“If the wind goes where you send it, so will I.”
We can hear songs or see phrases like this and think it automatically means another country. We can think that drastic or extremes are the only things that matter, or that God sees.
We can also get our personal desires confused with what God is sharing with us. Sometimes He tells us things we don’t want to hear. Maybe because it’s something we don’t want to do. Somewhere we don’t want to live. Sometimes we are just scared to step outside our comfort zone. Sometimes we are called to stay, but we don’t want to, because it’s where we grew up and it’s not exciting.
Matt and I have been really trying to learn the art of listening to our Father. In our two years of marriage we have lived in 3 different states/countries. Some places were much more enjoyable than others. Some places were hard. Sometimes weather is just awful. Sometimes you don’t feel like you have the best community. Some places you can’t even speak the same language as the people around you haha.
BUT in each of those places God taught us something totally different. Each of those places came with hardships and joys. Each of those places were needed to draw us closer to the heart of our father and each other.
When it comes to location we are pretty good at listening and going. We have learned that it’s not about a places beauty or amount of coffee shops, or disc golf fields. It’s not about what the place has to offer us, but what we have to offer. How can we help? How can Jesus use us here? How can we best honor the Lord with our time? Saying Jesus, you know us… just help us use what you have given us.
“If the wind goes where you send it so will I”
This is where it gets harder for us. Both of us like to see a need and take care of it. We both definitely have different ways of doing it #marriage, but each of us like to help and get things done. Where we struggle is stopping to pray before we “fix” something. We tend to do what WE think needs to happen, not necessarily what God is wanting to happen. We are going to 11 different countries. God already knows where what city we will be in and what we will be doing. He already has people on His mind for us to talk to. Isn’t that amazing? Please pray that we would be faithful in being still and listening. Asking His way to do things and not trusting on our own understanding. We have fallen flat on our faces enough times to know that His way is ALWAYS better.
Please pray with us.
Sometimes Jesus might be telling us to go find a red door and knock.
Pray that we listen, trust and obey.
One day the Lord might be telling us to walk instead of taking the bus.
Pray that we listen, trust and obey.
Why are the “little” things sometimes harder? Sometimes things won’t seem logical. Taking a bus is much faster which means more time sharing with or helping people.
Rapha means “Be still”
That’s hard, but that is our desire. To be still before the Lord, and be open to what HE wants. Not what way is the easiest. Not the way that is the most efficient. Not the place that is the most beautiful or desirable or that will “feed” us the most.
Pray that we desire what He desires. Pray that our hearts are so connected to His. Pray that our team would be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that we won’t miss ANY opportunities that Jesus has for us.
Pray that would we trust each other as a team. Pray that we would live up to our team name, be still and listen.
Matt and I pray for all of you also. Because this happens just as much right where we are currently at. Maybe all you can think about doing is leaving, but you know that He is calling you to stay. To plant roots and invest in the people around you.
Maybe Jesus has called you to go, but you are having a hard time leaving and trusting His plan.
Maybe the Lord has put a name on your heart and you can’t stop thinking about them. Invite them over for dinner.
Maybe you know a way you would like to be involved in your church but you are too scared to bring it up. The list goes on and on.
We serve a God who is so much greater than our fears. We serve a God who desires personal relationship with us. He is so good.
I believe in you. Take the leap.
Jesus,
Wow, we love you. Thank you so much for caring. Thank you so much for challenging us to be more and more like you. Thank you for grace when we fail. I pray that you will help us to stop, be still and listen. I pray that we would desire your voice above any other. I pray that you would help us to be bold. You’re a good, good father and we are so thankful for your love.
The Ledfords
