"Jesus Calling"

"Hold my hand and walk joyously with Me through this day. Together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you; stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.

You don't have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on Me, I will guide you carefully along today's journey, Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me."

~"Jesus Calling" Devotional given to me by a dear friend (writer unknown)

Monday, January 24, 2011

God IS that BIG...

Please forgive me for being out of touch over the last few months. After returning from Africa in mid-November, I was in a land of unknown and felt like I was caught between two different worlds. And in hindsight I was... Life in Africa is very different from the United States and to be honest I was foggy in the mind while trying to re-acclimate to a land that I call home yet felt so unfamiliar with. My thoughts and feeling were changing each hour as I tried to process all I had experienced, therefore, I did not write because I believed my thoughts to be too scattered to make sense. Looking back, I am sorry I just stopped but if I had put into writing what I was feeling it would have been coming from a place of uncertainty and cloudiness.


After spending much time resting and sharing with friends the experiences I had while abroad, God started speaking to my heart again. Yes, I started longing to be back in Africa, feeling that my time in Africa was not yet finished. This was a feeling that was not as strong or clear as the first time, but it was an unexplainable nudge that just would not leave my heart and mind. This was a new experience for me because when the opportunity presented itself to come over previously, it was a very clear direction without any question. God had opened the doors and I felt certain I was suppose to walk through them.


This time was different in the fact that it was not as clear, or God was not speaking as loud, which tested my walk in regards to faith versus sight. After realizing that He would not always make Himself or the direction crystal clear, and at times I would be called to take steps when there is not always a clear direction other than moving toward the open doors God has put in my path. After committing my life and future back into His hands and praying for His guidance to open the doors He wanted me to move through and to close the doors He did not, once again He had the opportunity to reveal Himself in a very BIG way!


Low and behold, God brought everything together in His record timing and I left within 4 days of finding out that the doors were indeed open. Yes, the great provisions God provided for this return to Africa has given me the blessed assurance that this is His will. I will say taking these steps has allowed Him to reveal His greatness in mighty ways. I know if I would not have been willing to take these next steps, then I would have prevented God from showing Himself in such BIG ways! I realized I am the one who prevents Him from working in my life in an audacious way. I am the hurdle. God is that big and will give us the strength and courage to follow Him if we are willing!



“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.”

~ Proverbs 3:5-6





2 comments:

  1. So excited for you, happy for you and encouraged by you! Thank you Ashley.
    I cannot wait to hear all that God does for and through you.
    Stay strong in Him! :)

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  2. Love reading your updates. I can't wait to see what other BIG items God has in store for you!
    Lots of love, Allison

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