The Big Reveal - a blog post in the Pine Valley UMC Lenten Renovate series
The Big Reveal
I seemed to be in a season of excitement - for what I was not sure. I felt I was doing all that I was supposed to do. I was trying to be patient and follow God's will and perfect timing. I trusted God was going to find me a job. By the second year I just thanked God every day for what He was doing for me about a job. The feeling I had inside was I knew God had more planned for me! And I had to wait for the big reveal. I did not know what it was or when it would happen - I just knew something was coming! I had learned years before not to put God in a box. He has a much better plan than I could ever imagine!
In studying "Renovate" with my small group, we studied how God is calling us and asking us if we are willing to go where He wants us to go. I look back on my life and see that, all along, God was preparing me for this very hour. One time, before a talk I had to give, I was very nervous and a minister told me not to confuse nervousness with the excitement of the Holy Spirit. Maybe the burning excitement was the inner excitement of the Holy Spirit for how God was going to use me.
When God asks us if we are willing to go where He wants us to go, He could be talking physically and/or spiritually. When we are willing to let God guide our path we will go the RIGHT way. There will be bumps, potholes, detours, etc., but with God guiding us we will eventually get where we are supposed to go! God tells us that He will guide us along life's path but we will have to choose to stay on His path. Psalm 16: 11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
If we do not take the route that God has planned out for our journey we may miss out on a lot of blessings along the way and we will probably end up lost. We may run out of gas. If we go His way, it will be the best route without burning unnecessary fuel. We will pull over for rest, instead of directions, and we will see beautiful sights along the way. Isaiah 42: 16, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."
We are so special to God that He has already seen all the days of our lives - before we were born! Psalm 139: 16, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Jeremiah 1; 5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." God's plan for our life is custom made!! Just for us - no one else!
I think back to the age of 32 when I knelt at the Altar and gave myself 100% to God. I was already a Christian but I needed to take the next step. That meant I would hold nothing back. Oh no! That also meant I would do things I did not want to do - that I was too scared to do! But I gave Him my word - how could I not after ALL He has done for me!?
Whatever we are called to do, God will see us through. He will provide every person and every resource that we need. I look back and see where He pushed (ok - gently shoved) me through some areas that were very much out of my comfort zone! Looking back I know had I not written those talks and learned that writing came easy for me, I would not have wanted to move on to the next challenge. God laid on my heart to write a book which resulted in writing four. I found myself starting Sunday school classes, a circle, and leading retreats - all out of my comfort zone. None of these things were easy. In fact, anyone around knew that giving talks was my greatest fear. I still do not like doing them but I also know God WILL show up and stand in front of me!
I am so thankful that God prepared me for my new job on the ministry team at PVUMC; telling stories about how God is moving! It brings tears to my eyes to think how He found the perfect job for me. Sharing the Good News and using my God given gift of writing is amazing! I know this is of God because no one else would have come up with this job! Don't miss out on the perfect plan God has for your life! When you give yourself 100% to God, it is amazing what He can do to you, for you and through you!
God is ready to guide you down your path. He is waiting to embrace you with open arms! He has good plans for our lives that can be trusted. Pray what David prayed in Psalm 25: 4. He wrote, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Or as in the The Passion Translation version, 'Lord, direct me throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you." Will you go wherever He wants you to go? What will be your next big reveal?
Easter is a great time for new beginnings, growth, beautiful changes, and hope! Come celebrate Easter Sunday with us at 6:30 am, 8:15 am, 9:45 am or 11:15 am. See what God wants to reveal to you!