The first step
Melanie - March 17, 2009
My church is in the middle of some big transitions right now and so there has been a lot of talk about hearing the voice of God. Specifically, hearing His voice and knowing when He's calling you to move.
The thing about moving is that it can be hard. It requires change. It requires sacrifice. It requires giving up some measure of comfort.
And if you don't think those things are true, then I'll assume you've never moved before.
Fifteen years ago, I had just graduated from college and started my first real job. And by real, I mean that it didn't involve baby-sitting any kids and I had to wear a suit. I moved to a city where I essentially knew no one because I knew it was where God was calling me to be.
I spent about four months being absolutely miserable at my lack of anything resembling friends and a social life, but I held on to the fact that I knew I was in the center of God's will for me.
About a month later, I was re-introduced to the man who became my husband and fifteen years later I am in that same city, surrounded by more family and friends than I could have dreamed of back in 1994.
I've been thinking a lot about that time lately because it marked my first tenuous steps to fully trusting God with my life. It was the first time I really took a leap of faith. And it all worked out.
It's good to remember His faithfulness, especially being in a season of life where I'm feeling called to take other steps. Steps out of my comfort zone, steps towards His plan for my life.
In the book of Joshua, we see the Israelites as they're about to cross over the Jordan. Joshua 3:13 says, "And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord - the Lord of all the earth - set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."
Apart from God, that doesn't even make sense. The waters are going to stand up in a heap? Well, sure they are. That's a natural state for a liquid.
But it happened. As soon as the priests feet touched the water's edge, the water stopped flowing. The key was that first step of faith, the kind of faith that gets your toes wet knowing that God is going to take care of the rest.
So, if you're like me and feel like He's calling you to move, it may be time to get your feet wet.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (6)
We are making a physical move half way across the country to a state I NEVER wanted to live in. I must trust that this is His will, His move. Without that, I. am. undone.
Weird as it sounds, I’m glad God is working on others to “move” be it physically or not. Always good to sojourn with people in the same “place.” rachel
Posted on March 17, 2009 11:16 AM
My heart is with you on this one. My husband and our three boys moved almost a year ago.
To say it’s been hard would be an under-statement! It’s so far outside my comfort zone sometimes I’m still not sure I have the right life.
We bought an espresso business that brought us back to the place where we both grew up.
Although it’s great to have the BEST coffee anytime…it is definetely hard to run a business with three little boys and a husband who now has to travel for work.
Each day I remind myself that God called us here and that he will provide. Somedays driving around doing various errands; I repeat to myself, “I’m praising God today! I’m praising God today!”
Thanks for the reminder that it’s okay to be outside of our comfort zone and that our feet need to be wet. (Even if it feels like I’m up to the waist).
I’m a regular reader of your Big Mama blog, and love it so much!
Blessings,
Deborah
Posted on March 17, 2009 11:24 AM
I took that step almost 2 years ago, leaving ALL my family and friends behind in Florida to move to Atlanta with my children. Yes, it’s because I was getting remarried (to a wonderful man who loves Jesus), but it was a huge consideration in saying yes to him — I’d have to leave everything and everyone I’d ever known to do it. He’s stationed in the military here, so no option for him to move to be with me.
It was huge. And it was hard. And it was so sad. But I adopted the motto of “bloom where you’re planted” and haven’t really looked back. Instead of seeing my parents (and my children seeing them) 3 or 4 times a week, we now see them 3 or 4 times a year. I’ve made some wonderful friends here, and also made some good friends in the bloggy world (I’d have probably never been on the computer enough to find any of them in my Florida life).
Who knows what God’s got going on with me and through me, but it has been fun getting my feet wet in new waters. PLUS, we have waaay less humidity here and much better hair days! Who knew?? :)
Posted on March 18, 2009 11:59 AM
I can not tell you what a timely word. I have many changes coming on & am at times scared to death-almost paralyzed. I pray not for the knowing of what & when but for the peace of God to calm all the rest. Thanks.
Posted on March 18, 2009 9:09 PM
Thank you for this. I’m just over 3 months away from moving to the other side of the world because I know it’s where God has called me. I love God’s reminders that what we are doing has been done by someone else before and just like he took care of them - He WILL take care of me. So thanks again.
Posted on March 18, 2009 11:22 PM
Good post, your post could really help me in my work. Hopefully this will help increase my traffic more. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on March 26, 2009 4:32 AM