End of a season

As we begin the process of transitioning from Kansas to Texas, we are excited yet, at the same time, uncomfortable. Excited to see what God has for us in this new season. We have a hunger for the Lord and for His Word and every new season that we have stepped into has brought revelation and growth. It’s also brought distinct challenges. Abba Father has never left our side, He has been the one constant that helps us to overcome these challenges.

As we move forward, we are uncertain as to what this will look like. Much like Abram when God told him to go, we go. It’s uncommon in our Body of Christ to just say, “Yes, Lord” and go. So many are preoccupied with all of the variables (finances, houses, jobs, etc.) that I wonder how many go through with what the Lord has said to them? How many looked too much on the wind and the waves and began sinking?

I have to admit that it has happened in some respects to me. I went into this knowing that I needed to stay out of God’s way in this endeavor and, yet, twice I have received correction from Him for wandering out of my lane, so to speak. I am a fixer, show me the problem and give me a minute and I will begin to fix it. My wife and I have an agreement, if she doesn’t want a problem fixed, tell me up front, then tell me what’s going on. This has helped in our marriage a lot because sometimes she just wants to be heard and I need to know this so I have my thinker in the right gear.

With God, it has been in the quiet moments after an unnerving and frustrating attempt on my part to figure out how a particular piece of the puzzle will fit. Once I get quiet I can hear His correction, I see exactly where I was taking away from Him His duties and trying to solve them in the flesh, I was impatient. Once I received correction, Peace would wash over me and my spirit would lift.

It’s still uncomfortable, our ministry is just in its infancy, we sow seed into it consistently and we know that eventually there will be a harvest, it’s a law. The Lord has been gracious to us and has given us a vision for the next phase of our ministry and we will unfold it here over the next several weeks and months. We know it’s from Him because it is not possible for us to do alone, it’s simply too big and has too many moving pieces.

Every change of season will bring its own distinct joys and challenges, it will be uncomfortable. Proverbs 16:9 AMPC says “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” The last time the Lord corrected me, just a couple of days ago (His mercy and compassion are amazing), the next morning He led me to these two verses:

Psalm 37:23-24 AMPC “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.”

I had begun to fall, stumbling on something that wasn’t mine to figure out, and He caught my hand, He stopped my fall, and lifted me back to a stable stance. When I read this scripture, I recognized it immediately and it took me to Matthew 14 where Peter, walking on the water, got his eyes off of Jesus and onto the storm and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him and IMMEDIATELY Jesus caught his hand, lifted him up, and stabilized him.

That’s how close our God is to us at all times. Jesus never said we wouldn’t “sink” on occasion, but He has shown us to call out to Him and He will immediately catch our hand and stabilize us. Don’t forget to call out to Him in those times or to praise Him in the good times.

It’s a world gone mad and when you feel like you’re caught up in a game of “Frogger”, stop and get quiet and let the Lord guide your steps, He is faithful, He will not let you down, He will walk you through the valley to the high ground.