Happy Monday, everyone! Wow, April's been busy!!! I can tell because of the number of blog posts on here for this month... this one will only be the fourth. It's been busy indeed... not only tangible busy-ness but also in my soul. God's been stirring me...
So, rewind back to Living Proof Live back in March. The main theme verses were from Isaiah 43: 18-19 and they are:
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Originally, I made up my mind that God was using these verses to speak to me about another situation in my life. As the hours after the conference turned into days and weeks, it became increasingly clear to me that HE is speaking to me about something else! Duh... I can be so clueless sometimes!
Beth Moore explained that the "former things" being referred to in the verse is a good thing --- it was the parting of the Red Sea! So, why were the Israelites being commanded to "forget the former things" and "not dwell on the past"? It is because God is "doing a new thing"! And if we keep living in the past, we wouldn't be able to "perceive it". This new thing will be different --- "a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" as opposed to a way through the waters (Red Sea) and dry ground on the sea bed.
You see... God is showing me that the "former things" in my life is my job! I've been working at this job for close to 10 years now. It is a good thing in my life... extra income, health benefits, part-time, work-from-home allowing me to be here for my kids! The "new thing" is an opportunity to join God in the larger church-planting work here in the GTA using my administrative gifts!
This past week, initial steps have been taken to make this transition happen and they have been positive! I would job share with a friend --- taking me down to 15 hours/week at my job. I would then use my afternoons for this "new thing". I am excited and scared both at the same time... and taking this one step at a time as God opens the doors.
This morning, my devotional reading was entitled When God Calls A Woman! How appropriate, I thought jokingly! I didn't know how appropriate it really was until I actually read it. Here's a portion of it:
What's more, God knew what He was getting when He called you, too—someone about your size, with your heart, your personality, your accent, your background, your talents, and even your flaws. God looked you over good and said, "Yep, she'll make a fine partner! Someone who recognizes the reality of that statement understands that they are not working for God but with God. There is a huge difference.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are symptoms of doubt. Doubt often means our focus is on self instead of God. When we trust God to do what we can't, it takes the burden off us and places it on Him. Then, as we look to God, we see reflected in His eyes great potential that only He can accomplish as we join Him.
My prayer is that I can give my fear, worry and anxiety over to God --- that all I will feel about this "new thing" is excitement! The devotional ended with a prayer and here it is:
Dear Lord, I don't always see the obvious — Your provision; but I trust it's there to empower and guide me beyond my imagination. I'm placing my fear aside today and saying "yes" to whatever You have for me. Lead the way with assurance and clarity. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
That is my prayer too!
