We have arrived on the last Monday of June, how is it possible? 2021 is flying by. The past six months have been a God-seeking, soul-searching, decision-making, and joyful experience for me. There have been tears, a whole lot of stretching the comfort zone, and many divine appointments. I wouldn’t want to miss a minute of it, and I hope your 2021 has been just as full.
In this season of change, some of the appointments I’ve experienced have been goodbyes. I tend to think this happens for us when we need to grow. We must remove ourselves from some people, places, and things so there is room for the new that God has in store for us. Goodbyes don’t come without heartache. It’s easy to want to keep what you have, but I discovered as I wrestled the Holy Spirit’s prompting to let go, there is no room for negotiation. And so, we give our final words of goodbye, maybe a hug or kiss, and turn in a humble way toward the path our maker has set.
Stretching the comfort zone is like raising the incline on a treadmill. Oh, how I loathe that slow climb as every muscle begins to burn. A big stretch for me is putting myself in circles filled with new people and opportunities. The congress in my head suggests many reasons for which such a jaunt is a bad idea. I often find myself defending such an adventure and having to surmount great anxiety in the process.
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, I attended the Spark Media Conference and NRB Convention. I had over two months to argue with myself about going. Fortunately, my writing partner agreed to travel with me so I wouldn’t be alone. When we arrived and found our room, I admitted to her that had she not come I might have packed it in and gone running home once I saw just how many people were there. Call me a chicken, but it was intense.
Like the work on a treadmill, immediate results don’t usually happen, but feeling better after the effort is always worth the exertion. I felt better once the conference started and I was sucked into the awesomeness of it all. I’m sure my nerves were noted by some, but I’m glad the congress didn’t win because up to the moment before I left, I was learning and making valuable contacts for the path which God intends me to walk.
If you’re in a place of comfort zone expansion – tell the committee of doubters in your head to sit down. Find someone who believes in you and who will help you stand tall so you can take those steps forward. Choose to be brave even if you’re quaking, lean in, and know that you can accomplish great things with God at your side. If you know someone who’s in this predicament, be their cheerleader. I certainly wouldn’t have been as successful without the support of my writing partner who kept me grounded and moving forward.
And then the blessings come—wrapped in a variety of colors that compete with the best Christmas décor. How wonderful it is when another human crosses your path and you know, deep in your heart or with tingles on your skin, that God meant for you to meet them. I had several of those encounters during this conference adventure. It often makes me wonder about the beauty of the Apostle’s divine appointments with the Master. Can you imagine?
From the earliest days to the last, God has a plan and need for each of us to hear His voice through His Holy Spirit. For me, I am beginning a journey where I write and speak out with my own story of brokenness and redemption. There are many of us out there, we are in good company. My purpose is simply to share the hope that recovery IS possible.
And now I must ask, do you know your call? Are you searching for it? Have you gone to God in prayer and asked about His will for your days upon this earth? You have value and means to contribute, I know it. We are one human family in need of each other. Every soul is worth the effort of restoration and happiness which will bring joy and peace to hearts, homes, and communities. I urge you to pray and ask, speak to your neighbors, look for opportunities to be the divine appointment someone in your circle needs today. You won’t regret it.
To those who have seen my worth, been longsuffering in the process of my recovery, and who have held me up in times of doubt, I thank you for your service and will strive to pay it forward.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,
For God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Let us think of way to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another,
Especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)