Learning to be led by His Spirit and trusting His timing

Towards the end of last year I began reminiscing about my experiences during my sabbatical. And oddly enough, I began to start seeing a scripture that was given to me the last week or so of my sabbatical. It was coming up in different ways, whether through a text or my Facebook feed, it kept showing up. I can be quite clueless at times, it actually took me a while to realize I kept seeing this scripture. I am grateful that God is patient with clueless people like me that He finds different ways to draw our attention to what He is preparing us for.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

When I first received this Word, it was an answer to my prayer. I kept fearing I would not hear or understand God and His direction for my life. I was afraid I’d miss it. This scripture gave me peace, that I would be able to perceive it. As time passed, God orchestrated the timing for my new job and living situation, and as it unfolded I assumed this was the fulfilment of the word I received. Last year, though, I began getting the sensation that there was more to what God was bringing about. Like if my job and living situation was part of the “new thing” God was doing but not it’s entirety. It was during the spring of last year that God brought a particular situation before me that would be life changing as well. And as I prayed over whether to pursue this life change, I kept sensing to proceed with caution. So I began contemplating this life change.

This life change would, in a way, end my single life in an unconventional way. As a single who has dreamed of ending my singleness for years, I was surprised to realize the cost of what that entails. Turned out, I loved my independence and having my space whenever and however I want it. I know this will sound a bit pathetic, but my first reaction was to ask myself, do I really want this? Am I ready for this? God had to help me sort these feelings and face the cost.

As things progressed, I started to wonder if this was more of the completion of what God had impressed on my heart back then. There was a definite shift in my life when I returned from my sabbatical and moving to my new town, job, home, and new vision for my life. It was a new beginning but not all of what God was about to do. We may disagree in whether or not we believe in prophetic words, but what I was given/was shared with me as prophetically were like pieces of a puzzle and with time God has been putting them together.

Throughout this whole process I have sought counsel everywhere I could. Yet, I had to bring to God each word of advice, concerns or challenges that were highlighted then hear what He had to say about them. In every case, He kept helping my heart and mind reconcile those fears, doubts, and concerns and give me faith and peace to keep moving forward. It is a an enourmous blessing to have Godly counsel, but always make sure to run it by God. Either the advice confirms what God has been already saying to you or it is to bring out things in your heart or life that you need to work through with Him. God should always have the final word. If you seek Him, He will make Himself known. That’s His promise, and you can take that to the bank!

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

Jeremiah 29:12-13

I will have to leave you with the cliff hanger as to what this life change is, though you may already have an idea. But I want to take a few lines to encourage you to continue to seek God and the plans He has for you. One thing I learned, maybe not as well as I wished, was to hear God’s voice and follow His lead. There may be different views, opinions, and assumptions in regards to this, yet one thing is true and constant in Scriptures and that is that God has always been speaking and reaching out to us. We are blessed to have His written Holy Word, but we also have a constant interaction with Him, which He encouraged us to have, through prayer. And through His Word and His Holy Spirit He continues to speak and lead us in an intimate and personal way. Isn’t He amazing?! So be encouraged He will lead you as you seek Him.