a word of encouragement

Lately I've been faced with some pretty big decisions; mostly trying to decide where God wants me. Without sharing too much, its been a tough week of trying to figure out which direction to turn. While some opportunities may seem great in certain areas, they also carry some draw backs. It's an interesting place to find yourself in when you don't seem to hear a definitive answer on the matter at hand. 

For the last few days I've been in a state of unrest and confusion. Most times when I feel this way I find myself praying to God and talking an awful lot, which generally leads me to one of my favorite verses in the Bible...

"Be still and know that I am God..."

And bam, just like that, I shut my mouth. I get so easily caught up in worry and logistics and planning and talking and talking (see what I mean?) that I forget to acknowledge the greatest thing of all... God is God. Well that just seems silly to say; kinda like one of those "duh..." moments, but it's easy to forget that the one you're praying to already knows the problem and even better, knows the answer, He's God after-all. At times it may be hard to hear from Him, some of you may not have ever heard from Him, but it doesn't change the fact that He's there, and He's talking, it's just a matter of whether or not we choose to listen.

I tend to want a plan (yes, we know this). More often than not though, much to my dismay, the plan goes out the window. I find it best to not make the plan, but alas I do it anyways. In this situation I want to write out my next step, I want to know what opportunity to choose and I want to know how it's going to work out, I want to weigh pros and cons and make lists... cause lists make my heart feel better.

I know now though that no matter the lists or plans, God knows better than I, and whether I choose to go to the right or to the left, I believe my destination will be the same. Each will carry its own set of obstacles, joys, mountains and valleys, but in the end I will be changed for the better. Yes. I choose to believe that these moments of what seem to be confusion are merely lessons from God in trust; not only trusting in Him, but trusting in ourselves and the capacity we have to make good choices. 

I will wake in the morning to make a call, and with that call I will choose to say yes or say no, but either way I will have peace in knowing that I'm one step closer to where God wants me. It's not always an easy journey, but it's moments like these that I'm grateful I don't have to go it alone. Agreed? 

xo.

Melisa