Good morning! I woke up to a beautiful, sunny, crisp fall day here in the PNW! The trees are absolutely gorgeous exhibiting leaves of gold, orange, and my personal favorite, crimson red. God’s Glory is on display!
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Have you ever had a time when you knew you were on the path God wanted you to be? But because it’s unmarked, unlike anything you’ve done before, and different in so many ways, you begin questioning everything about it? And even worse, the more you try to research, learn, and grow into the work God called you to; the more you realize you don’t really know much about anything?!
Well, that is how I spent my Sunday afternoon yesterday. I was working in my writing room, trying to get ahead on a few projects–doing research– and the more I tried to accomplish, the more feelings of inadequacy and inability bubbled up.
What’s worse is that once those feelings came to the surface, self-pity began to set in. I started to believe the lies that were bombarding my mind and bringing me down.
Not long after this, the LORD began speaking to my heart and encouraging me to pray. Did I heed His direction? No, not at that moment.
I decided to step away from my desk and watch one of my favorite television shows, House Hunters International. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s a show that helps families relocate and find places to live in locations all around the world. It gives a glimpse into the diversity and cultures of the people and places God created. Anyway, my mind had no peace while watching my show.
Go pray.
More time went by.
Go pray.
Finally, at about 8 p.m., I listened. I went to my prayer closet and played one of my favorite worship songs “The Throne Room” by Kim Walker-Smith. In that moment, I just let all of those feelings of inadequacy go: through my prayer language, tears, and just being still and resting in the presence of my LORD and Savior.
He already knows my heart and His plans for me, and He hears every time I cry out to Him. “The righteous cry out and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all of their troubles.” (Psalm 34:7)
I spent about half an hour just being with the LORD. The time was so cleansing, uplifting, and peaceful. This scripture came to my mind while I was in prayer:
“But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
Then the LORD asked Moses,”Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decided whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:10-12)
Wow, did I need that reminder! I can definitely relate to the anxiety Moses was feeling. So many of my weak areas are being exposed and it’s uncomfortable, to say the least.
This is where I need to go all in, completely trust what God has called me to do, and that He will give me all I need to fulfill His plan–in His time.
“God does not ask us to go where He has not provided the means to help. Go where He leads, trusting Him to supply the courage, confidence, and resources at the right moment.” (NLV Commentary, Exodus 4:1)
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God continued to give me even more encouragement this morning. While I was driving my daughter to school and admiring all of the fall foliage, guess what the first song to come on the radio was?
The Throne Room By Kim Walker-Smith (Click here to listen!)
The one and only worship song I played during my prayer time last night. My heart and soul were so incredibly blessed to sing those words of praise again.
I encourage you, no matter where you are in your walk with the LORD, to continue Seeking Him, praying, and trusting that God will supply all you need according to His will and His timing.
All the Glory to God,
Shanon
Bibliography
Exodus 4:1 Commentary. Life Application Study Bible. NLT, second edition. Tyndale House Publishers, INC. Print. 2007.
Image of the cross with fall foliage by Cross Autumn Fall Foliage–Free photo on Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-autumn-fall-foliage-1796505/
Image of Proverbs 3: 5-6 by Bible verse of the day–daily verses.net. https://dailyverses.net/proverbs/3/5-6
Walker-Smith, Kim. “The Throne Room.” From the album On My Side. Released March 10, 2017. Web. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Ljl32SqRc&feature=share_email
I am so glad I reviewed my journal today because I have experienced times that seemed slow, and at times it did seem as though God was not available. I have made mistakes, gotten viruses in my computer, and had many problems with people not getting my blog emails. It’s been an adventure for sure and you now what?
Several people I know have had challenging, fearful situations lately. Job loss, health problems, disabilities, and family emergencies are some of the difficulties they have faced. Fear can easily take root when we are dealing with a case of the “unknowns”. “What if I can’t find another job?” “What if I need surgery?” “What if…?” One of the things fear forces us to do is to decide to either put our faith in action according to God’s promises or regard the scripture as simply words on paper, “simply repeating what God says” (Chambers, June 4th).
hen the spirit moves me! So, if you ever see me bopping around my house, singing loudly to Casting Crowns, you know the Holy Spirit is coming alive in me to conquer the fear that the enemy is trying to have taken root in me.
time to grow as a couple, travel, grow roots in a solid neighborhood…guess what?! God had His own plan for us.
mentioned in a previous blog, God slowly watered the seed of writing He had placed in my heart. Over the course of a few years, He encouraged me to keep a journal, write, and read. I devoured the Word, devotionals, and Christian books. I also applied and got accepted into SNHU’s English and Creative Writing Bachelor’s degree program. Through hard work, perseverance, and a whole lot of Jesus’ I graduated in the class of 2017.
Laying prone on the carpet of my bedroom floor, I could not contain the overflow of tears drenching my face and racking my body with sobs. I had just begun my Advanced Creative Writing class and submitted the first half of my twenty-five-page non-fiction memoir. My professor’s comments were devastating. Here is my journal entry for the following day:
Heaven Sent Sentiments 