Moving on Faith

Life is full of surprises isn't it? I have a love/hate relationship with surprises. On one hand, it's fun to be surprised with something new whether it be a gift, an adventure, or an opportunity. On the other hand, it can be hard to be greeted by an unexpected visitor when you're laying around in your pajamas or if you're a habitual over-scheduler like myself, then a spontaneous event or appointment can be really hard. But even for the biggest control freaks it becomes a reality, sooner than later, that we are really NOT in control of much. Having to "move on faith" and learning to "go-with-the-flow" becomes a necessity rather than a choice. 

We recently camped at Calaveras Big Trees with the kids and my in-laws and it was fun to tour the ancient Sequoia's and learn their story. I love stories and history and as we read about how the first giant tree was found while a man was tracking a bear he'd shot and "inadvertently" came across the biggest tree (later named the "Discovery tree") he or anyone had ever seen and yet that tree had been growing there for well over a century, I began to think how incredible it was that our Lord so often works in this way. While we're strolling along with a plan in mind, He's already been growing and building another path for us that sometimes can lead us into something as big and overwhelming to us as a Sequoia. 

Proverbs 19:21 says, 

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. 

The Lord's purposes are always for a greater will whether it be in a unexpected blessing or the pain of a loss/trial...He promises, 

Joshua 1:9

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 

I love this...He will be with me,..... with you wherever you go...the point is that we go. Just to be clear, this does not give us license to disobey his word in ANY fashion and use His will as justification. His WILL will always call us into obedience. Always. 

Lately, for me, it seems this subject has come up a lot in watching friends experience hardships and life plans diverted, in attempting to plan for this next year with inconsistent work for my husband and in opportunity to serve/grow in ways I never would have thought possible. 

But it may, for you,  mean going into a new job, a new opportunity, a new ministry that terrifies you because you don't know what's ahead and what you fear leaving behind. It may mean that you are taking on a unexpected health issue for yourself or a close family member or that you have lost all that you thought you were (socially, financially, relationally) and are on a road to reconstruction and restoration. In any of these scenarios, it sometimes feels like we are heading forward blindly in the dark without knowing what's at the end. There is something to be said for walking blindly or really, walking by faith...it heightens your other senses and forces you to listen for His voice for guidance and test your way through for confirmation. And our God is faithful every time to give us peace, guidance and affirmation.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

I pray for faith to walk with my Lord today and  toward tomorrow, whatever it brings.