A weekend of quiet....and dreams

So last weekend, some dear friends loaned me the use of their RV for a much-needed weekend getaway.  My goal was to spend some quiet time with the Lord, in His word, in prayer, in reflection.  It seems like like is a constant whirlwind of activity, and I just needed some time to slow down and reconnect with my God and my purpose in life.

My weekend actually went much differently than I had planned...but that was just fine.  I took along this book: 

I read the first chapter, and then journalled my answers to the questions Holley asked at the end.  Took a little break...and went back to the second chapter.  The weekend continued in this way...read a chapter, answered questions...little break...until I finished the entire book in the weekend. 

I love the way Holley writes...just like she is sitting across the table from you with the cup of something hot she offers at the beginning of the book.  Her book challenges you to listen to God's voice...to what He is calling you to do.  Your God-Sized dream may be to stay home with your children and give them a strong foundation, or it may be to travel the world speaking to those who need to hear His Word...big or small they are all God-given dreams and important to your life purpose. 

I left my weekend getaway knowing that I am doing what God wants me to do...that this path of writing, and Christian Life Coaching is the path He wants me to follow.  I have no idea where it will ultimately lead...but I feel confident that the pushes I feel are from Him and that He will direct my steps forward.  There are parts of this future ahead of me that scare me silly...but as Holley points out, that fear can be useful. 

I'm excited to see just how far this God-sized Dream takes me!  And even if its not very far...that's ok, because I know it will accomplish whatever purpose He has in mind!  What are your dreams?  Where do you think God is taking you? 

Journey into Joy - Nehemiah's dream

Nehemiah was a man with a dream.  To rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah was not a builder..no, he was the cup bearer to the king.  Yet, Nehemiah felt the nudgings telling him to do something...Jerusalem was broken, and his heart was broken for it.  He knew he had to do something about it...

He had to go to the king, ask permission to go and do this work...this other work that had nothing to do with his own position as cup bearer.  Nehemiah took his fear in hand, and went before the king - but not without praying before he went, as well as right there in the presence of the king!  And, he was granted permission.

Was it an easy job?  No.  Nehemiah met opposition many times along the way.  He had to stand up to the naysayers, organize the workers, teach the them how to work with one hand and protect themselves with the other...on and on.  He could have given in to despair and fear.  He could have given up when enemies attacked, trying to impede the progress.   He could have said "I am a cup bearer.  I don't have the skills for this.  I give up!" But he kept at it...with his eyes focused on the dream, the goal of a Jerusalem whole and sturdy.

And when the walls were rebuilt, he set up for the city leaders and teachers.  They spoke the law of the Lord, read the sacred Word to the people.  And when the people realized how far they had wandered from God, they cried out...and Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites reminded them of God's love.  He reminded them that God was always faithful.  He told them not to grieve, but to celebrate the goodness of our Lord...our God of second chances and forgiveness.  He reminded them that God stands before us with arms outstretched, offering joy and strength... "the joy of the Lord is your strength."  (Nehemiah 8:10)
 
The joy of the Lord is your strength.  These words are true for you and I, as well.  Yes, we've done things that grieve the heart of our God.  Yes, we have done things for which we must repent and turn away, turn back to God.  Yes, we've allowed the walls of Jerusalem to lie crumbled around us.  But, we can rebuild that city in our own hearts.  We can dream and do the work the Lord sets before us.  We can, because we have the joy of the Lord and it gives us strength to stand against the evil one.  The joy of the Lord gives us hope to look into the future and see past our current sufferings to the growth that will surely come.  The joy of the Lord is our strength.  He holds us up.  He stands next to us in all things.  He is faithful...even when we are not. 

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."  (Phil. 4:13)  Yes.  I can.  You can.  He gives us strength.  And joy.  Choose it.  Accept it.  God-given joy and strength for every day, every trial, every tear, every suffering, every moment of growth, every step taken forward in faith, every success.  You may choose to give in to despair...or to take the hand of the Lord that is held out to you and choose strength...and joy.