I often wonder when my life here is over, and I stand before God, what He will show me. I think He might show me the "could have been's" if I merely followed a different set of steps in my future. Far too often, I believe we pray for His direction in our day, but then we are the ones who get in our own way of possible success. Perhaps it is that we lack the confidence and faith to believe in the possibilities laid before us. I firmly believe that with my whole heart. Even if we have 100 people tell us that we need to go in the direction we believe God is leading us to, we second guess, judge ourselves and listen to the lies of the enemy that say, "You're not as good as you think you are."
We kill ourselves before we even get going. Even though there is gas in our tanks, we don't even want to grab the keys and jump in the car. But the honest point is that we don't know how close we might be to reaching the other side of the shore, if we simply give up. What is it is one more project to complete, that will start your business in a successful path? What if it is showing up one more day, prepared to tackle whatever lies in front of you, and then the path will open wide up? What if we are merely steps away from reaching that point, God has called us to, but we throw in the towel saying, "I'm done. I can't do this any more. I'm out."
What if it was merely changing how we view our attitude that day? There are so many what ifs, and it makes me curious, why do we tend to listen to the negative what ifs in our head, instead of what could be positive what ifs instead? I wonder if it is just a woman thing more often than it is with a man, because everything that we do and say, is all connected in a way. Everything touches something else in our life. I believe we are our own worst critic and while we pray for God to work in our situation, we are blocking the way. It's time to stop saying it's too late to begin again. To say you're too old to do something. It's time to stop accepting the lies of the enemy and start listening to that still small voice that cheers us on, and encourages us to keep moving forward. Stop quitting and start working harder to find out what God's will is for your life.
If you're unsure, pray for clarity. If you don't have the strength to go on, lean on God. If you will listen to the lies of the enemy, start listening to the whispers of the Spirit. In other words, girl, get out there and be all God has created you to be. Stop standing in the way, get out of the way and watch God work.
Today, I received another email from a big name Christian book publisher that they are closing their review program to everything but eBooks. While I can see their point in keeping costs low, there are so many that can't or don't have access to eBooks. I see this as another confirmation that I am meant to move forward in my path as a small business owner and slowly transition from a book reviewer to the new chapter God is laying before me. Whether I will continue to make wreaths and home decor for the next year or whether God is calling me to teach and encourage others, I will pray for wisdom to know the difference between what God's will is for me in my life, and what I want instead. I need to give it all up to God and walk in the path He has laid before me today.
How can I encourage or pray for you today?
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2 comments:
Dear Kat, great post and such truth! O.k. I stopped when you said a large publisher was closing their review program except for Ebooks. Tell me it's not Bethany House please!! I so love having a book to hold and would be devastated if I didn't have the blogger program.
Sending blessings and hugs your way.
Noreen
Good thoughts in your post. I try to imagine what God would say to me when I stand before Him, too. But that always sounds too much 'like me' more than like Him. But, I know His thoughts aren't like mine and they are higher than mine. I expect to discover that no matter the path I take He always had a plan for it. That sounds like pick a door 1, 2, or more and see the plan unfold. But too often I did what I hadn't known I would, or went when I thought I wouldn't, and found Him there.
I up and quit my job. I never went into work thinking about doing that. I had health issues and that day made them worse. I called off work that week. I decided I was done. I've been retired since. And I ponder that decision. Sometimes I don't know when to walk away. God teaches me. I think in trying to do things, we sometimes discover quitting is needed.
A co-worker told of how her grandmother died at her work. That she would not quit. She died at a place that killed her. I think about that.
I guess we follow God and not always know how it will turn out. But I know Who holds my hand. He is very good.
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