Some of you may have seen my post on Facebook explaining that I won first place in the fiction category at the St. David’s Christian Writers Conference. Wow! I’m still in shock. The journey to that conference was long and full of God’s amazing grace. It is the first conference I have ever attended. I looked at it for years before I took the plunge. The dates conflicted with our church’s VBS, and even though we are no longer “lead” pastor (I put it in quotes because I’m an old woman trying to stay in touch with the times. LOL!), I needed to be at church, but Tom said, “Go.”
So, I applied for a scholarship, even though our electric went out (because, of course, I’m doing this on the deadline day!) and I could not get it to send! Trying one last time at 2:30 a.m., it went, and I got the scholarship. This was my fleece, and I excitedly wrung out every drop of dew.
I went looking for direction and came away with more advice and information than I could comprehend. And then first place! It was the final nail in the coffin of indecision.
However, as I drove home with this new path, my mind overflowed with confusion and my heart with angst. The thoughts rolled around in my head until the only verse that made sense was “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
God is so good. He WILL lead. He WILL have his way if I keep my heart and mind surrendered—if I burn my plans to ashes and allow his plans to rise from the ash-heap.
I will tuck these words from Paul Tripp’s New Morning Mercies (June 25) into my heart for the strength and encouragement I’ll need when this new path is frustrating and dark and not anything like what I was expecting:
“The One who had redeemed them from bondage, was not just a Deliver of freedom; he was also the Giver of life. They had earned nothing, but they were about to get it all. But they refused (emphasis added).They would not move. It all seemed unrealistic and impossible. It seemed like a cruel set up; the big, spiritual bait and switch… What they saw as being in the way of God’s plan was actually part of the plan; what caused their faith to weaken was actually God’s tool to build their faith… God is not in a panic, wondering how he’ll ever pull off his plan with all these obstacles in a way… He knows just how he will use what makes you afraid in order to build your faith.”
Are you with me? Are you facing what seems impossible? Aren’t you glad we serve the God of the impossible?
So, want to share your impossible future? If there is one thing I learned at this conference, it is this: we need each other! Sharing our thoughts can be so helpful! I know we are not face-to-face, but let’s do it! I went first. Now it’s your turn!
Beyond Common Sense 