When God gives you a new vision, and then leads you through a mind-boggling process to embrace and prepare for it, your time of release will come! No question about it. The next step is up to you. Are you ready to believe God and enter a new day? Are you poised to let go and step out on the path that leads to your future?
Looking back on when the Lord shifted me out of an administrative career into full-time writing, He made certain I could clearly see my new path was unfolding by His hand. Because after getting the eye-opening call at work from my prospective employer (see my last blog)—it was my turn to make a move. That challenged me, because for several reasons the thought of leaving Houston had become bittersweet. After hanging up, hands shaking, I quickly called my husband and broke the news. There was a long silence on the other end (during which, I’m sure, he was regaining his composure). Numbed yet exhilarated, we agreed to talk more that evening.
I am thankful that my husband and I were walking in agreement. I wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was really happening. We both realized: our next step was to give notice to our employers. Whew! Beyond giving up our positions, my boss’ wife worked with my husband and had been instrumental in getting him an interview with their organization, and we had become good friends. At times, the world can feel like a tiny place.
God’s Word of Release
Days passed as I anticipated giving notice to the best boss I had ever worked for. It felt like I was walking a tightrope. This was real. God was requiring me to trust Him, let go of my “perfect arrangement,” and choose to step out on His path back to Dallas. I prayed and prayed. At times, it was grueling, heartbreaking. Then one day while I was seeking the Lord, He gave me a promise from Mark 10:29–30:
“…there is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
I broke down in tears as a divine light bulb illuminated my spirit and peace flooded my entire being. And I received the promise. A greater future was ahead. We both gave notice at work, and despite our initial concerns, my boss and his wife handled the news spectacularly. He even gave me a special going-away gift, a beautiful Montblanc pen, to commemorate my new writing career.
My husband and I were off to the races, thanking God, packing to return to Dallas, and making a flurry of preparations until the unthinkable happened. Bear with me, there’s too much to share to go into this now. Just hang on till next week—because there are times when our decision to follow the Lord is tested.
The Next Step
Entering a new day sounds wonderful but the process can be unsettling. It impacts us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. At times, we must put our mind in check to do something that defies logic. What vision has God shown you? Has He ever required you to let go everything you’ve known and step into the future? If so, how did you respond? Did you come all the way through the process, or did something hinder you? Here’s the bottom line. God is impartial (see Acts 10:34–35). What He did for me, He’ll do for you. And if you missed taking a step, He may give you another opportunity to shift onto a new path of destiny. I know because He’s done it for me a time or two. God’s gifts and His calling are “irrevocable” (see Romans 11:29).
Now, let’s pray: Heavenly Father, we come to You in the Name of Jesus, thanking You for Your love, wisdom, and goodness. Thank You for teaching us and for guiding us on our path, so that when You release us, we walk into the new. If, for some reason, my friend has missed taking that step, thank You for extending mercy and grace. Draw us to You, Lord. Give us a heart that is willing to trust You, let go, and step onto the path of our greatest potential. Amen.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)