For some of you reading this, you may not be a believer or a follower of Christ. You may not relate to what I'm about to say - but, please just hear me out. Okay? I love it when situations in life unfold the way they have in the past few weeks. Sometimes in life, circumstances or situations give us little understanding or clarity. However, today, God brought understanding to our home about His plan and purpose with regards to a recent life changing decision we had made. He brought true peace!
My husband and I are approaching the retirement phase of our lives. For years we have planned "our" dream retirement and spent countless hours researching the best locations for settling down. Several months ago, suddenly (it seemed), out of the clear blue we mutually began to "feel" that God was asking us to relocate to another destination. Now granted, this other location would be considered paradise for some other retiring couple but for the two of us, this particular retirement area was the last place in the world that (we felt) would bring us peace and tranquility. There was no debating; more con's than pro's. We were always firmly in agreement about this "other" location; no way!
As the strange tug in our hearts continued and grew stronger, we began to re-arrange our golden years. We weren't sure why we were making excuses for changing our minds but we purposed in our hearts and minds that we "could" be happy and that if God wanted us to live there - "everything would be fine and work out." After all, God knows everything and doesn't need to inform us of His exact plans. Don't you know that many times God gets a good laugh when He looks down on humans and observes "their" plans? Don't get me wrong - we still had our doubts and reluctant emotions.......and at times I found myself reacting to this upset apple cart and rearrangement of plans with a not-so good attitude. ( Later I'd have a lot of repenting and soul searching to do.) My husband was more firm in his belief that this "other" location was NOT where "he" wanted to spend the rest of his life but, he was being his usual kind-hearted self; attempting to assure that my happiness was a first priority. I love him!
For the sake of time, I will attempt to make this seemingly long story - a bit shorter. Several days ago, after much prayer and discussion we settled the issue - again. We are not going to move to "paradise." We would once again proceed with our original retirement decision location that was made many years ago. Oh, what peace we felt!
Feeling peace - but, not understanding. We questioned and wondered why all these back and forth feelings had occurred. Did we just "think" that God was asking us to relocate to this particular place? As some Christians would say, "Did we "miss" God's will?" Great.....now what will people think? On and on and on....
Today, clear as a bell - God spoke through His word and spirit -giving us this personal revelation. (Keep in mind, you may not "interpret" this particular Bible passage as it was given to us - for our present situation, that's really not the issue. God speaks to different people in different ways.)
No - we did not miss God's plan for our lives. He took us through a season of learning, submitting and obedience. Let me share with you the lesson.
Scripture - Genesis 22: 1-18 (Please read!)
BECAUSE we obeyed God's voice and we said "yes" to His request - to a location that "we" deemed off limits for our golden years, God was pleased and provided us the opportunity to proceed with a retirement that He knew we desired, longed for and yes, deserved. God does delight in giving His children the desires of their hearts. God was testing us. He wanted to know, "would we truly be willing to relocate to our least desired destination "if" He asked us to?" Yes, after some struggle and insight we agreed and were willing to take the alternate journey. In the scriptures mentioned above - just as Abraham was in the conflicting situation with his son Isaac (Genesis 22) God was asking my husband and I to truly "trust" Him with our lives. Obeying God will "Make a Difference."
As Christians we proudly proclaim to each other and the world that we "trust" God with everything and in every situation of our lives, but - do we really? Within the past couple of weeks we have been honored with news about another couple within our family that has accepted God's calling to Africa. We ask ourselves - would we be willing to go to Africa if God asked us to?
(I sure hope He doesn't ask. ha!)
Tonight we are thanking God for His wonderful peace that "passes all understanding" and for making known to us the reason and purpose for what we consider a recent testing of our faith.
God is good!
God is amazing!
Our God is an awesome God!
Our next step?
We will continue to secure and finalize our retirement plans - our golden years...but, with a new attitude and appreciation for the goodness and faithfulness of our amazing and awesome God. We will be vigilant and responsive to His voice knowing the reward of obedience.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.