Saturday, January 19, 2013

Leap of Faith

Moving forward, especially into a new realm, isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be downright scary.

Over the past few years, I’ve lost a lot of family members. And one of my brothers has been battling metastatic cancer. The entire process has been painful—hard to adjust to—difficult for me to move on.

The night before my mother died, she told me, “You need to slow down, honey. Take care of yourself.”

Easier said than done.

Soon after, God impressed upon my heart that I should rest.

So I did.

This year, though, He’s nudging me in a new direction. I sense it has to do with my writing, but I have no idea where I’m going, except . . . forward. And I feel like a child wandering in the wilderness.

 

Yet part of me is excited. You know, to finally step out of the shadows.
But there’s another part of me which is frightened. How do I move forward when I can't see? When the majority of what I’m familiar with has been stripped away, and many of the touchstones in my life have been removed?
I’m reminded of Abraham. God told him to leave all; to go to a land that God would show him. But God didn’t tell him where it was.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise” (Hebrews 11:8-9 KJV).
This is one of the many things I love about God. For every tough situation we face, He has an example for us to follow. And He even shows us the outcome, if we’ll listen.
"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4: 3 KJV).
I’m still scared. I’d be lying if I said otherwise, but I know God is in control. He is my Father. He loves me, wants what’s best for me—knows me better than anyone else ever could.
So I guess I’ll put one foot in front of the other and move forward. It might be slow going at first, but God will carry me. He always has.
Blessed be your name, Lord, for you are good, and your mercy endures forever. For there is none liken unto thee, Lord, no not one. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the seed of Abraham, my friend.
Note: Today's post is part of the CW blog chain. The topic is "Forward". Please check out my sidebar, further down on the right, to see some great posts by other writers.

12 comments:

  1. most folks fill their lives with noise from the moment they wake to the moment they sleep and some even while they sleep.
    may your quiet times be filled with Peace
    we do not venture into the unknown alone Jesus chose to light The Way
    biiiiiiiiiiiiiig hug

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    1. I used to be that way, Jack. Now I relish those quiet moments. Can't even stand all the noise anymore, thank the Lord.

      And thank you for stopping. You're such a blessing.

      Bigggg hug back at you, brother.

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  2. Sometimes I fight those seasons of rest. The inactivity and lack of what looks like progress are so difficult. And yet, without those times when God makes us slow down, I don't know that we'd have the substance when He tells us to move forward. I'm sure God has given you messages and words and energy in the quiet that He'll now use as you move forward.

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    1. You just nailed something on the head, Heather. Had I not of listened, I definitely wouldn't have the substance to move forward. And I believe God will continue to give me words and messages along the way.

      Thank you so much for stopping!

      Oh, I went to your blog. Couldn't see a place to post a comment.

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  3. Yep, it's a journey of small steps that we take one at a time, right? Praise God for His word and for the brotherhood that we share along the way :-)

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    1. One step at a time is right, Chris.

      God bless you, brother. Thank you so much for posting.

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  4. I can't wait to hear what God's got in store for you, Deborah! Last year, my refrigerator prayer (posted on its door) was: "God, please fill me with excited expectation for what you have planned." It sounds like that's your prayer, too.

    Yay, God!

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    1. I can't wait to hear/see what it is, either, Carol. :-) Maybe it will happen to both of us near/at the same time. How awesome would that be?

      As always, thanks for stopping. It is appreciated.

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  5. I'm so sorry for your losses. Shalom, friend.

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    1. Thank you, Keri. And thank you for visiting.

      Shalom to you, sister.

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