Sometimes we get so caught up in our heads, in the toughts about tomorrow, replaying the events of yesterday, or just thinking about what to do in the next ten minutes. I don’t know if you have this problem, but it’s one that I struggle with daily. I’m a thinker, and I evaluate, calculate, and analyse everything. Somtimes it’s hard to make my brain stop. How can I possibly hear anything with all of that racket going on in my mind?
I have a lot on my mind. I’m sure you all can relate to that. But what I really want is to hear the Lord and to listen to His sweet voice saying everything is going to be okay. I want to hear what He has to say about tomorrow and today. I feel like He has a lot to say, but I just have a hard time listening.
Did you quiet yourself today and allow the Lord to speak?
In the moments that I let Him speak to me, He spoke volumes. Here are some of the things that God spoke to me today.
Let’s begin with church. I was in a bit of a grumpy mood this morning. Let me just be honest; I was serving self-pity this morning. I allowed myself to be discouraged and feel abandoned because the roomates all left and I’m in this big empty house by myself. I tried to think my way out of it, but that did no good. When I got to church, some very cheerful and excited people sat next to me. I was not very cheerful or excited to be sitting next to them. I was stuck in my pout.
Fortunately for me, God had mercy on me today. Pastor Franklin shared a message that gave me a kick in the pants and got me on my feet praising the Lord. His message was that God’s not done yet; it doesn’t have to end this way. He talked about Joshua taking hold of his inheritance, and how he pressed on to the limits of what God had for him. Instead of sitting down at the first sign of opposition, he pressed on and expanded his territory to it’s maximum capacity.
Being in a state of transition myself, I needed to hear this. I know that God’s not done with me yet. This may be the end of my time here in Georgia, but I’m not done serving the Lord. I left this morning encouraged to stand up and press on to the land that lays before me. I’m only in the beginning of my territory, and I will not lay down and quit until I’ve reached the farthest limits of the inheritance God has for me.
Later in the day, I sat contemplating the choices that lay before me. I have one opportunity that is exciting and logical – a rare combination, and another that is less than exciting and makes no sense to my logical mind. It seems like that would be an easy choice, and it could be. I know that which ever path I choose, God will bless it and it will be good. But I also know that there is good, better, and best in God’s plans and I want the best. And knowing that God does not work the way the world works, I’m challanged by the possability that the least appealing option may indeed be God’s best in disguise. I know that I can not trust in what I see, but rather to have faith in God’s goodness and the unseen. I know from experience that the things we least want to do are often the very things we need to do the most.
The one thing that God spoke to me as I was seeking Him, was that it is time to fly. I can’t stay in the saftey of the nest and learn to fly. It’s time to stretch out my wings and take a chance.
We have a new group of soon to be World Racers here in Goergia right now for their training camp. I decided to stop by for the worship session tonight. It’s always a great place to get in the presense of the Lord. While I was there, they paired everybody off and had us speak words of encouragement from the Lord to eachother and then we swithched a few times.
My first partner told me that she sees me as one who reaches out. She said that I am like the arm of God reaching out and bringing people in toward His heart. It’s as though I walk around with outstretched arms, gathering people in. This especially spoke to me as I have become quite the hugger. Even in church this morning, I went out of my way to embrace three young women who gave their hearts to the Lord today. I think because my family aren’t big huggers, I just decided to make up for it. So now I hug everybody. Most of the girls I work with at Starbucks have come to expect it. I like this image of me, it fits.
My second partner said that she saw me surrounded by a cloud of peace. That everywhere I go I will bring peace. Even when I am filled with turmoil inside, I will bring peace to wherever I set my feet. I am learning a lot about resting in the peace of the Lord no matter what is happening around me. I hope that maybe I can bring some to you too.
My third partner told me that God is going to provide for all of my needs. The things that are unknown to me are already known to Him and He will bring them to pass. He will provide what seems to be lacking. Of course if you know anything about my current transition, you know that this is definately relevant to my circumstances. And by the way, this girl knew nothing of me of my situation. She just listened to what God was speaking to her for me.
I guess God had a lot to say to me today, but I suspect He has a lot to say everyday if I would only slow down, quiet my mind and listen. I encourage you to do the same.
What is God speaking to you today? What direction does He have for your life, or how is He wanting to encourage you?
