“Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 29:9 (NIV)
If you have hung around me for any amount of time, you’ve heard me talk about how God has had our family on quite the adventure for the past five years now; however, looking back, we can see God started the process much, much earlier. While there have been several catalysts throughout the years (miscarriage, chronic illness, financial issues, job loss), the adventure really hasn’t been about those details. The adventure has been about two main themes: learning to trust God and learning the lessons along the way instead of focusing on the finish line, which actually, would more accurately be described as the starting point.
Learning to trust God.
God used the above events in our life to get me a crucial question: Did I trust God?
He also gave me several invitations throughout the years to loosen my hands from the things I had trusted (which didn’t deserve my trust) and instead tighten my hold on Him whom I can implicitly trust completely. My family? I trust God. My life? I trust God. My future? I trust God. My finances? I trust God. Safety? Protection? Relationships? Ministry? Service? I trust God.
Through the process of learning to trust God, He has given us many amazing adventures (blessings). Paying bills with money that came in at the last minute, some amazing vacations paid for by loving family members, blessing others with no strings attached only to be blessed in the future by God Himself to a higher degree than we gave. One major lesson I’ve learned from this experience is one can never out give God. Ever.
It’s all about the journey and learning the lessons along the way, not the “finish line,” which is really the starting point.
For so long I was focused on the prize at the end, the destination, the “Promised Land,” where I foolishly thought I would sit and sip iced coffee and rest after the long journey it took to get there.
God, who is so patient and kind, took all the time I needed to teach me it’s never about the destination or finish line. It’s about the journey, the lessons He wants to teach me along the way, the maturation process so that when I do step into His dream (purpose) for my life, I’m equipped, ready and able to step in with confidence to do the work He has been preparing me to do. A ministry that lines up with the way He uniquely made me. A calling that feels like second skin but with the maturation to endure, press through and be able to handle the challenges the enemy will use to try and distract me from God’s mission. (We all know when we’re doing God’s will, the enemy steps up his game to distract, deter, and destroy.)
When I was finally able to get my focus where it needed to be, you’ll be amazed at what God showed me.
- I learned to trust ….
- I learned to look for the blessings …
- I learned to be thankful …
- I learned to let go of fear …
- I learned to focus on the truth …
- I learned to keep calm …
- I learned to be joyful …
- I learned to love …
- I learned to leave with blessing …
During the next few weeks I’ll share how God taught me to let go in each area … and maybe you will be encouraged to begin letting go of some things in your life too.
© Cheri Swalwell 2018