Putting His Plans into Motion

So what did you learn from our great God?

That’s what a friend asked me after I returned home from the She Speaks conference recently.  

Thankfully I wasn’t caught off guard because I had been thinking of little else. Back in the comfort of my own home I had unpacked everything–my clothes, my books, and most notably, my thoughts.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

What HAD I learned through the teachings at She Speaks and what had God revealed to me?

For months I had prayed specific prayers as I prepared for the conference. This time around though, things were different. There was no agenda on my part, no one sheets, no book proposal to pitch, no publisher appointments, and absolutely, positively, no pressure.

That’s the way I wanted it. I was attending with my heart, eyes, and ears focused on God. I was listening for what He wanted me to do next. For months I’d had this stirring that He was preparing me for a next step, but I didn’t want to rush things.

So before I departed the Lone Star state I once again prayed for my time away. I prayed:

Dear Lord, I come to you today humbled and privileged to attend this conference with a community full of Christ-centered sisters. Lord, you know me all too well. You know that I often struggle with an overwhelming schedule. You know I’m guilty of comparing myself to others, even as Your word tells me not to. And yes, you know that I fall short of having the uninterrupted quiet time with you that I so need, and instead settle for the bits and pieces I often get. I’m asking for a do-over. I’m asking for you to open my heart and fix my eyes on your word as I seek Your direction and next steps. Father, I have this stirring in my heart that you want me to do something big; something outside of my comfort zone, and I am seeking your confirmation. I praise you and thank you for Your instruction, and I pray for safe travel and big fat angels as a promise of your protection and grace. I love you Lord and I will follow You. In your precious name, Amen.

Go ahead and laugh at the ‘big fat angel part.’ It’s okay.

You see my God is a BIG God and He. Never. Lets. Me. Down. Not once, not ever! I’m always delighted when I find His bits of encouragement sprinkled along my path. He knows exactly what I need to keep going.

Turns out as I was sitting in a session with one of my favorite speakers and authors, a scripture flashed on the screen that brought me straight up in my chair. I was overcome with such intense emotion that tears welled in my eyes. In the midst of my uncertainty and procrastination, why hadn’t I seen this before? I had read these words many times over.

But just as He spoke to the disciples, these same words were intended for me:

“He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” Acts 1:7-8

Isn’t that just like our God to remind us that while His word never changes, it is fresh and new every morning. And, that we are able to discern things differently for where we are at the time. Even if we’ve heard it all again and again, His word is His word, every single time. Nothing else is needed.

Isn’t that just like our God to remind us that while His word never changes, it is fresh and new every morning.

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That’s pretty amazing.

I left this conference knowing that I am to move forward and complete a special project He’s had me working on for two years. I realized it was my procrastination and me making excuses that was getting in the way. Here He was trying to move me forward, and I was digging in my heels. I kept thinking I’m not ready, it’s not time; someone else has something better than me. All of it deception from the evil one.

In hindsight there was no glamour or glitz packed in those few days, unless you count the beautiful friends I got to visit with or meet for the first time, but the experience was rich in His promises and reminders to follow Him. I left there knowing exactly what I’m supposed to do and a target completion date to boot.  

God showed me the definite path to follow and I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

What have you learned from our great God this week?

I’m praying for you.