It was apparent this year that we were thirsty for this time. We have each been experiencing (separately) an unsettling in our souls, and a yearning to see God with fresh eyes. When we mustered the courage to tell one another our inner-most secrets, it was freeing to know that God was taking us through the same waters together. Isn’t it amazing how that works?
This past Sunday, while listening to a (new to us) pastor teach, he said,
“God does not call us to fear – uncomfortable, maybe – but He does not call us to fear.”
That resonated with me right down to my toes. My stomach lurched and my goose pimples appeared.
During an intentional conversation with you a few weeks back, my husband shared with us our call to be missionaries right where we are. This past year was not a year where our lives reflected what our hearts’ desired – to love God and to love others … with passion!
Mark says we have grown stagnant. I say we have put ourselves in a box. Together we agree that we have become far too comfortable.
Right now, I feel like I’m clawing at the box, begging it to open. I’m treading water, and I’m growing far too weary – only the tip of my nose remains out of water, and I long to breathe.
For the first time in my life, I can identify fully with David when he wrote,
“I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” ~Psalm 143:6
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
However, I fail to identify with him further when he says in verse 2,
“So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.”
I don’t get that. I haven’t seen God’s power and glory the way David is describing. But I think that this year will be that year.
Mark and I are creating some pretty uncomfortable plans. Some of them voluntarily and some of them are completely the Lord’s pursuit of us. The truth is … we want to see God’s power. We want to experience His glory.
The pastor this past week quoted a movie line that went something like this,
“Twenty seconds of insane courage can change your life.”
To step outside your comfort zone, to take a chance of someone disagreeing, to take a chance on something that you see no possible way it will work, to fall flat on your face, and to love people with all you have is … uncomfortable. It’s hard. But I want to do it. I want you to do it.
So will you go with me this year? Will you take a chance with me? Will you purpose to pray for the impossible with me? Will you purpose to be uncomfortable? Will you let it go? Come with me. Let’s stand stark naked in front of our heavenly Father and say, Clothe me! Change me! Make me uncomfortable … for your glory!
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Athena Bonner
January 12, 2012 at 8:31 amWhat an amazing post! I completely understand where you’re coming from and can tell you that I feel very similar. Thank you for your enouragement today!
Leigh Ann
January 14, 2012 at 11:36 am@Athena, I am so glad you were encouraged!
Caroline @ Southern Mom Says
January 12, 2012 at 2:45 pmVery inspiring and thought provoking words. My husband and I are going through a similar change and it feels great!
Leigh Ann
January 14, 2012 at 11:39 amIsn’t it amazing what happens when the Lord changes your perspective? Thanks for commenting!
Mindy @ The Purposed Heart
January 12, 2012 at 3:00 pmYou know I love this, Leigh Ann 🙂 Very well written!
Leigh Ann
January 14, 2012 at 11:39 amThanks, Mindy! (((hugs)))
Anne Simpson
January 13, 2012 at 9:29 amI have found that whenever I get too comfortable, God has a way of making me rather un-comfy! I rarely understand what He’s doing at the time, but hindsight is 20-20 as they say. Love this post!
Leigh Ann
January 14, 2012 at 11:42 am@Anne, it never ceases to amaze me that God loves me enough to draw me back to Himself, even when my heart is far from Him. Ohhh to see the day that I no longer have to be “un-comfy” to “get it.” 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
January 14, 2012 at 10:16 amWe’re going through the uncomfortable right now. We were pretty much forced into it, but it definitely is an awakening.
My husband is a contemporary Christian musician (www.stephenbautistamusic.com) and a real estate appraiser in the hardest hit real estate market in the nation. Obviously, our “real” business crashed. At the same time, our firstborn landed in the hospital with a lifelong (and expensive and unpredictable) illness, and we learned we were expecting our seventh baby. While we had a great financial system in place, the longterm aspect of our downfall led to financial disaster.
Blessings among tears.
We are working hard on getting the music mission up and running again after its hiatus due to life, and God has blessed our efforts in these early stages. Our daughter is up and down, but much better than she was last spring when she could barely walk. Our new baby is a blessing and puts a smile on our faces whether we want to smile or not! 🙂
I am excited to see how God restores the years the locusts have eaten. And, of course, every time I see a window opened, a prayer answered, I share with my children the way God works in the mud and the tears to His glory and to win back the souls of His children.
Leigh Ann
January 14, 2012 at 11:57 am@Christy, all I could think of I could think of was “faith like a child” that God calls us to. Isn’t it amazing that He uses the little lives of our children to speak the truth to us about having joy amid all circumstances?
I love the verse “God restores the years the locusts have eaten.” I had not thought of this during our season of trial. This is incredibly encouraging. Thank you so much for reminding me of God’s promises! What a glorious truth!
I believe God is glorified by you, Christy! I pray that He continues giving you strength in the weeks and months to come!