Shaken...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

Susie Larson here...

I post every Wednesday, and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. 

Before I get into my topic, I have a gift card to give away. And the winner is...Rebecca Marshaw! Congratulations and thank you for stopping by week after week. Please email me at info@susielarson.com to claim your gift card.

Each month I give away a $10.00 gift Caribou Coffee gift card to someone who has posted on my blog. Leave a comment; you may win a nice treat!

I'm excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Uncommon Woman"

We have lots of exciting things going on as a result. Visit my website for more information. One thing I'll share is especially for you. In August instead of giving away a $10.00 gift card, we're giving away a $50.00 VISA card as well as several copies of my new book. Each week I will post on what it means to be uncommon and I want to hear from you! If you post, your name will go into the drawing. Drop me a line and say hi!

Ahhhh...And now on to my topic...

I've talked to a lot of people lately (myself included...yup, that's right; I do talk to myself on occasion) and you know, there's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on!

Many people have expressed an unsettling feeling; a sense that change is coming; and a profound awareness of their own frailties and weaknesses (myself included).

Whatever is not grounded in Christ, whatever is not nailed down in our character is being stirred up!

This past Sunday, before church, my husband and I sat out on the deck and talked about the countless ways God has been faithful to us. I turned to Kevin and said, "You know, five years ago, I sought hard after the Lord and asked Him for a vision for my next place of promise..."

If you've heard me speak, you know I firmly believe that we are called to go from strength to strength; from glory to glory; shining ever brighter until the full light of day (See Psalm 84:7 and Proverbs 4:18). The righteous shall live by faith. Without faith it's impossible to please Him. And there's a 'next place' of promise for all of us.

I continued with my husband, "Five years ago, God gave me a very clear sense of His plan for me and since then, all of those things have come to pass. But with all of the 'shaking' going on, I've not asked God for a fresh vision for my future. I've been more motivated by fear than by faith. I'm more aware of my weakness than I am His strength."

Together we came to the conclusion that the Lord deserves our highest and best. We bowed our heads, we confessed our own lack of faith, and we asked God for a fresh perspective and vision for our future. As soon as we said, "Amen" I was filled with faith and peace.

Within the past few days, some mighty opportunities have come our way. Not what I expected. Not something I feel qualified for. But instead of looking down, my faith compelled me to look up.

This morning during our prayer time on the deck I told Kevin, "You know, I'm glad God allowed that little sifting time because it forced me to reconcile every shred of unbelief in me. In so many ways it feels like our lives are about to change, but I can trust Him. I know it." 

Are you currently experiencing a time of sifting or shaking? Pay close attention to what God is putting His finger on in you! Maybe you're trusting more in your ability than His. Maybe you're more motivated by fear than faith. Just maybe, He wants to do a BIG thing, and you're expecting He'll do noth-ing. 

Put everything on the table, all of your hopes and dreams and fears, and then step back and say, "You get to decide how this goes, Lord. My times are in Your hands."

If He's shaking that which is unsettled in you, it's only because He wants you prepared to go to the next place He has for you. And be sure of this - He has a next place of promise for you.

Be blessed and full of faith this week.

He is faith-FULL.

Comments

[Helen Martin]

I LOVED hearing you on "Along the Way." Most of it had to be via the podcast, due to my daughter's orthodontist appointment falling at such an inopportune time! (I wish I could have called you!)

You did wonderfully; you were so kind, so present, and so engaged. Thank you for that great advice to Kristen from Scandia (and me...)

Perhaps you had it planned, but if not, you stumbled upon perhaps the best show closing I have ever heard:

"God has a plan for your life and He is crazy, crazy in love with you."

I could listen to you say that every weekday at 2:00 pm for the rest of my life.

[Rebecca]

Hello Susie! Thank you so much for the gift card:) I cant wait to start reading your book. You have so much to offer my walk with Christ. I look forward to every Wednesday so I can read your message. Thank you for being so faithful about it. Wow I cant wait to find out how God is moving in your life.

Bless you! ~Becca

[Liesl]

I needed to hear this today...thanks for this post.

Love you,Lisa

[Traci Petersen]

Thanks for your blog!

I'm grateful to hear that we should go from strength to strength--God has given me so much in my life, it shouldn't be that difficult for me to see those "stepping stones" of strength behind me. It's taking the next step that sometimes trips me up. I have four kids and a husband in the military reserves, and I know I should be more effective in my life. I guess it's probably normal that I feel tired all the time right now!

Well, thanks again for your blog, your hosting on "Along the Way," and your upcoming event at Maple Grove Northwestern Bookstore. Perhaps I will see you there!

[jeannie belle]

susie, i have heard this message from many different directions recently...change is coming and it won't look like we expect it to and we really have to be trusting in god's goodness and that he is in control or we will have a very difficult time getting through it. thanks for the reminder that sifting is for our benefit!jeannie belle

[Susie Larson]

Helen,Your words encouraged me so very much!I was stepping into new territory being a radio host but it sure was fun.

And no, I didn't plan my closing words, they just spilled out of me (probably just for you).

Have a blessed weekend~

[Susie Larson]

Rebecca,

You always say that I encourage you, but you encourage me just as much.

You are such a blessing to me~

[Susie Larson]

Lisa,

You are not alone.

We're in this together.

Love you too~

[Susie Larson]

Traci,

Bless your heart!

Why don't you email me privately (info@susielarson.com) and send me your address. I'll send you a complimentary copy of my book, "Alone in Marriage." I hope it encourages you and nourishes your soul. He's with you on this journey. :)Bless you, dear~

[Rachel Smith]

Oh what a beautiful message, Susie. A timely one, too! Just this week the Lord very clearly told me that Hosea 10:12 was going to be made evident in my life.

"Sow with a view to righteousness,Reap in accordance with kindness;Break up your fallow ground,For it is time to seek the LordUntil He comes to rain righteousness on you."

Breaking up my fallow ground sounds painful and yet amazing to me. A whole new crop ... but no one likes to be plowed. :) Your message was encouraging and hopeful to me. Thank you.

- Rachel

[Stephanie]

Wow! I just returned from a missions trip and a key point that was discussed over and over again was how we need to ask God to show us the vision He has for our lives and to trust Him with it. This is just another confirmation in my life! Thank you Susie!

[Terry Fielder]

Hi Susie I just came across your site today, Gods timing.I was looking for your book alone in marriage and found that and so much more. I look forward what God has . Blessings

[Loree Arrington]

Thank you for a right ON word today! The other day, I was cleaning my son's fish tank after the two year old deposited an entire container of fish flakes in it, and man was it a mess until I got it clean. I thought then, "that's exactly what I feel like right now"

Shaken...not stirred. Thank you for the encouragement to press in for fresh vision! You are truly a blessing!!!

[Leah]

Hey - I just got your email/zine and I always read them but I've never told you how much your words have meant to me. Thanks for reminding me what's important (God) in the midst of many other emails in my day.

[Tammy]

You always manage to relate to anyone anywhere and I thank you for hitting the nail on the head in my own life.

Sometimes in the desert of my life, I develop a thirst for God that I otherwise might not-even though the deserts are dry and barren until we get back to the mountain top.

I am thankful for His stirring.

God Bless you S,Tam

[Susie Larson]

Jeannie,

I've been offline for what seems like ages. Anyway, thank you for your post. I appreciated your confirmation. Though these are sober times, God is on the move and His promises are true for us. Aren't you glad that we are on the winning side?Love you, friend.

[Susie Larson]

Rachel,

The word God gave you is profound. I'm glad you posted it because I think it may resonate with a number of people.

A great harvest is coming!

[Susie Larson]

Stephanie,

Welcome back from the mission field! I would love to hear more about the vision God is giving you!Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Terry,

Welcome! And please forgive my delayed response to your post.

I've been traveling the past two weeks and haven't had access to internet.

May your soul be encouraged today.Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Loree,

Thanks for stopping by amidst your fish flake fiasco!May His presence in your life become more pronounced; may others notice His mighty hand on your life; and may you take on the mountain when He tells you to.Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Leah,

I can't tell you how much comments like yours mean to me.Thanks so much for taking the time to post.Hope to hear from you again!Blessings,Susie

[Susie Larson]

Dear Tammy,

Your comment completely humbles and blesses me.

And you are so right! We develop desperation and thirst for the things of God in the deserts of our lives!

Without those desperate times, we feed on the things that comfort the flesh but weaken the spirit. And we barely notice what we're missing.

May God have His way in all of us!

[Angie]

Susie - Your comments about "Maybe you're trusting more in your ability than His. Maybe you're more motivated by fear than faith. Just maybe, He wants to do a BIG thing, and you're expecting He'll do noth-ing." - WOW these words rang truer than you could even know. I am living in fear that God will do nothing versus the HUGE thing my heart longs for - thanks for pointing me back in the right direction.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Angie,

I just want you to know that you are NOT alone! Lots of people are going through similar battles. I think it's the times in which we live. No better time to hold our ground and keep our eyes fixed on Heaven! God's promises are true for us!Bless you~