Let's Go!

The Ask

The word(s) God gave me this year is "Let's Go!" I would have thought that would be my words for last year as I published my book. But as I stepped into 2018 and published, From Single to the Knot on the 5th day of the new year, the word He gave me was "Let's Go!" And as I proclaim those words I feel empowered with a sense of freedom as I leap into tomorrow. Except not really.

We are a few months into the year now and as I sit in my quiet time I feel a bit shackled by all of the unknowns. I mean, He said "Let's Go" but didn't say where we are going. Is this how Abram felt when God told him to pack up everything, his family, and belongings, and move? 

"The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

God said he WOULD show Abram where to go but didn't tell him ahead of time. He had to be willing to go and start moving before God showed him the next step.

The Answer

It's one thing to say yes when you know where you are going or what your goal is. It's a whole different ball game when you don't know exactly what you are saying yes to. I am a girl that loves, check-lists, goals, and step-by-step instructions. When I achieve a goal, I like to already know what my next goal will be. When I come to the end of a vacation, I like to already be planning the next one. Anybody? This lessons the fall out of emotions when something exciting comes to an end. So as I finished publishing the book, I loved God saying "Let's Go" and giving me something new to focus on. Instead of the book publication being an end, it was immediately a beginning of whatever was to come next. He was prompting me to keep moving forward.

However, I have now realized that I have very little information on what that next goal actually is. God is barely showing me the next step on the path. I see doors opening but haven't been handed any keys yet, so it's hard to know for sure if those doors are for me. And I definitely don't know exactly where they will lead. Is any of this ringing true for you? Can anyone relate to the conundrum of being excited about what is next and paralyzed by all of the unknowns?  

The Unknowns

Instead of knowing the unknowns, I am learning to trust the all-knowing. I can only see the very next step toward His goals or plans for my life. I have the choice to sit here in fear of the unknowns and see no further into His great plan, which I know is good (Jeremiah 29:11), or to take the only step I can see, trusting that when it is time He will show me the next step and the next and the next. 

He promises to always be with us and to order our steps. Here are some Biblical truths we can speak and pray over our fears because here is the thing, it would be gravely worse to miss out on his plans and blessings than to make a few missteps as we get better at recognizing His voice and saying yes!

• Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Jos 1:7
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Pr 3:5–6
• We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Pr 16:9
• Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Je 33:3

The Step

If you know exactly what He is asking you to do, do it! If you know what the next step is and He has said go, GO! But if you are still unsure or unable to lift your foot toward that next step because of fear, here are some suggestions that will still move you in the right direction and make room for God to show you more.

• Tell a faith-filled friend and ask them to pray with you.
• Write it down in a journal, on a note, or on your phone.
• Gather information about it, do some research, ask questions.
• Fast in a way that God leads you so you can give more focus to listening to His voice.
• Take a step and trust His promises for strength, redirection, and blessing.