The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
A few months ago God called me to step back from something I love, Online Bible Study. As I heard His voice and felt His Spirit prompting me, I was afraid.
How could You God? This is something I love, with people I adore. How can You call me away?
I didn’t understand, but God didn’t offer a choice. He made a mess of me until I chose obedience.
So why am I back? Why am I here doing Online Bible Study again? Why did He call me away, completely away, only to send me back the way I came?
In my tiny human brain it seems silly, pointless even. I’ve struggled with why questions. I like to be in control. If I’m not in control, at very least, I want to understand.
Yet here I lay this morning, heart spread open before The Lord in thankfulness. God didn’t call me away from Online Bible Study because He wanted to take from me. He asked this so I might see the beauty of His will working in my life, in the lives of others, minus the stranglehold of my tight gripping fingers.
I had a grip on Bible study. I knew what I wanted to accomplish. How I wanted to set people free. And how I wanted to share my wisdom. The letter “I” was all over the place. But God took “I” out of the equation and left me with others. Amazing women who serve in Online Bible Study. Phenomenal, gifted women who participate in Bible study. Women doing the work of Christ each and every day.
He took me out so I could see and learn that His ways are always good. That letting it go doesn’t always mean saying goodbye, but moving into the future of a current project with open hands and a renewed heart of worship for what He is already doing.
The Word, The Lord, is doing an awesome and mighty work in your life too. Right now. Amidst turmoil and sorrow. Pain, and even blessings. He is what He is. He does what He says He will do. You need only be still, let it go, and allow Him to press on…
thank you, I think you just opened up my eyes about a lot of things I am trying to control. I need to just wait and pray and trust. Thank you!
Mary. Thank you for your kind words. Letting it go is so freeing even though it seems scary at the time. Praying with you!
Sent from my iPhone
Stephanie thanks so much for your openness this morning. I am so glad this study came up because I didn’t know how much I need to let things go. Welcome back! Looking forward to what He has in store for us in this study. Sweet Blessings to you.
It’s an awesome study!!!! So glad to be studying with you Darlene
Oh I am so thankful that God brought you back. It just wasn’t the same without you! Seriously it was like my arm was missing or something. You are such a blessing. Because you followed God in obedience, you are stronger than ever before. Love you!
Love you Meltay!
Thank you Stephanie for sharing your heart with us. Thank you for showing us your struggle and then your bowing to the Fathers will and Him giving back your desire once again. Kind of like when God called Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. God just wanted to know Abraham was willing and when Abraham was obedient God supplied a sacrifice and he was able to release his son. What gets me is i know this, i know how much smoother my life goes when i trust God and am obedient to Him yet i make myself miserable doing whatever it is the hard way first. Duh!
Doing obedience is hard for sure!!!!
Stephanie, for over 6 years now I have been in a shifting of the atmospheres so it seems. Change in seasons of our lives, death and grief from losing two brothers in three years has been a bittersweet experience. I have had to hang on to every promise kicking and screaming and reminding God of what His Word says.. After doing exactly what you said, letting go and trusting Him, He allowed me time to breathe again. I have found a new freshness. God is sweeter than I can of imagined in the past, and I thought He was pretty amazing. God is sooo sweet to woo us to Himself through the trials and sufferings in life. Thankful they are just seasons and I know my passion is to help those around me not get stuck either.. Bless you this wonderful day for doing the same. You are a blessing.. and He is soo pleased with you.. Grace with faith and our imperfect progress is all He is looking for:0 I am in.. glad you are too…
Blessings to you too sweet Melanie!!
stephanie – such a beautiful post and so real. it is amazing what God does and how He moves in our lives and how when we are obedient to him amazing things follow. love you girl and thank you for your openness and your beautiful heart.
Love you too girl!
Beautiful! Glad you are happy and doing what you are passionate about again.
Me too Mary! Loving this study!
Great post Stephanie! I am glad you are back. : )
Thanks Sue! It’s so fun getting to do Bible study with you!!!