Come Back

It is no secret to my family and friends that I am germophobic. My supply of hand sanitizer and propensity toward hand washing has increased in recent years, especially since I had kids. There are times when the stress and anxiety of possible illness just takes over and I can't help it. In fact, I recently reprimanded my nine-year old for helping her sick friend to the nurse's office at school. Not my best parenting moment.

My husband once commented, "You can't put them in a bubble, you know."

My response, "Wouldn't that be great if we could?!"

Part of my life I lived in a spiritual bubble. I kept my faith to myself and at times didn't even allow God penetrate the tough exterior that I had built. Then, God popped my bubble, creating in me a desire to venture outside of my safe place.

And, even as I began to move out of the comfort zone I had created, my desire became to move further. I wanted to keep moving, to know more and to go further.

That's when the frustration set in. God, I only want to do your will. Was that true? Or, did I just want to keep going? Come back. He had asked me to step out, but maybe he didn't want me to go that far. Yet.

"We often find God's will when we do what's next and obediently respond to the normal duties of life...

The Enemy's voice will focus on the past and the future while the voice of God will focus on today. He is the God of right now." 

- Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God

As I have been reading, studying, praying and listening recently, I have learned that God is the leader, the good shepherd who wants to go before me and call out to me when the path has been set, cleared and well worn by him. We are part of a larger story. Consequently, timing is everything. We must wait for God to speak before acting.

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go."

- Isaiah 30:21 -

"The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given - and you will receive even more." 

- Mark 4:24 -

Remember that bubble, I talked about? God called me back there. Only, he transformed it into an inner circle or sphere of influence. It was no longer an impenetrable barrier, it was a way to embrace my people. It was those close to me he was asking me to minister to. Those in my family, church and city. He didn't want me too far away from those people. My people.

Sometimes being outside of our comfort zone simply means having a difficult conversation with a friend or inviting a neighbor to join you in Bible study. It may not be about literal distance, but about a stretching of your heart and mind, looking at the people and places around you differently.

So, what is God calling me to right now? In some things he is asking me to wait, to let him lead and carve out a path before he asks me to walk it. In other things, he is asking me to act, to do something - call a friend, write a note, show my husband how much I love him - today. Still, in other things, he simply wants me to let him take care of it. To pray and watch him work, so his glory can be displayed in our lives.

Lord, may I be a person who seeks you and desires to walk in step with you. Lead me along your path, your plan, because I know it's what is best for me. May I be a woman who waits patiently for your invitation, as my desire is to move with you. Help me to always remember that your perspective is greater and that it's in your power that I operate in the works you have planned for me. Allow me to see the needs around me and direct me toward obedience, so that I will be willing to serve when you call. Amen