No Parking...

"...Right behind you a voice will say, 'this is the way you should go, whether to the right or to the left.'" - Isaiah 30:21 

I remember a few years ago, me and a few of my girlfriends decided to take a trip to Myrtle Beach for a little summer get-a-way. I remember we loaded the car up, put our sunglasses on and set Molly (that’s what I called my old GPS) on the dashboard.  We pumped the music and started cruising down the highway.  You honestly couldn’t tell us anything, we just knew we were doing it big going to Myrtle Beach. lol Well you couldn’t tell us anything until half-way there, Molly became possessed! We hit a patch on the highway with nothing but woods where there were no satellite signals, and poor Molly had no clue what to do.  First she went blank, then kept saying, “recalculating!”  We were completely terrified because we had absolutely NO clue where we were or how to get to Myrtle Beach.  

"We just have to keep driving until we get a signal."

We were completely and totally dependent on this GPS.  Out of complete fear we pulled over and just parked on the side of the road because we had no idea what we were going to do.  We were too far ahead to turn back, and too far behind to “feel” our way to Myrtle Beach.  We were completely stuck. As we were sitting on the side of the highway, I begin to get scared that we may have to forfeit the trip and just turn around, but then all the sudden my friend had a great idea.  She said, “wait, if we’re just in an area without a signal, then eventually we’ll move back into an area with a signal and Molly will just recalculate.  We just have to keep driving until we get a signal.”  Turns out, my friend was totally right.  Eventually we realized the wooded area didn't last the entire highway and we eventually came back in an area where there was a strong satellite signal and Molly was able to recalculate us.  Funny thing is, we never even had to make a turn to get back on track, we just had to keep moving on the original highway.  It’s crazy how up until recently, what use to be just a funny story to tell has become so relevant in my life today.  

"God does what we can't do, not what we won't do." - Tye Tribbett

After hearing a sermon by TD Jakes about being redirected by God, I was immediately reminded of this story. I realized that I’ve been parked on the side of the highway for a long time.  Fearful of making a mistake, apprehensive of making a wrong turn, I’ve allowed my decisions to be dictated by “playing it safe” rather than putting my whole life in God’s hands.  When we make decisions based on our fear of an uncertain outcome, we’re not operating in faith.  Faith says that even though I have no idea how this is going to work out; I know that it’s going to work out.  I think that’s what messes us up.  We like to have a detailed agenda of God’s plans for our life.  We want to know the who, what, when, where and the why….and THEN make the decision on whether or not we choose to accept the offer. But God doesn’t operate like that.  The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, "We can make plans, but the Lord determines our steps."  But the funny thing about Him directing our steps is we have to be walking in order for Him to do so.  Just like the GPS couldn’t recalculate us while we were parked on the side of the road, we can’t be instructed by God if we’re not already in motion. For some, God is already beginning to place specific desires in your hearts that you’ve been waiting to come to pass. But because of fear and uncertainty you haven’t fully moved out on faith to go after it.  You’ve been hoping that at some point it would just fall into your lap, but it won’t. God wants to bless us with our hearts desires, but there’s also action required on our part. How will we ever know if we’re headed in the right direction if we’re not moving!?  It’s like I heard Tye Tribbett say at one concert, “God does what we can’t do, not what we won’t do.”

"There are so many promises that God wants to fulfill in our lives, but we have to move to where God has them."

When God promised Abraham that He would bless him, His first instructions were to “Get up and leave.”  Abraham had NO idea where he was going, but the promise was that when he got where he was supposed to be, God would tell him.  But Abraham had to first move into the promise. There are so many promises that God wants to fulfill in our lives, but we have to move to where God has them. It would be nice if we never had to step outside of ourselves to receive all of the things God has in store for us, but that’s not the way He works.  He has our lives already planned out. Each day already numbered before we were even born, but He just needs us to start moving in His direction. He knows we won’t always know the way, and He knows we might get scared that we’re making a wrong turn, but the promise is even in those mistakes, He’ll still direct our path.  It’s all a part of the beautiful journey in our relationship with Christ.  Lastly, I want to encourage those who feel like they’ve been moving, but aren’t hearing from God.  TD Jakes said it best, “a GPS really only speaks when we need to make a turn.”  If you’re in motion and you’re not getting any signals, it could be that you’re already in the right direction, exactly where God wants you to be and when it’s time to move, He’ll give you the signal. 

If you’ve been, sitting on the side of the road, watching life pass you by….I encourage you to let today be your last day in park. Put your GPS (God) on the dashboard of your heart, throw your shades on and put your life in drive. He knows your destination, He just needs you to move in His direction.

-Leah

If you haven't already, check out my post, Unfamiliar Territory dealing with moving out of your comfort zone. :)

Bible Study
*For more encouragement on this topic, check out the following scriptures:
Psalm 32:8
Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)
Psalm 37:23
Isaiah 30:20-21
Isaiah 48:17