Wednesday, January 6, 2010
In Sync
Lately, I've been wanting to branch off from blogging a little bit. Write a few devos. An article or two. Get them published! See my name in print! Oh, yeah! I am so digging that. However....
Since God is actually the One who gave me this writing dream in the first place, I decided that I should ask Him about my brilliant idea.
You know.
Be sure that His plan is in sync with my plan. And all of that kind of stuff.
Like now's the time. The right time. Best time. The only time. To make this transition.
Probably not a problem.
But I asked anyway.
And this is the answer that I got:
Be still before the LORD (Zechaiah 2:13a).
Be still!
You've got to be kidding! What happened to our harmonious plans? Does God really want me to be still? As in no motion. No action.
Just be still. Before Him.
And if I am still, how will I ever get to where I'm going? Where I want to go in my dreams.
Obviously, He has other plans for me right now.
At first, I was sad, but not now. I'm learning about being still before Him. Not just when I read the Bible and pray and write in my journal.
But He's teaching me to be still during the day. At work. At home. Wherever I am. Whatever my circumstances. Even when things are beyond my control.
I'm discovering the blessings that God gives to us as we get still before Him.
His presence - so sweet and tender and loving.
His peace - not the fractured, short-lived kind that the world offers, but a peace that passes all understanding and is eternal.
His protection - nothing can touch us that hasn't been sifted through His nail-scarred hands.
His preparation - on the mountain top, in the valley, in the wilderness, and, yes, even in the desert. Wherever we are.
His plan - will be brought to perfect completion.
His promise - that He the Dream Giver is our very great reward.
Do I still want a little writing action? Sure. But if it doesn't happen, I'll be ok.
Just wondering about you. Any stories about your plans being out of sync with God's plans? How did things turn out?
Let me know.
Sweet dreams,
Deb
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You can do both at the same time. GOD will open the door for you in HIS time! Many publishers want to know about your blog following if you are trying to publish a book, so don't give up blogging.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, andrea
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI find that when we learn to let go of what we want and go with what God desires, the outcome is always more than we ever dreamed possible. Perhaps this is the time God is using you for you next writing assignment during this time of stillness.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Deb,
ReplyDeleteBe still & KNOW that HE is GOD. He gave you the dream and the ability to write. Abba Father does not play tricks on His children. HE will fulfill your dream & give you the desires of your heart.
Just keep on with your blog. It is a blessing to more people than you realize and it is pleasing to the heart of God.
I love you,
Big Sis
It's tough to be still, but that seems to be one of the messages God gives me most often.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you're right. God does open doors according to His perfect plan. And I'm learning so much from blogging; it's good preparation.
ReplyDeleteKat,hope you're feeling better. I think that God is drawing me closer to Him.
Big Sis, first time to post a comment! Thank you. Good advice. I will be still. And wait. He is God. No other god can compare to Him.
Whimzie, I always think that I have to be doing something. And He just wants us to come into His presence.
Always, it seems, out of sync and on my own. God's taken me through my paces on this one. I'm learning, Deb, and most days, I'm at peace with God's pace. It took a lot of disappointment and failure to get there, but I finally exhausted my dreams so much that I was willing to trade them in for God's. Still not sure what that looks like, but I have a better idea now than I did a year ago.
ReplyDeleteLove you. I'll try and "be still" tonight.
peace~elaine
Be still....I used to hate that...now I know when I'm still...He can speak to me..show me what He wants...what I need and when He speaks and when He shows me...wow...I can fly. love your post. Sarah
ReplyDeleteDeb, God will show you. In the waiting still write, and look for opportunities the Lord might have you do. He always want our willing hearts. Blessings***
ReplyDeleteEvery time I've pursued writing, for publishing sake, I've hit a wall. But every time I've spent writing, simply to commune with God and encourage others, the Lord surprisingly opens the doors when I least expect it, using (sometimes months and years later) the exact thing I thought was just for the two of us. So now, I pursue nothing, pray for direction, and write as He leads...waiting for the time for the big ideas in my head to be confirmed by the Lord.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, as you be still. Enjoy it immensely.
I truly believe if we listen to him, it will out work out the way it should. It is the listening that is the hard part.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that God plants seeds, reveals to us His the dream He put within us. God told me to do something 11.5 years ago. I asked when? He said 10 years - I'm still waiting - but I have learned that waiting is part of the relationship, the dream development. "Not now" does not mean "No."
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your week - and your dream!
BTW - I have a thank you over at my place!
Hi! The waiting and being still is the hard part but we can't really focus on Him until we do get still. Then we might be able to hear Him and share outselves with Him.
ReplyDeleteHave a Beautifully Blessed 2010...
Cynthia K. (Beauty and Blessings)
Me again...I forgot to tell you that I signed up to be a follower of yours Come see me soon - I'd be honored if you'd follow me also.
ReplyDeleteCynthia K. (Beauty and Blessings)
Hi, Deb! I needed to hear those words! Yes, I need to "be still."
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure about my dreams right now. I love to write, but it seems God is sinking me into His word and giving me other things to do. It is a day by day, faith by fatih, process for me. I will just hold His precious, nail-scarred hand and hope and pray I will be selfless enough to give up as He did for me, if that is God's desire.
You are a precious friend and beautiful writer! You never know what God has in store!
Much love,
Andrea
I love everyone's comments and definitely agree that writing is one of your gifts from Him.
ReplyDeleteAs you write you are worshipping Him and releasing healing words of life to your readers.
Just today I was thinking of 'p' words too...purpose, passion, presence & power.
Love this post...
The Lord has placed the same call on my life currently. After writing daily for over a year, He has called me away to the wilderness. Dec. 29, 30, 31 I shared that call on my blog. I had to surrender my plans for His.
ReplyDeleteJust want to leave you with a quote from Kelly Minter: "I'm not sure anything has ever been harder for me - the utterance of goodbyes, the playing out of them, their finality, their void, their distance. Yet there are some distances, some chasms, some signing offs that are purely necessary for life to blossom. Certain things...keep us from new hellos. They deserve a farewell." "Still we cling because the...familiar is often more comfortable than the foreign amazing." (Kelly Minter, "No Other Gods")
I know the Lord has new doors He desires to open that will lead you to knowing Him deeper as you are still.
Positioned with you,
Joy
You have a beautiful gift....and use it so well...
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed my stop at your blog today.....I have a fun giveaway on my blog...a $100 prize ..comments will be closed on Monday night, but today's entries get extra chances...so stop by and join in the fun.
You have to be really in tune with God, very open to His calling on your life, to hear and know how He is leading you. I haven't been there lately.
ReplyDeleteI do know that He has put people in my life to lead me in the right direction at times that I had gotten off course.
Excellent post Deb.
Have you been by my blog this week? That is the 'word' He gave me, too, for Word-Filled Wednesday. It is so hard sometimes to do that.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your big sister. Your blog is such a huge blessing and inspiration for so many. I know it has been for me. Please don't give this up, even if you do get 'published'. Don't forget us 'little peeps'. :0) LOL!
Hope you have a great week!
Teresa <><
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI've read this post a few times now and I love reading about how he is teaching you to be still. That is so beautiful and I'm sure you will count it as a gift (and probably already do, from the sound of your post). I can't wait to see what God has in store for you!!
First let me say that I enjoyed reading your blog today. You have a amazing gift for writing and encouraging ladies. I am getting use to the be still and wait on Him. I am a very impatient person and I have had to be still a lot this year. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post, Deb, and I could SO relate to it! I will say the great thing about "being still" is, for me, it's creative time. The Lord gifts me with so many more ideas when I'm still. The problem is, I'm just not still often enough!
ReplyDeleteTiming is everything. Or God's timing is everything, I should say! Being still is so, so hard for me, too. But we just spin our wheels when we get ahead of Him don't we? ;0)
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed our talk the other night. Thanks for the ear.
Good thoughts, Deb. Thanks so much for your honesty here. I get excited when God gives me directions I like -- and then I even like to run ahead of Him. Funny how when He gives me directions I don't like so much -- I lag behind and even drift over to that other stuff I got ahead of Him with. Always simply seeking Him -- would that, for me, this were enough. God bless you as you seek Him. So clear from your words that your heart longs to do that. (You teach me this, you do.)
ReplyDelete