Wednesday, February 22, 2012

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

"The Hub" and I are facing a rather big decision.

And I have no desire to take one step out of His will. (I've done that before - it doesn't work out so well...!)

So I have been seeking after God's direction and guidance.

It's been hard to find peace.

I shared a while back that I have been looking for a *sign*. Does this mean yes? Does that mean no? It was driving me crazy - waiting for a tangible direction to pursue. This mindset just wasn't working for me.

I finally had a conversation with God one day about a week ago. I told Him that I was going to move forward, and that I totally had faith that He could, and He would, stop us if the direction we were heading was not in His plan for us.

I felt peace almost instantly.

I realized that waiting for a *sign* was in some way relying on my own understanding. I was depending on my ability to interpret God's revelation of His will.

But when I switched gears - when I stepped out in faith, trusting God to then lead one way or the other - things changed inside of me. Now, instead of putting the burden on my shoulders, I am trusting God's ability to lead, not my ability to understand.

It's a subtle difference - but it's made all the difference in the world.

I am trusting God to get me or keep me where I belong.

I thought this would be a good time to re-post something I wrote early on in my blog history (July 8, 2010). It's a message that I need to hear again...


PEACE FOR THE JOURNEY


Monday I went to a barbecue given by one of my friends.

It was the first time that I had met any of her family. They were wonderful. They treated me as if they'd known me all of their lives – they treated me like…well, like family! I felt the same way.

My friend comes from a large family. I enjoyed my time visiting with her sister, and brothers, and all the others. And yes, OK, the food was delicious!! I ate enough for a small battalion a small battalion of giants, maybe! But the highlight of my evening was spending time talking with my friend's mother.

What a precious woman of God, what a delightfully happy soul.

She and I talked about many things – and the name of Jesus wove through our conversation like a thread pulling all our thoughts together. She had a phrase that she kept repeating – it was like her little faith motto. And I just loved it

"You know, Sharon, God’s gonna get you where He wants you to be!"

When I got home that night, I couldn't get that out of my mind.

Sometimes I fret about my future (read…most of the time). I have so many expectations, hopes, dreams, and yes, fears about what's going to happen. I can get really worked up about it all. I feel impatient sometimes – sometimes excited, sometimes anxious.

I feel everything but peace it seems. Like it's "all up to me!" Like I'm a human "Garmin"I am in control of the direction of my life. Turn here, turn there, speed up, slow down…go, stop…merge, pass, and whatever you do, DON'T CRASH!!

How silly!

I'm not really in control of my life at all. And truth be told, I don't really want to be. I liked it better when I was a little girl. My parents took responsibility for me. They made my decisions. They fed me and clothed me. They took care of my needs. They loved me freely, and all I had to do was love them back – because I trusted them.

I want to be like that with God.

Total trust, total peace – totally free to just love Him back.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good…to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)


OK, Lord.

After all, You’re gonna get me where You want me to be!


Linked today with Joan at the GRACE CAFE


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

11 comments:

  1. Sharon - I needed to read this today. Only yesterday, as I drove to work, I was praying to God about a certain direction for my life and wondering why I seemed to be "straddling the fence" on a decision I need to make. Just when I thought that I had the answer, I recevied an email from our women's ministry director that seemed to point me in the opposite direction. But that is the key, "I" thought. Like you, I need to step out in faith and obedience and leave the rest to God. He will direct my path.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Living in faith and obedience will always lead us along the path the Lord has for us. Glad you are experiencing His peace about this decision now.
    Blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  3. (sorry, just not use to these public Mexican computers yet, please fix my removed comments by deleting forever-trash'em)

    Blessings Sharon,

    OK, this and your email convince me and I too have "peace for your journey" and DECISION!

    If you recall in my words to you also mentioned that if you have a PEACE about it than that's from God... if not, you're going against His flow. So clearly you did check out my various *angles* and have come to peace... I'm glad that you are stepping out in FAITH and pray that God's nudge or stop, is noticed since you are sensing PEACE for this journey... but remember you wrote this 2 yrs. ago not this year (kidding)... probably about something you were asking God's guidance and direction though. Thankful the burden lifted (and all the support of wise family members) that you are confident in your decision, step, direction and trust that God will stop you (yet once again, I must remind you (I know I'm such a devil's advocate-that's so bad), sometimes God allows us to follow our own ways to learn something or teaches us something along the way... just stay in touch with Him and the Godly counsel you're receiving. May PEACE win and reign in your heart and mind.

    Love, peace and (((hugs)))
    Peggy

    ReplyDelete
  4. That control "thing" is something I continually struggle with, I want a plan or at least know what the plan is. We think we have control....we don't.
    Your post was a good reminder to me and something I need to "hear" today
    Praying that you will continue to have that peace

    ReplyDelete
  5. I apologize if this gets posted twice but my computer or blogger one seems to be doing something strange. While the difference in wording is subtle, the difference in approach makes a huge difference. I found myself having to learn to trust that God can make His way known to be clearly.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is my hardest time with him too - like no direct answer - so stop me if I am wrong. Sandie with love.

    ReplyDelete
  7. oh yes! And don't we try to squirm and wiggle our way into 'seeing what God has in mind for us', when in reality, it's as you said, step out in faith and let HIM show you yes or no. His most casual signal is more true and right on than any of my human wonderings as I am wandering. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Peace in whatever we do or don't do, stepping out in faith or waiting, so many decisions and the older we get, the more we don't want to make decisions without His leading. Smart. Finally.
    Great post and so thoughtful. Thanks for sharing. Stopping by through Grace Cafe.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi milady! Taking a little break from playing catch-up on the work front to play catch-up on the blog front! I took 5 days off last week to visit with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandbaby and now I'm totally swamped! The end of the month is this week and I've got far too much that should be done that is not done.

    Trying to do just as you have encouraged above with this post - my favorite of what you've put up this week and a Word fit for my season! One day at a time - one pile at a time - one paper at a time - one bill at a time - by faith - moving forward - one step at a time. Before I know it, it will be the week after next and I shall be able to breathe - my deadlines will be past and I know God will bring me through it - he's brought me to it!

    Mary Poppins was fun - but she did clog the machine a bit preparing for her. So glad you visited - hope you saw the Kenzerella post about grandbaby!

    Joy!
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  10. This was a wonderful post to read tonight. I feel as if I've been on that journey a bit with you. (Since this post is about five days old, I think it's safe to say that) I love the word of wisdom that your friend gave to you about this decision.

    You know, friend... I think it applies to other journeys we've been discussing too. He will get us where He wants us to be.

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)