Roughly fifteen years ago, I received a prophetic word that I would be enterring "strange lands". Metaphorically, "strange lands" is rather a vague term. Within a few weeks of that word, I would encounter odd situations. A few months later, I moved geographically to a place that had a different culture. Overall, my spiritual life and everyday experaiences would be so foreign from the dreams and goals I espoused as a young woman.
Fifteen years later, life is still strange. I could never have imagined where I am today. The reality of life has moments when it's stranger than fiction. For this reason, it's so essential to have an anchor. There was a chorus we sang in Spanish church that roughly translates to the following: Christ is my Rock, the anchor of my faith. I realize that over the past several years, I've become so fascinated by what's happening around me that I've neglected staying connected to my Anchor. Life can often dazzle me with smoke and mirrors. In fact, I even derive joy in making the discovery that it's just smoke and mirrors and telling others about my discovery. Today, I came to realization that I've become sidetracked by distractions. No more.
We're fortunate to have a God who gives us the room to grow and the space to refocus on Him. That's one way in which I see grace in action. Another gift of God is to become aware of the outside pressures that detract from His purpose. After some solid conversations with godly people, I've found myself recalibrating. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." I've received a lot of great counsel over the past few weeks. I'm grateful to the wonderful people for making room for in their lives for me.
Finally, there are some key verses that have been resonating in my spirit. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." There are some issues I'm facing that are boggling my mind. I'm a thinker. I've always spent time in thought. I believe that God gave me a brain to use; it's not in my cranium for decoration. I believe we have a moral obligation to use our gray matter. However, using my brain and leaning on my own understanding are different things. Choosing to see something from my perspective can taint the ability to see a thing for what it is. This applies to relationships and to what God's hand is up to.
I don't always understand why I'm in a particular place for a determined season. I don't always understand what God is doing in my life. I may not have insight into why He's giving me a particular set of instructions. The truth is that it doesn't matter what I do and don't understand. My job is to put my faith in action and to trust Him. Forget my trust issues! He's trustworthy. He has my best interest in mind. He knows what He's doing. I can rest assured in His sovereignty.