Sometimes I slip into this way of thinking,
where I try to “figure it all out”…
or I begin to fret or worry that maybe I’ve missed something,
that I might be doing something wrong based on the ‘results’ that I see…
“…well, maybe these things, these results, mean I should do this instead…”
“…maybe these results that happened (or didn’t happen), mean that I should _____.”
But do you know what I end up getting myself into?
Dwelling or obsessing over analyzing what I think are the ‘results’ and what I think the ‘results’ are showing me.
And really, I begin seeing these ‘results’ as my guide,
my way of navigating through and determining what I should or should not do.
But this gets me no where
but distracted,
discouraged,
overwhelmed
and confused…
Sometimes God leads us somewhere,
and He gets a little “quiet” while we’re doing the thing that He’s led us to do.
Maybe the confirmations aren’t blaring or constant like I’d like them to be,
but He didn’t ask me to navigate or follow based on what I see as ‘results’…
He simply asked me to follow Him, to obey Him, and to trust Him.
And to abide in Him, that He will abide in me.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”—John 15:4-11
And sometimes we must learn to trust Him while we “keep on keeping on” …until He gives us the next set of instructions to follow.
And He will…
I don’t need to worry or fret over where I am, or what’s next, or worry that I might be doing something wrong.
I don’t need to worry that perhaps I could have missed something when I look at everything and don’t think it’s doing any good based on what I see or don’t see within the current ‘results.’
I trust Him, and I keep on trusting Him.
I listen, and I keep listening.
I abide in Him, and I keep abiding.
He abides in me, and He remains within me!
He’s not going to lead me out somewhere
and then leave me ‘stranded’ or alone.
He’s not going to suddenly “disapprove of me” and run off and leave me.
“But God, it doesn’t look like what I am doing is doing anything good? Have You left? What are you doing? Am I doing all of this right? Am I doing it all wrong? Help, I need to know that You’ve not left my side. I need to know that You still approve of me…”
Can you sense the fear and the anxiety and the sense of panic in that?
But it all sounds so silly, doesn’t it?
Why would God lead me somewhere, only to abandon me right in the middle of it?
He wouldn’t.
He won’t.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”—Deuteronomy 31:8
“…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:9
…but He’s faithful to reveal an area of my thinking—an area that has become skewed… 💖
an area that He wants to set straight,
an area that He wants to be renewed. ☀️
Thank You, Father. 💝🍃
How You calm my wayward thinking, how You simplify and soothe my chaotic mind.
How You settle me, as I rest, and as I continue to stand upon Your truth!
And I keep moving forward! For You abide in me, and I abide in You.
What we perceive to be the final ‘results’ can be deceiving.
Sometimes it takes a little longer for the fruit to grow…
And I hear You speak into my heart,
“Remain. Keep your hand to the plow. Remember…I will be with you. I will not leave you…”
-Heather 🌺