…those were the words the Lord spoke to me as I stepped into the shower one afternoon. To say I was taken aback and shocked is an understatement!
It certainly caught my attention, especially after He followed it up with this statement:
You think that what I have asked you to do is completely dependent on you.
I always joke with a friend of mine about collaborating on a book together called, “The Bathroom.” We agree that the Lord seems to be most loud and clear while we are in one of the most private and intimate rooms in a house.
Welp…when He spoke those words, I couldn’t respond for a minute.
I knew exactly what He was referring to and I guess that’s why I took a long gulp, hung my head and began with, “You’re right Lord. It doesn’t and I’m sorry.” Then I remembered this scripture:
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6, NLT
So here is the backstory:
A few months ago I began working on revamping and rebuilding my website, with the intentions of relaunching my life coaching. I have been in a new city for 2 years and I sensed it was time to take a break from my hiatus and get back out there, so to speak, and continue serving in that area of my purpose.
Anyone who knows me knows that my life mission is helping women to discover the women of God they were created to be, to do the things they were called to do (purpose) and to live the more abundant life they were destined to live. I am also very passionate about women discovering their God-given gifts, which connects to who they were created to be.
As I approached the end of this overextended break, I kept feeling prompted to start out by facilitating one of my coaching workshops, which happens to be about one’s motivational gifts.
After much resistance and going back and forth with the Lord, I finally obliged. (Anyone else do that with the Lord, or is it just me?)
I have done the workshop several times before and I knew the material so that wasn’t the issue. I love talking about how we are uniquely designed and it really is a fun and interactive workshop. However, it was His method that I was struggling with this time. You see, the process He was leading me through to plan and prepare for this workshop was very different, uncommon even, and was going to require me to really trust Him.
(Did I tell y’all my word this year is STRETCH?!)
So when He spoke those words to me in the bathroom, I knew it was pertaining to this. I was simply called to be obedient. I didn’t need to know the HOW. I was just supposed to follow His instructions, as He continued to make the path clear for me. (If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you will know this is a struggle for me–worrying about things that I was never supposed to be concerned with.)
This was my problem…and, I’m guessing, perhaps it may be yours too.
This work He has begun in you (and me), is not to be walked out alone. It involves the One who initiated the work within us, every step of the way, and in a community of others who come alongside us to help us. We serve a God who is a finisher, not just a starter. Yes, there is a part we have to play, i.e. obedience, but ultimately, He is the One responsible for the results.
The minute I have decided in my mind that what He has called me to do is all dependent on me, I am in trouble. Fear suddenly becomes a major influencer and faith is kicked to the curb. Thus, my actions (or lack thereof) that follow can cause me to end up wasting a lot of time. It may also lead me to feeling stuck or worse, becoming stagnant. The vision is always bigger than us and it will (and should) outlive us. He just needs our obedience.
As Charles Stanley is famous for saying, “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.”
Check back for some lessons He has taught me in the coming weeks that I pray will help you to get moving on the things He has instructed you to do in this season of waiting. My hope is for this to no longer be your problem or ever become a problem for you.
Reflection:
Is there something God has been calling you to do in this season of waiting, but you have been so stuck on the HOW, that you have neglected to be obedient? How have you been relying on self instead of God with regard to what He has asked you to do?
Then the Lord God made a woman
Genesis 2:22, NLT
Scripture references: The Holy Bible (NLT)
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LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
Lady In Waiting 222 