So it’s been several weeks since God clearly spoke to my husband and me about him quitting his city job to run his company full time. It’s been hard to surrender to God especially when He asks us to do it ‘now’.
Lately I’ve been getting molded by God about the ‘now’ part. I wrestled with thoughts of insecurity and fear of the unknown for a week before I had peace. I finally decided to tell Dwaine I would give him my support to quit his job just as soon as he got his test results from his MRI. We were waiting to see about a cyst he had in his wrist. I gave God this ultimatum: If the results are good we would move forward with His will. I truly felt God and I had worked out good understanding. However I should have known that’s not how God works, we are ignorant if we think He works with ultimatums. I reminded Dwaine to let me know when he received his results. You’ll never guess what happened next. He tells me he had received the MRI results three days ago and forgot to tell me. The results were good. Wow…I thought to myself, “God we had it all worked out, I thought I had bought us some more time, I need more time.” Then I heard His response in my heart, “You had it all worked out, when are you going to start trusting me.”
That week I had been reading Psalms. I was looking for direction and comfort.
Psalm 131 “I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead I have calmed and quieted myself…” I knew this was a matter way too big for me to grasp, I needed to be calm and follow God’s plan.
Psalm 142:3 “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.” Of course I didn’t know what was best but if I felt as though I was in control I would simply feel better.
Faith and obedience are huge to God but so is the priority of doing it boldly and immediately. He emphasizes it throughout all the stories he shares with His disciples. He encourages us to be faithful because: ‘it will happen’ (Math 9:29). ‘God will give us the right words at the right time’ (Math 10:19). From this I am encouraged not to fear but to be different and use it as an opportunity to tell others about God’s grace.
My call to action was found in Isaiah 8:
“The Lord gives me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does.”
“He is the one you should fear.”
“He will keep you safe.”
“I will wait for the Lord.”
“I will put my hope in Him.”
“Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.”
I can rest in His promises “You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds” Psalm 65:5
We want to follow Jesus but what are we really willing to give up?
When Jesus healed the demon possessed man and cast the demons into the pigs, the entire town BEGGED Jesus to leave. Why? His ways are not our ways and they are mysterious, beyond our human comprehension. They didn’t understand how such a transformation could take place it was out of their comfort zone and made them uncomfortable. People don’t often allow God to help them transform their lives. They are comfortable with where they are even though they are not entirely happy. It’s just easier to stay stuck. I can’t imagine how many people in that town missed out on a miracle because they couldn’t handle how radical Jesus was. They were not ready to follow Him. Jesus wants us to follow him now, without hesitation and reservation. He has better things for us if we can simply trust and obey.
My prayer is that I will continue to follow now. It’s never failed me yet.
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in the clay,
Chantal Dube
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