Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose [NET]
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. [NET]
Really Lord? Did I hear you correctly? That is your voice. Am I hearing you?
“Stay where you are.”
Stay where I am? Not exactly what I thought I would hear. Not really what I wanted to hear.
I had been in this place for two years now. After my life had come apart, everything changed. Here I was. Alone and struggling with this reality. I had given up almost everything.
I spent time with the Lord, and I was willing to do what He had asked of me. He had led, encouraged me, corrected me, buried me, resurrected me. Finally, I thought I saw the light at the end of this tunnel.
He had done so much for and in me, and He seemed to be opening doors. I was ready for a change. I wanted to do what I believed he wanted me to do. After all, I am 65 years old. Surely, He needs to do something soon. I need to do something soon.
“Stay where you are.”
My lease from my townhouse was coming up for renewal. I needed to hear from the Lord. I needed to make a decision. Do I move? Did He want me to move? Does He have something more for me? “Please have something more for me…now!”
Stay
Ok, Lord. I trust you, Jesus. I mean, I will trust you.
I noticed the average rent in the area was decreasing. So, I called my landlord and asked what amount of rent he was considering for this upcoming lease. Little did I know, there were 950 new rental units being built in the surrounding area all at once.
Without even hesitating, he lowered my rent by $350. One of the lowest rent rates in the area especially for this higher level property. What a blessing!
What a blessing…
Yes, it is. But I wanted to move on to what He had for me. I mean, he messed up the whole plan I had for Him to plan for me.
Trust
As I look back at my life. There were so many turns in my life. Many I thought were disappointing. But time proved out, they were a blessing. Some of those turns are why I am alive today. That path He gave me ultimately led me to Him and fulfilled the deepest desires of my heart.
Decide
I decided to trust Him. Your will, Lord, not mine. It was disappointing. It was hard. But I thought about all he had brought me through, how He made everything come together even when I failed.
Rest
So I decided to just rest in Him. I said, you know what the future holds. I do not. You always make a way. You have never failed me.
Suddenly, a peace came. Suddenly, I was excited about the future again. Suddenly, my faith and hope returned.
Movement
So now things are happening in my life. Yes, right here where I am. I cannot tell you how quickly He is moving in me. How much He has changed me.
Purpose
Of course, that is His purpose. To prepare us for His purpose. He is protecting us. He is preparing us. And yes, He is sending us.
So I tell you. If you are disappointed or disillusioned with the path, the Lord is taking you. If you are wondering, “How Long?”
Learn this lesson that I have had to learn over and over.
Stay… in Him.
Trust… in Him.
Decide… to trust Him.
Rest… in that trust.
He will move in your life.
He has a purpose for you.
All things work together for your good.
He has only good plans for you.
He has overcome, and you will overcome with Him.