Greetings, Friends! Susie Larson here!
And to those visiting, welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.
Also, be sure to check out our Faith Radio Page and Facebook page. Every day we have great guests on the show, and every day I pose a faith question on Facebook. We give books away every day! And we’d love to hear from you! If you're not able to listen to the live show, you can always catch a podcast of the show whenever it does work for you. Check it out. You'll be blessed!
Now on to my topic...
A while back I had a conversation with a friend about her journey through the wilderness. It's been a slow and agonizing passage for her. The thing is, if she didn't love and fear God, she could take a few steps to the right and land herself on the fast highway to some kind of breakthrough. But truth be told, that would be her way, not God's way. She’d end up with a counterfeit version of God’s desire for her life. And in the depths of her heart, she wants to lay hold God's highest and best will for her.
As she shared about her weariness in the journey, I leaned in, grabbed her arms, and said, "Listen to me, friend. Your sacrifice of praise and your sacrificial obedience have not gone unnoticed by God. There is NO sacrifice you could make to Him that will not met with a totally disproportionate response of His great love, and grace and provision! Any gift you give, any offering you make, and initiative you take to obey Him when it costs you, will be responded to in ways you cannot imagine. He is a disproportionate God! Understand your wealth in Him. Though you feel the pain of this sacrifice now, get a vision for the response He is preparing for you!"
Maybe these words speak to you today you as well.
Are you weary from well doing? Are you making huge sacrifices for His Name's sake and frustrated by your lack of progress?
May it feels tempting to grab for yourself a counterfeit version of something He has promised you, but deep in your heart, you want to wait for God's best for you.
Do it, my friend. Wait for God's best and see if He won't absolutely blow your mind with His goodness, His grace, and His attention to detail.
If at all possible, get your eyes off of what it's costing you right now, and lift your eyes to the Heavens, your unlimited supply.
If you're lacking in strength or perspective, get alone with God. Spend extended time camped in His presence. Open your hands to receive more of what He so lovingly wants to give. Remind yourself of His Word and His promise to you. Strengthen yourself in Him by reminding yourself who you are TO HIM!
There is no gift you can give, no prayer you can pray, no act of obedience that you can initiate that will not be met by overwhelming love, provision, goodness, grace, and power when the time is right.
You may not see its evidence right away, but the seeds you planted have life in them; they’re affecting change, making a difference, and impacting circumstances in your midst. One day your eyes will see it, so know it now. Stand on the faithfulness of God now. Today. Believe Him for big things. Entrust your cares, your sacrifices, and your gifts to Him.
There is no better, no safer place than with Jesus. And, you'll not receive a better return on your investment of trust, time, and talents. God is in the business of exponential, over and above, beyond our wildest dreams, kinds of answers. Every detail of your life is best entrusted to Him.
Open your arms wide. Look up. Trust Him. He is good and He moves on every act prompted by your faith!
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20)
~Until next week.