It amazes me how quickly things switch up for me… I think that’s possibly the least admired part of my journey- In every area of my life, at any moment, things can change. Literally…every area. At any given time. Things can change… for the better or even for the worse. It’s difficult for me to handle at times, but I have some mechanisms that I use to help me adjust. But honestly…Sometimes, this causes me to be a little anxious about life. Even though the Bible commands us in Philippians 4, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” I’ll admit that Sometimes, I do worry. My life, at times, doesn’t make me feel like I'm the most stable guy in the world.
If I can be real with you, sometimes, the things the Bible says can seem and feel a little unrealistic. Before you gasp with unbelief and write me off and turn away from anything else I have to say, hear me out! I mean… this is my life. My future. My purpose… HOW in the world am I supposed to be so nonchalant about it? How can I not worry? How can I not be concerned? The direction here is to pray about it. And I do that… but everything else that follows the prayer is what makes it so difficult. The fact that I can’t stop thinking about it. The fact that what I know will come and what I see right now are two totally different things…. with that on my mind, how can I fully and truly trust God with it? I mean, this is a lot to ask for. It’s a lot to consider. I’m a human… I’m bound to human limitations. And according to our society… “Seeing IS Believing”! I know what I see... I also know what God told me… and the two are just not meeting up right now.
This quick little scripture tells us to “Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” To be honest, this helps me… When ever I pray about something that I desire and after I pour my heart and soul out to God, I thank Him for something that was already done in my life. This changes my mindset most of the time (Sometimes the worry is a little difficult to shake). But for real, thinking about the times that I honestly should have died from making stupid choices… The times where I should have failed, but God filled in the missing pieces and helped me to succeed...Everything! There are a lot of times where I have to trust God, and thanking Him for the ways that have been made, where it couldn't have been anything else but his power that created a way, REALLY helps me.
In the book of Acts, in the first chapter… It discusses the final moments of Jesus on this earth before He ascends into heaven. In one of the verses, he tell his followers “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before”… Every time I read this passage, I have to stop and ask God for courage and endurance to hold on. That’s what this passage of scripture reminds me of- “Holding On”! We’ve established that this is way easier said than done, which is why passages like the one from Philippians also helps me… but this scripture from Acts… WOW!
DON’T MOVE!!!
Living a life like mine, where things can change at any moment, makes THIS difficult to do. Part of my problem is that I try to have a plan of some sort. “If this doesn't work, then I can do that” or “If that doesn't happen the way I’ve planned, then I can get still take this away from it…” I’ve learned that this isn't how we need to work with God. We gotta give all our trust to him. No back up plans… We follow His voice… Heed to His commands, and he’ll give us the provisions that we need.
“Do not leave!” That’s what Jesus said… I want to encourage people reading this (and myself)… Don’t sell yourself short. You received a promise from God. You received a calling and a purpose from God. Though where you are may not be comfortable. Though what you are experiencing may not feel good. PLEASE!!! Don’t move before your promise arrives! God is sending your gift. He hasn't forgotten about you. He’s on your side! He wants you to succeed… You just have to have faith that it is actually already done…you just haven't entered into yet. Don’t let what you see cause you to waiver… gain the experience that you need. Learn the lessons that you need. Meet the people that you may need. Develop the relationships that you may need and trust God that your promise IS being sent. Trusting God isn't easy… but like Philippians Chapter 4 says, Thank God for what He’s already done. Change your mindset. Most importantly DON’T MOVE!! At least not until its time. ;-)