Other Plans

A few months shy of college graduation, the most amazingly, scary and all together perfect thing happened. At the end of a Bible Study as I repeated the sinner’s prayer, my journey with the Lord began. Along with it came a wonderful church and Kingdom Friends. If things had gone my way, I would have stayed. But God had other plans.

In less than a year I was working in an unfamiliar city, searching for a church with no community. And if things weren’t bad enough, for weeks without fail, the sun hid at midday to make room for fierce storm clouds. I already didn’t like the city, the weather conditions created a greater distaste. I knew God sent me there, but where I was wasn’t where I wanted to be.

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Because we know the end of the story, we often scurry past Genesis 12:1 without fully sitting with Abram’s plight. The scripture starts with instructions that completely turned his world upside down. “Leave your own country behind you, and your own people, and go to the land I will guide you to." - Genesis 12:1 TLB

Depending on your personality bent, a zillion questions might have chased the heels of the command. Yet we don't have a reference of Abram rationalizing God's instructions. After the promises in verses two and three, verse four simply tells us Abram "departed as God instructed him..."

By all natural accounts, what God spoke seemed impossible. Yet Abram gathered his family along with all he owned and began the trek to an unknown destination. Traveling approximately 400 miles from Haran to Canaan without today’s conveniences was no light task. Even though the path was uncertain, Abram's confidence in God was sure.

And because God has always and will forever be faithful, everything He promised came to pass. Abram became Abraham, the father of many nations. He possessed the land and all the earth was blessed as a result.

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My new surroundings weren’t what I had in mind. Discontentment flung my emotions like a seesaw. I constantly reminded myself that God wouldn’t lead me to a place void of His plan and presence. Some days it comforted my heart. And others? Well, not so much.

But the isolation had purpose. It was the soil God was using to work His will in my life.

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Looking back, my Pastor told me God was going to send me to a place and use me there.

I just had no idea how difficult the process would be. But in His timing, God filled my life with friends, a church community, loving pastors, my own family and the city sort of grew on me.

I had plans, but God's plans were better.

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Do you feel like God has led you to an uncomfortable place? Are you questioning whether you heard Him clearly? My friend you're not lost or forgotten. What looks like desolation could be the road that leads to your destiny. You’re in the process of becoming. And every part of the journey is necessary to reach your destination. Trust His plan, even if it looks completely different from yours.

Your Sister Friend,

Tethered

Recently the word tethered just plopped in my mind and took a seat. Since it’s not a word I normally use, I did a quick Google search. The definition, “to tie with a rope or chain so as to restrict its movement.” completely resonated with our current circumstances.

You see we’ve been having a little challenge with our Blu. He’s simply the sweetest… at least most of the time. But every now and then, he hops on the can’t get right train and goes for a long ride. Over the last several weeks instead of going out back to do his business, he slips to the front yard and down the street he goes.

Getting him home is a whole thing, because at 14 years old he doesn’t hear well or maybe he’s ignoring us… we’re not quite sure which. Anyhoo, after being given several opportunities to change his behavior, he’s back on his leash with adult supervision.

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I’m pretty certain when the Lord brought the word tethered to mind he wasn’t just referring to our furry family member.

Honestly, I have the tendency to wonder and roam. Life can get heavy and before I know it, the urgency of the external causes me to stray from the eternal. Maybe not physically, but at times my heart and mind drift into dangerous territory. Instead of holding fast to God’s word, worry and doubt wiggle their way in. Somehow they manage to find the exposed cracks and crevices.

Life can get heavy and before I know it, the urgency of the external causes me to stray from the eternal.

But living apart from God is not the goal. I want more than a casual acquaintance. I long to know God intimately. Paul describes it perfectly in Philippians 3: 10 - 12, "I want to know Him in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering." The truth is, I’m all in when it comes to the “power of resurrection”. But, the suffering part makes slipping around the corner like Blu rather appealing.

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So my prayer is, Lord tether me. Tie me to your side. Give me your rhythm so I’m not running ahead or lagging behind. Teach me to love what you love and hate what you hate. Soften my heart so I willingly lay down my will in exchange for yours.

Is it a risky prayer? By all means! Will it take me where I’d rather not go? Absolutely! Surrender stretches our capacity beyond what we could ever imagine. But in the process, we gain the joy of knowing Jesus. I’m ready. What about you?

Your Sister Friend,

It Was Good

Have you ever wrestled with certain passages of scripture? For years Psalm 119:71 created an internal tug of war. David's words, “It was good that I had been afflicted…” were almost incomprehensible, especially considering my natural inclination to avoid pain. How can something hurtful ever be good?

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At some point, we experience struggles. Either we do what God never intended or trouble inevitably intersects our path. David was no exception. Even though he was a “man after God’s own heart” he had a particularly memorable misstep. - 2 Samuel 11-12

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Not too long ago I was faced with a trial that was far from a momentary set back. It came out of nowhere. Things shook, shattered and lingered… Lord did they linger!

Difficult seasons have a way of unearthing our weaknesses. They are a purifier of sorts, exposing aspects of our lives we’re either unaware of or choose to hide. Yet if we’re open, they can introduce us to the character of God.

The night season highlighted portions of God’s word I’d never seen. Scriptures I previously read with no real connection became my life line. God even revealed areas I hadn’t relinquished to His Lordship. It was tough.

I desperately wanted things to change. But instead, I experienced the presence of God. He sat with me in sorrow and watered my parced soul, As I waited, it became apparent that rushing to the other side of pain wasn’t the prize. The real treasure was knowing and trusting God.

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After stumbling over the first portion of Psalm 119:71, I eventually noticed the words “so that”. This little phrase urged me to reflect on the previous statement. Then I realized the good hard truth. Suffering paves the way for a deeper walk with the Lord. God wasn't leaving me without hope. He was forming His character in me and drawing me closer.

While I’d never choose to revisit that season. I cherish the lessons learned. Had I not been broken, I wouldn’t know God as healer. Had I not been surrounded and out numbered, I wouldn’t know Him as defender and deliverer. His greatness was no longer something I read about in someone else’s story.  He crafted my own testimony as I traveled the road of difficulty.

Admittedly, it has taken a long time to come to the same resolve as David. But today I can say without hesitation. “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:71- 72 NIV

I hope you're able to say the same.

Your Sister Friend,