Judges 4:14
As you prepare to rise up, I pray that you will know that God equips those He calls!
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21
And even more encouragement as you rise up!
“Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well.”
2 Chronicles 19:11
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
“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
by wendy | Oct 12, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Prayer, Trusting God
It may seem odd to plan as you seek direction. After all, the Scripture tell us:
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
This passage can lead us to believe that we should not make plans – but that is not the meaning here. In fact, God tells us over and over in the Word that it is wise for us to plan. It is when we consider our plans above Him and disregard His guidance that we find ourselves lost and confused. Let’s unpack that a little.
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”
James 4:13-16
Is James saying that planning where to go, where to live, and how to make money is evil? No – it is the boasting that is evil. When we are arrogant enough to assume that our plans are foolproof and without fail then we are considering ourselves above God. What then, does James recommend?
We must always understand that God’s will trumps all of our plans. Just as Proverbs 19:21 says, “God’s purpose will prevail.”
So why bother making plans if we are not certain of God’s purpose and will?
1.Making plans helps us to discern God’s will.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1
As we plan – and transform our minds by reading the Word, praying, seeking guidance – we will be able to test what His will is. We move forward with intention while remaining submissive to His guidance.
2. Making plans helps us to flesh out our own motives.
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.”
Proverbs 14:8
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:2
As I plan, it becomes more obvious what my motives are and gives me an opportunity to adjust my heart.
3. Making plans helps us to move in the direction of our calling.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
In an interview with Jordan Raynor about the Biography of Fred Rogers, “The Good Neighbor, The Life and Works of Fred Rogers”, Maxwell King explains the result of following the winding path of dreams and plans.
“I think he was a remarkably focused guy who was relentless in driving toward goals and objectives. He’s the one who kept narrowing the funnel and creating the focus and heading toward Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I think he made it happen through his very determined, intentional way of living.”
-Maxwell King, Jordan Raynor Podcast
Fred Rogers called this a “guided drift” and I love the picture that phrase creates for me. The thought of just drifting through life is somewhat hopeless, but the thought that I am being guided as I drift – well that is actually exciting! It suddenly removes the burden of thinking that I am entirely responsible to know my every step. In this line of thinking, I am free to move toward a goal with the assurance that God will move me as needed to hit the actual target! But it also reminds me that I need to be moving in the first place.
“Rogers had a term he loved to use when referring to discerning one’s calling. He called it “guided drift.” The idea was that, while it is good and wise to make plans, “one needed to live a life that was open to change,” led by the Holy Spirit.”
The Call to Create, Bible.com
As we plan – and set that plan into action – God helps us to “narrow the funnel” as King says above.
4. Making plans helps us to discover our gifts – and our weaknesses.
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?“
Luke 14:28
I am a dreamer and a visionary – and I believe God created me that way – but I also know that I need to step out of the dream and into the reality of a plan if I am ever to accomplish anything. I know that God will equip me to do whatever He calls me to do and sometimes the planning process helps me to recognize where my strengths and weakness lie and where I need to depend upon Him the most!
5. Making plans helps us rely on God’s power and provision.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3
The more I make plans the more I understand my own lack of power. God often asks us to do things beyond ourselves and that helps us to realize the need for His power and resources. As I begin to plan, I must ask God to guide and direct me and also to provide and act in order for the plan to be successful. Sometimes He will guide me toward a different plan and sometimes He will guide me toward the resources to accomplish the plan.
As you seek direction, first pray (continually); second seek wise counsel; and then make an intentional plan. One of my favorite parts of this grand adventure is to watch what amazing things God does with my meager plans – I pray that will become a joy for you as well!
