I was in the middle of a crowd running in what seemed like a marathon. I saw Jesus running too, except He was running in the opposite direction. It was strange to me at first and made Him stand out even more. He sees me out of all the people in this huge crowd and with a smile on His face, He calls me to join Him. I hesitate because I am trying to figure out why He isn’t going in the direction with everyone else. I am thinking, ‘I am already saved, Jesus, don’t You need to run with them to draw others to You?’ I just wanted to blend in at that moment and didn’t want to be looked at as crazy or foolish for doing things differently or not following the rules. I kind of wanted Him to join me on my journey in the direction I was going–with the crowd. Yet, I knew in my heart that I couldn’t go in the direction of the crowd. So after some inner battling in my heart, I turned around and began running toward Him.
~A vision God showed me in my quiet time one morning
Have you ever wanted to just blend in?
Not be recognized or acknowledged?
To just slip under the radar and just go on about your business without being interrupted?
Well, I have.
Sometimes, I am in a place, physically or mentally, where I am so consumed with my own thoughts and issues, that I don’t want to speak if I see someone I know or hope they don’t see me.
Yes, it’s true.
If I am honest, sometimes I just don’t have the emotional or mental energy to engage with anyone at that moment.
(I secretly thank God for caller ID many times.)
Truth be told, sometimes I do God like that too (which makes absolutely no sense because He is EVERYWHERE and sees EVERYTHING clearly!)
For the Lord sees clearly what Charlene does examining every path Charlene takes. ~Prov. 5:21 (paraphrase mine)
As His children, nothing escapes His view.
NOTHING.
Here ensues a heart battle for what He wants and desires for and from us vs. what we want and desire.
It doesn’t always line up.
And many times, I would much rather blend in with the crowd.
To not stand out.
Or be different.
Or have attention drawn to me.
But dear sister, I had to be reminded that morning that we were never called to run with the crowd or to simply blend in,
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. ~Romans 12:2a
We were also never called to follow the customs or traditions of this world, trying to do what everyone else is doing and going where everyone else is going. (It may lead us straight to hell.)
Instead we are called to “Come” and follow Him.
While it may be easier to run with the crowd while waiting because that doesn’t really require that much of you:
Don’t.
The journey with Him is better.
Reflection:
- What “crowds” is He calling you away from?
- What thing(s) has God been calling you to do in your season of waiting that go against what everyone else is doing?
- In what ways can you see and appreciate the beauty and perspective in what He is doing?
Be encouraged to wait and to move in faith.
Lady In Waiting 222 
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