I woke up a few mornings ago feeling restless and impatient. I am eager to get to know people and start spending time with our new church family, but with the current events, and some time consuming things that are demanding our attention elsewhere, the opportunities have been limited.
If I dwell on it, it can give me an almost crippling sense of loneliness. But in reality, that loneliness is God calling me to draw closer to Him than ever before. He’s the only One who can fill that void anyway, whether He does it through the presence of a like-minded friend, or by teaching me to be satisfied in His presence. (Which by the way is His goal!)
I know from experience that when we come honestly and humbly into a conversation with God through prayer, He will always meet us where we are. Demanding an answer, or grumbling into it out of obligation gets very little response from Him, if any. But when our heart is firmly turned in His direction, He can’t stay away!
So, instead of letting the loneliness run rampant, I headed into my office to spend more time with Him and determined I would wait to see what He will do about my desires.
I wasn’t seated at my desk for more than a few minutes, when I realized how desperately I needed His companionship, and I asked Him for something from His Word to assure me He hadn’t forgotten about my desires. The moment the words left my heart, He gave me the following promises:
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Jesus Christ through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Each time I read this passage, it reminds me that whatever I think I want, God has so much more in store for me, and if I haven’t seen that proven over the last two years, then I’m a lost cause!
I don’t need to worry about making new friends or building new connections with people. He’s already got that all lined up. I just have to be patient in trusting Him and His timing. And, on top of all that, the relationships will be so much better than anything I could have tried to work out or search out on my own.
He also gave me Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord who has mercy on you.
The whole chapter washed through me with His promise that all the pain and hurt and loss I’ve been through isn’t for nothing. He has been faithful through it all, and He will remain faithful.
There are moments as we merge into a new community and church, and as we adjust to a new rhythm of daily life when it can feel like all the mountains and hills we’d surrounded ourselves with for protection, guidance, and comfort have been shaken and moved. But the reality is, God has never moved from our side.
In this promise is not only the reminder that He never left us, but the promise that He will always be with us. There will be more hard times, hurts, and likely betrayals and injured feelings to come. The people we will get to know and do life with are just as human as those we’ve known and done life with in the past.
But – I’ve trusted Him this far. I’ve trusted Him with my soul for all of eternity. I’ve trusted Him over and over and over. I have no reason NOT to trust Him now and forever.
He is faithful beyond all measure!
Hope Always,
Michelle B.
Current Playlist:
Current Read:
- Havoc by Taylor Longford (YA Fiction)