The God Who Guides
While I am excited about the next steps God is preparing, it would be deceitful of me to pretend that I was certain of the future. Moves bring loss, change, and broken teacups. The pressures of to-do lists and uncertainties bring out the true nature of my fragile heart.
I sat tonight, trying to arrange flights to the mainland (as we call it here in the islands) for my little, and my not so little, dogs. I am not fluent in “airline cargo flights” and nothing about the process is easy and straight forward. I am confused and overwhelmed but after multiple calls to multiple airlines, I feel moderately confident in my ability to put a dog on a plane in Honolulu and pick them up in Detroit. There was a little concern that the big dog might end up somewhere in Chicago if he needs a bigger cage. Hubby is starting him on a rigid diet and running program tomorrow.
In the midst of moving, there are higher and lower levels of stress-inducing tasks mounting on my to-do list. The house I have spent 3 years furnishing suddenly needs to be packed and shipped across an ocean. My sweet momma flew out last week and spent hours sorting through cupboards and closets while I worked on homework. It was manna for the day, reminding me that God was going before me and caring for every step of the path He called me to walk down.
But like the Israelites wandering through the desert, I doubt God’s provision. I worry about the 8th task before the 1st task has been started. And I question God for not having provided a clear solution for everything on my list before I take one step forward. Thank God that our Maker is slow to anger and abounding in love.
The next steps might not be clear, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t cared for. The Lord shows me again in again where to place my foot and leaves me waiting, trusting, that He will continue to provide a place for me to land. Today, I am giving up a job I love and stepping out in faith that God will provide something in Michigan. I’m giving up my home but already, each and every night in my foreseeable future has a roof claiming it. I am loved and I am held.
Fire and Cloud walk before me, guiding my steps and sheltering me from the elements. It would be foolish to in turn question God’s love for me or His ability to provide. I don’t have to know the ending, because there is one who does. He allowed Himself to be mocked, pierced, and hung on a tree for me. Yet, I fret over a simple move.
So instead of fretting, anxious thoughts, I’m taking a day to rest in what I know to be true. When panic sets in, I recount His promises and His deeds of the past. I pride myself in memory but in these moments, I realize just how prone I am to forget. This is why I’ve set up my altars, to remember. My feelings and fears will come and go, but His goodness endures all things.
The Comments
Traci
Bailey, This was beautiful. An honest post brimming over with trust as well. It’s hard going into the unknown. Blessings as you continue!
Bailey
TraciThank you, Traci! It is hard but I know that God is going before me.
Jennifer Enoch
I’ve felt this way many times. I like all my options set before me so I can make a choice, but then I realize that it wouldn’t be faith if God set everything out for me like that. I would be walking by my own sight, and not depending on Him to lead me. Now, I try to remind myself that when I can’t see what’s about to happen, it’s Ga new opportunity for me to flex my faith! Keep pressing on!
Bailey
Jennifer EnochAmen! We walk by faith and not by sight. I will pray that God will strengthen you as new opportunities approach your horizon.
Mica
This is sucha good post. Our pastor put it like this (I don’t remember the exact words!): God doesn’t need us to know all of the plan, He just needs us to take the first step. Hope your move goes well!
Bailey
MicaExactly! I don’t think we would even understand the plan well enough to enact it if He told us. So He gently guides us.
Thanks for the well-wishes!
Jennifer Smith
Wow. This is so powerful. Hoping for the best for you in this season.
Bailey
Jennifer SmithThank you, Jennifer. <3
Alyssa Walls
I love this, and it is so true. I am often guilty of forgetting the times God has provided and so when the next thing comes along, I’m there worrying again. Yet, He always proves faithful. I will be praying for your move, good luck!
xx
Alyssa || http://www.teddybearsandlipstick.com
Bailey
Alyssa WallsIt is so hard to remember that He has been faithful and will be again. <3
Kelsee
So love this post and find myself doubting and worrying! Thank you for you words!
Bailey
KelseeYou’re not alone! So grateful for His faithfulness even while we doubt.
Jasmine Eclipse
This was so beautiful to read! I’ve made the move from Maui to the east coast, so I know what you’re going through and I sympathize – it’s rough, but you can do it!
I also worry about the 8th task before I even get to the 1st, and I LOVE the way you worded that!
Bailey
Jasmine EclipseIt is such a rough move to make! Thank you for the encouragement.
ChrissyAdventures
He will lead our steps if we let him. He never fails, Praise God, never!
Bailey
ChrissyAdventuresAmen!
D at Be you and thrive
I love your faith my friend! He will come through for you! I am from Ann Arbor Michigan and now live in Chicago! All the best with the move! xo~D
Bailey
D at Be you and thriveI will be right up the road from Ann Arbor! Would love to meet up some time if you’re in the area!
Kristin Cook
It can be so hard to trust and so hard to let go. I’m super bad at it. But I’m glad that you know the truth of God’s provision and sovereignty even if it’s hard to live out at times!
Bailey
Kristin CookIt is one of the things I struggle with the most. So thankful for a sovereign God!
Amber Brooks
What a wonderful, humbling post that you have shared. First off, congrats and good luck on your move. Second, what a way to acknowledge God, and how we often forget that He doesn’t provide some of the blessings and not ALL of the blessings. Wow! What an inspiration to me this morning.
Bailey
Amber BrooksThank you so much for your kind words, Amber!
C Nelson
Yes we all need to trust in his will for us. Lovely post
Bailey
C NelsonWe do indeed! Thank you for reading.
candy
After all he knows what we are going to do before we even talk the path. Like a good loving parents he is praying we follow in his footsteps.
Kristin Cook
As always, Bailey, this is a great post! It reminded me of the verse that talks about God directing our paths. I think sometimes we forget that God guides even when we have no idea what’s going on. His direction and guidance of our steps is not dependent upon our knowledge or competence.
Gina
Great reminder that we need to trust in God with the big things in our life– and the smaller things too. God already knows, we just have to listen. Good luck with your move…
Kristi
God is so good! Having just made an unknown move and then looking back to see how He did provide each step of the way is amazing. God’s got you!
Marya
I’d be overwhelmed too! Keep doing your best and trust God to lead and provide. Hope everything works out well for you!
Elizabeth
“I worry about the 8th task before the 1st task has been started.” this is so me, and I’ve never linked it to manna and doubting God’s provision before. Thank you, sister…makes me stop and think of His goodness to me. “We will praise him for all that is past, and trust him for all that’s to come.”