I like to know there is some great reason...
The water was warm. He was having so much fun with three foam letters. When it was time for the shower to end he was very unhappy. Screaming in protest, he walked backwards away from the shower door."Ok kiddo, it's time to get out of the shower."SCREAM"It's time to get dressed and get ready for the day."SCREAM"It's time for breakfast. Time for porridge."The tension melted away from his face and he ran out of the shower full speed. Funny kid. He just needed to know there was some great reason to get out of the shower.Oh boy do I relate. I like where I am. I'm comfortable and warm and I don't want to change. Even when I'm not in a particularly good season, I'll still choose to stay where I am.Sometimes God will tell us what's ahead. But honestly I feel like He rarely gives me details. Mostly I feel that He says, "Come with Me" and asks me to let go of the past and walk with Him into whatever is next. This morning's shower was a good reminder that I need to trust God and follow His directions. And I've spent the morning thinking about my barriers to following His voice. Here's my thoughts about why God doesn't tell me what's ahead:- Sometimes I'm not ready to hear what's ahead. I need to trust that He is protecting me, nurturing me and equipping me. When I need to know, He'll tell me.- Sometimes I'm too stuck in my ways to hear Him. I need to let go of control and be ready to embrace His directions with joy. Maybe once I start listening to Him, He'll start giving me more details!- Sometimes what's ahead is something I have no concept of. There are some things in life that my baby doesn't know the words for yet, or has no experience of yet, or simply is too young to grasp the concept yet. I need to trust that God is all-knowing and I am not. When I can understand, He'll tell me.Have I told you what my all-time favorite Bible passage is? Today's shower metaphor brought it to mind.
Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)
It's a gorgeous sunny Saturday in our part of the world. My husband is actually home today and we have zero things on the calendar. Glory! And this shower metaphor was the perfect start to the day. I feel like God has grabbed my attention to talk with Him about trusting and following Him into new seasons. I have started a bunch of new seasons lately. Intense medical treatment for chronic Lyme disease. Dramatic dietary changes as part of the treatment. A new work opportunity that will be very fulfilling and also help to pay for my huge and ongoing medical bills. My heart sister has moved to the other side of the world. Two other dear friends are moving to other cities. And blah blah blah. I could go on and on.I feel myself backing away from the open doors and huddling inside the warm shower of my past seasons. But, as Paul so beautifully said, "I know the One in whom I trust." (2 Timothy 1:12)I do trust you Father God. I know you will guide me Holy Spirit. Thank you God that you are so good. I trust Your love. I trust Your plans. Help me to run into the opportunities you open for me.How about you? What has God been speaking to you lately? Does He speak to you through life metaphors and word pictures? Or other ways? I'd love to hear about your walk with Him.Want to read through the Bible with me? Today’s readings are Psalm 40; Luke 22:31-53