I battle with knowing when to wait on God and when to step out. For example, I desire to start speaking to women, especially teens and twenty-something, about self-image issues and other topics near and dear to my heart. Still not sure I’d be any good at it. I’ve had no special training. However I’ve spoken a few times and left feeling like I was on a cloud. And if I think back to my childhood, I’ve always wanted to be on stage. In a play, something. Yet I am more introverted than extroverted.
Here’s the dilemma: Some say, “Pray about it and wait on God to open the door.” Others say, “Step out and watch for God part the flood waters.” Okay, so which one is it? The Bible shows examples of both waiting and risking.
I’ve begged God to show me the way for years now. And the desire to encourage women hasn’t left me. So does that mean God is leading me? Or does that mean I have some hidden need for center stage?
What does it mean to “walk” by faith? Is it waiting? Or walking?
Confused and still waiting,
My pastor preached a sermon last Sunday where he said, “Stand and Move.”
You can do both. Stand and wait for God to work–and Move when he tells you to. It can happen at different times and the same time. Be preparing yourself to speak now, be willing now, be ready now–and when it happens, when the doors open–and I know they will–MOVE.
Hi Tiffany. I think Beth is right. I also believe that God understands our confusion and delights to answer our prayers for clarity. He also knows any underlying motive in our hearts, if there is one. When I am confused about the direction he wants me to go, I tell Him all the things you wrote about and ask Him to orchestrate the circumstances in a way that I can see and will glorify Him and not me. Interestingly enough, just the other day I took this photograph with this exact thought in mind. Sometimes we can see the need to choose one direction or another before it is upon us, but other times we must make a decision now. All we can do is ask God to order our steps and turn the way that seems best. If we get off track, I am confident that He will lead us back in the direction He desires of us. He’s been doing that very thing in me the past few months…which is why I took the photo. Blessings!
OH Wow! Tiffany, these honest confessions touch my soul. I’m in the same place. I struggle with the idea of promoting myself – it’s so pretentious, but then how am I going to get started in this ministry of writing/speaking? I was just reading 2 Chronicles 20 where Jehoshaphat prays for God to deliver the Israelites from their enemies and I heard a clear answer. God said to them, you don’t need to fight this battle. Stand and see the Lord’s salvation on your behalf. BUT, He did ask them to get up the next morning and go out praising Him on the way to the battlefield. They took the steps of faith believing that God had already fought the battle for them. And He had. So, I’m taking the steps, beliving that He is moving ahead of me. (Sorry I’m so long-winded).
Thank you, Beth, Patricia, and Heather. Your comments are reassuring. It was hard to blog about this because of the whole self-promotion idea. Yet I’m seeking the counsel of others and obviously God.
All I can say is the waiting is the hardest part! Hopefully I am being shaped as I wait and seek him.
Patricia, thanks for the sign. I love a photo that says something. Maybe that is where I am at.
And Heather, it’s so good to know I am NOT alone. Thanks for sharing. And no, you are not long winded. I’m touched by your willingness to type me a message.
Tiffany — I think you’ve already stepped out. By sharing with us on your blog your dream/calling (same thing) to speak to women/teens about self-esteem and other issues close to your heart, you’ve made a move.
Now–make another move–do what you can do right now. You can prepare a 20-minute talk to teen girls and post it as an MP3 on your blogsite.
I say–keep moving–God loves that kind of faith.
Tiffany,
I think we all struggle with this from time to time. I heard recently that God’s peace is the “umpire” for our life. Colossians 3:15 (AMP) says, “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds…].” The position of the umpire in the game is to call the shots whether you are in or out. Maybe peace then acting as umpire could be the deciding factor whether something should be in or out of your life. Check your peace level from both angles. If it’s ‘yes, let’s step out on this one’, then I am here saying “Go for it my siter, you can do it!”
Hi! thanks for the NaBlo invite…
I have been in your dilemma… The conclusion I eventually came to was that sometimes God is ok with us making either decision. He has placed in you a gift, it’s up to you when you engage it…
I was going to say something, but the others who have posted have already said most of it better than I could have. All I can say is, if you feel called to help people, and you’re _good_ at it, then do it! And the simple fact that you’re _thinking_ about the ‘center stage’ issue means, to me, that that’s probably not what’s going on — and even if it is, you’ll be able to keep it under control.
Tiffany,
This post popped up in my bloglines reader yesterday. I hadn’t even realised it was an older post until I came here. I’ve been pondering and praying about this. I understand the struggle. We want to be *sure* we’re hearing God right and not just moving in our own strength. Yet we don’t want to be hanging back and not willing to take a step of faith.
What strikes me is that you ARE willing. Whatever is on your heart, you’re not saying “no, not me God”. I wonder if that is you “stepping out in Faith”. You’ve said “yes, God, I’m willing, just show me when and how”.
I’d encourage you to keep praying about it. Keep affirming that yes, you are willing to do this. In God’s timing and in God’s way. Ask him to open doors and show you the way. I believe that when we are willing to serve, God isn’t going to sit back and say “no thanks”. 🙂 But, he might say, “it’s not quite time yet”.
Another thought I had about it was whether you’ve considered starting a blog (or posting on this one) writing about the kinds of things you’d like to “say” in speaking to people. I don’t know whether that fits with what you’d like to do or not. I find blogging a helpful way to consolidate my thoughts etc and help me to learn and grow. It’s one of the reasons I started up my 2nd blog on wordpress (http://lightening74.wordpress.com). Not sure if you’ve seen that or not. I had a number of reasons for deciding to blog separately. I’m not saying a separate blog is the right or wrong way for you.
Anyway, just wanted to share these thoughts with you. Feel free to take or leave them depending on how well they sit with you. 🙂
Praying God’s peace upon you as you seek his will in this and other areas of your life.
I’m overwhelmed tonight, November 15th, to receive another comment about my post. The kindness of strangers move me. I now call them my new friends. 🙂
Thank you ALL!