It’s never too late to establish some new goals and pursue that dream that was planted within the soil of your heart.
But what if I fail? What will others think of me? What if I heard incorrectly?
How legitimate are these fears? Very. Should you or I embark on a season of pursuing that which we believe is GOD ordained because this dream won’t let go of us? There’s only one way to know.
As I read through the suggestions and recommendations of ‘known’ individuals, all say to write down (create your ‘list’) your desired projects then start to identify the priority of each. Then look closely at what each requires of you.
There’s a tiny part of me (the adventuresome side) that says, ‘what if I do …?’ And then there’s that overly cautious part of me (don’t do something you’ve not researched well) that says, ‘you’re so not prepared for …’
Can anyone relate?
Close friends and few family members alike have nudged me to ‘follow my dreams’ and step out beyond my comfort zone. That’s scary to me. I’m on that side of the mountain now … and my mountain is starting to get some visible snow on the peaks … there’s not much room for error or extra time to waste. The fear of costly mistakes and loss of precious time is frightening.
Drum roll please. The “R” word: risk. Somehow that word feels like it belongs on the backside of the mountain — you know, where things don’t grow and weeds choke life. Risk sounds like it’s permissible for the younger ones who can recover any lost time. After all, they can still bounce back from a set back. But me?
I think of all the people that Jesus held out His Hand to and said, “Come follow me.” Something ‘stirred’ within their soul that urged them to surrender. That something that they had never felt before. They trusted this holy nudging and blazed a trail for those of us to come up behind them.
And as the Bible declares that many did exactly that, many more did not. We do not have a detailed account of every single person that did an unexpected pivot later down the road, however, I’d like to think that some of those skeptics had a change of heart and gave theirs to the Savior.
The first step is the faith step that leads to the next step.
So what if we held out that dream, goal, target, aspiration, plan … and just put it out there for the Lord to have His way with it and us? Would we trust in His Wisdom to give it back to us in what we might consider an unrecognizable form? We say so casually, ‘Not my will but Thine be done,’ but do we truly rest in those words?
Sorting out dreams and impressions from GOD … so much of which cannot be articulated with words or penned with strokes of the pen. I often think that’s GOD’S way of whispering to us to ‘keep it under wraps for now’ until the right time comes along for us to disclose and reveal such dreams to a watchful world.
Joseph had a dream and when he told his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Please listen to the dream I had. Genesis 37:5-6 GW
Yes, there are times when the Lord would prefer we keep it between He and me. At least for the time being.
LINDA R. JOHNSON
I know that if I just keep showing up — moving along at the same pace, doing what I’m called to do in this season of wonder, my faithfulness will reap a harvest of some progress … the end result will be something … but what am I hoping to see? What is that end-of-the-day something something that I’m supposed to look expectantly for?
The ambiguity expressed here may feel or sound familiar to you … maybe you’re in a similar quandary of sorts. But when you feel the Lord stirring and moving and nudging you … but you’re not able to identify what that looks like or what you’re supposed to see … it’s like walking through a fog.
As I ponder over the recent clues, or rather, a heavenly ‘hints‘ … as to what it might look like, I trust that in His Divine Mercy GOD will fill in the blanks. And in the gaps, I know that GOD has already written my story lines. I know that He has designed the front cover and the back cover, but I grow impatient at times not knowing how the pages that fill those chapters will unfold.
Choosing to show up — I believe that’s that thing called faith. And if I remember correctly, that’s the impactful difference between living in Christ, as opposed to merely living alongside Him. I cannot simply acknowledge Him without surrendering to Him. Either I am with Him (following His commands) or I am not (doing my own thing). Following Jesus from a distance is not truly following; it’s merely observing.
Because in that gap is where doubt and fear have the ability to creep in and wedge a bigger gap that inevitably becomes a canyon.
LINDA R. JOHNSON
We task-oriented ones are bent towards progress and making headway. We thrive on checking off those boxes. How can I be so confident when I don’t see the plan?
Track record. Look at GOD’s.
We can go back to the beginning of time, Friend and recall how GOD called Moses to do the impossible. At least, to Moses it was impossible. Funny, I don’t recall reading that Moses ever asked GOD to identify his purpose in life. In fact, one of the most striking common threads I see woven among the Biblical heroes is the chain of three words, “Here I am.”
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
Lord knows I have less time in front of me than I do behind me. If I look to see what my own human hands can get into, with only what I know, I could possibly cut short the possibility of living out an amazing experience with the Lord.
There’s a lesson in doing what is in front of me. It calls me as if to say, “Look at me! I need your attention — now!”
The work that stares back at me — at the very least, I must proactively handle it. But I don’t dare take one step forward without consultation: prayer.
If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. James 1:5 GWT
It’s far too easy to discount the importance of what is in front of us. When you really get in there to unpack the treasure (easy to say from hindsight), we must also give thanks to the GOD Who deems us chosen to participate. In His infinite Wisdom, He has chosen us for _______________________ (you fill in the blanks, Friend). Would you have chosen you for the mission? I know my answer to that is a quick ‘no.’ And yet, the Creator of the universe says, ‘This one.’ Relish in that moment for a few seconds, will you? You. Are. Chosen.
Taking a step of faith to walk into your Holy Assignment for this season (because it will change from one to another) is nothing short of trusting in the Lord to deliver on His Word. If you’re like me, sometimes it’s a wobbly step — much like a toddler that’s learning how to walk. Worse case scenario, we cave under the temptation to just sit and suffer from paralysis. Frozen by our own demise.
So, how do I know what I’m supposed to do? Can I be certain that this assignment staring me in the face is from GOD?
My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, John 10:27 GWT
Cultivating any relationship requires communication. As we grow in our personal relationship with the Lord, His Voice becomes familiar to us. We start to recognize the way He speaks to us — much like the way we can identify our loved ones over the phone without them telling us their names. We may not necessarily hear Him speak audibly, but we will see and hear His gentle responses to us in reading His Word, listening to informed preachers and teachers, studying Scripture and being in community with His People.
Are you ready to get going on what the Lord has already laid in your heart? You may know what it is — maybe with a few hints, but no details. And that’s okay — faith will take you there. Hope will secure your footing. Trust will lead you. Wisdom will keep you. Jesus will always love you.
8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8 NASB1995
Let’s be women of courage and strength, clothed in dignity, with a mindset of excellence — because that’s how Daughters of Royalty behave.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25 NASB1995
Rise up, Sister … it’s time to get moving! Let’s do this.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 