THE NEXT RIGHT STEP

Sometimes it's really so honestly confusing what our next RIGHT step is in a situation. We just can't see clearly around the bend.

Sometimes we want to find the way over or through. Sometimes we want to build boats or bridges and the tools aren't available where we are at.  We want to fix it, find it, heal it, solve it or bring it into the light. Sometimes we want to lay our life down and become the bridge.

But we can't. Because WE can't. 

So what about when we find ourselves at what seems a big round bend or an impass, and we pray for doors or windows and we find none?
​
If there isn't a way in...sometimes God leads us on a way out. 

So here is what I'm learning right now:

1) Sometimes the next right step is out because sometimes when we want to lay our lives down God says it's time to let Him pick your life up. 

God is a good God. I am learning in this journey again and again that it is meant to grow us. My newest learning is that healthy growth grows us closer to who HE says we are, closer to others and closer to him. He's got a plan-- for our situations to do all that they are meant to do in us. If we make decisions slowly, carefully, obediently and with self examination and self awareness . we can let God reach in and DO the miracles in us and through us and we NEED to stay put so he CAN. 

But sometimes the growth he wants is LIMITED because we think it is ALWAYS about laying down our life. We keep ourselves in situations that DON'T grow us closer to who HE says we are, closer to others and closer to Him. So sometimes the way through is actually out.  Like ACTUALLY. You see, God said obedience is BETTER than sacrifice. Sacrifice can look good, and it can make you feel good because it seems so very humble and honoring to God. It actually helps ME continue my identity as being loyal to a fault and not a quitter. Truthfully I would ALWAYS pick to stay in a situation declaring my hope and belief that God WILL work it out but I am learning that sometimes letting him work it out means letting him lead me out. And that big step isn't easy and comes with a lot of prayer and soul searching.  But if you are feeling like you are drowning and other's are watching on and JESUS throws you a preserver and says let me take your place because I ALREADY died for this and you don't need to-- I really want to say to you and me both--let's let Him. He is a better saviour than we ever will be.
So let's tag him in and be obedient to follow through with whatever he asks, even if it's him leading us to step out for right now.

So here's the next thing I'm discovering too. 

2) When God moves you forward and you obey it can look a lot like walking backwards. It can look like standing still, losing momentum and backtracking. BUT taking a step BACK from all that was going on will prepare you for all that is about to come.

Moving forward for God can actually look like you took steps backwards. It can look like letting go of a direction you were moving. It can look like letting go of things that were joy filled and fruit-filled and fun and life giving. It can look like letting go of what others say or think. It can even look like saying no to the people you want to say yes to. It can look like letting go of things that were being built and that you wanted to see come to fullness. It can look like you have lost what you gained. It can look like you slowed down when you were going fast paced. 

But the truth is.. YOU CAN'T LOSE WHAT WAS ETERNAL. It's just a big bully lie. So it's going to take faith eyes to keep walking this next right step even when it seems like you are standing still and you have lost momentum. Because sometimes this next right step means taking a STEP back from all that was going on to prepare for all that is about to come. 

3) The next right step may seem UNCERTAIN because it is not FULLY and SOLIDLY there yet. But that doesn't mean you don't start moving. 
Maybe some of you float from one season to the next on angel wings or walk on the water without a care. Sometimes God leads us like that. He DOES. But I am learning that even WITH faith the next right step might feel like walking on water, like there is NOTHING solid under you and it is shaky ground. It might feel like trying to grab hold of something and nothing is there. Because the biggest steps of faith aren't sitting in a boat. They are out into the deep. And deep FEELS deep and it FEELS cold and it's not always smooth water and it is a  little bit unnerving.

And that's ok. Because IMMEDIATELY Jesus WILL take your hand when you call on him. I'm learning that the key is ALWAYS calling on him and not staring at that water.
 
And here is the last thing I'm learning about taking uncertain next right steps:

4) The next right step has HIS peace in it and on it. It isn't something we need to FIND in our situation. It's something we need to FOLLOW. Because it isn't a feeling.. it's a person.
Peace isn't illusive. It isn't something we need to FIND in our situation. It's something we need to follow. Jesus says: HIS peace HE leaves with US. He said it will cheer or ump our hearts. In other words it goes before us, guides us, directs us and coaches us. So we stay where His peace rests and we go where His peace leads.

Oh friend, I don't know where you find yourself today. Life is tangibly hard and messy. But I am resting in, trusting in, and recieving this truth WITH YOU today.

You are loved, You matter. And his plans for you are good.

You see I'm on a new journey, and the journey is here. RIGHT HERE.

It's on this blog, in this listening in and letting God lead me out into deep unknown waters. 

I'm fully vested in being a living stone and a vessel for you to find HIS hope, healing and direction through. If  I can do anything to coach you in hearing God's voice please reach out through my contact page.

Faithfully yours~ Catherine

PS. I wrote the poem below after I took the picture I posted at the very top of this blog post. It was on my camping trip. It's about JESUS meeting us, knowing what is around the corner before it even happens, and being more than enough in any situation. I hope it blesses you. 

"Right there before the corner
Anticipating the round and the bend
He met me with some fish for breakfast
I thanked God and he broke it 
And I heard him as he said:

MORE.

More than just what's called enough.

More than what was ever needed
and more than what is yet to come.
That's the way I do it
because when I did it 
IT WAS DONE."

Come sit with me at his feet and get refreshed. He treasures you.

.