Enjoy this devotional written by a FlourishWriter’s Student…
As I climbed the sturdy metal steps on the outside of that faded red brick building, I paused at my apartment door to view the two-and-a-half blocks of historic downtown from a different perspective. For the next year, I planned to call this tiny corner of the world home.
It was a satisfying moment. My hard work to become a music teacher was paying off.
Satisfaction faded quickly, however, as I realized just how foreign small-town culture was to me. As a musician and performer, I found comfort on stages or fancy music halls, not holding concerts in gymnasiums. And how unsettling that everyone knew who I was at the grocery store!
This area of the state was agricultural, with miles of cropland, loads of livestock, and never-ending gravel roads. These roads mocked me mercilessly as I unsuccessfully navigated them, often ending up lost in yet another small town.
As the year progressed, I complained to God often that this was not the type of living situation I had envisioned for myself. I kept begging Him to “GET ME OUT OF HERE!”
But God was saying nothing. He was doing nothing.
Or was He?
At the start of Psalm 37, King David writes we are to “trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” (NIV) What does that look like? For me, it was a period of painful pruning but exceptional growth.
The Lord brought me to this new place and surrounded me with people who became an extended family. I ended up having opportunities I may not have gotten in a large city. I was able to “do good” while learning to trust, dwell, and enjoy the Lord’s safe pasture.
Now, I didn’t see all this in my frustration. All I did was focus on what I didn’t have and what I thought I needed.
Then God spoke.
I didn’t hear an audible voice. I didn’t see lightning or feel the earth-shaking. He spoke to me through a non-dramatic impression in my soul that I was to remain in this position for yet another year.
“Really, God?” I whined.
Of course, I already knew the answer. Even though I still felt like a foreigner, a gentle nudge of the Lord revealed I was nothing short of a snob when I had raised my internal eyebrows at these precious people. He graciously added to my faith and gave me a new perspective on persevering in my new town.
I was at finally at peace.
Then the principal called me into his office.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “We need to make budget cuts for next year. This includes making your position part time. I can imagine that’s not going to work for you.”
“No, I’ll stay,” I replied. “I know I’m supposed to.”
Sometimes, stepping out in faith means staying right where you are.
Perhaps you have found yourself in a place or season you didn’t want to be and pleaded with God to change your circumstances. Maybe that describes you right now. Are you waiting for marriage? Children? Maybe you’re longing for physical healing or you’re desperate for a new job.
No matter what situation you are in, God sees you. He hears your prayers and doesn’t shy away from your tears. He delights in you. His plan is always for your benefit. He WILL build your faith.
But you may be wondering, “How do I get through the waiting?”
Rest. Sometimes it can be agonizing to sit still. Why is that? We are used to working, busyness, and doing ALL.THE.THINGS. The work itself is not usually the issue. It’s when we leave out the “rest” component that we often rob ourselves of seeing and hearing what can only be perceived in quiet, still moments.
Psalm 37:7 (NIV) supports this by calling us to “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Just a few chapters prior, David describes being made to lie down, being led by the Lord to still waters, and being restored in the process. (Ps 23:2-3). He must have learned this process works.
Pray. If you are unsure of how to start praying while waiting, I suggest you ask God to help you align your desires with His. By offering God our desires and asking where He would like us, we can often remove anxiousness and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Praise. The song Waymaker encourages us that God is working even when we don’t see or feel anything changing. Much of what God has for our lives is going on behind the scenes. He is waiting for the right moments to reveal His plan. If you can do nothing else, lift your voice in gratitude for all the blessings He’s given. Our call to worship the living God is always an action step in the right direction.
So, was God working things out that I couldn’t initially see? You bet He was.
Shortly after I accepted the pay cut from the school, my pastor approached me and asked if I could lead worship in exchange for rent at the vacant parsonage. This arrangement saved me roughly the same amount of money I was losing. Coincidence? No way!
I ended up working full time at my church for the next 12 years, and it’s there I met my husband, a dairy farmer. Ironically, I now live in the country complete with crops, livestock, and, you guessed it . . . on a gravel road. While my physical sense of direction has NOT improved, I now have more faith to trust God’s direction, even when that means staying still.
Today, may you be comforted as you invite the Lord into your circumstances. May you experience sweet rest as you wait for the dust to settle and for His perfect plan to become clear.
Maria is a musician, educator, and writer. She holds a Masters Degree in Leadership and is in the process of becoming a certified Professional Life Coach. Maria is happily married to Aaron and currently stays home on the dairy farm with their three young children, Israel, Ryan, and Anna.
Maria, I love the title, word choice (s) and format. It’s a beautiful story! You are right, “Sometimes stepping out on faith means staying right were you are.” Also, “Waymaker” is one of my favorite songs for encouragement.Thanks for sharing?.
Thanks so much, Gail! I appreciate your kind words.
A lovely testimony of how God works for our benefit and His glory.
Yes, a very strong piece. Beautiful and touching, speaking His still small voice into my heart today. “Rest in Me”. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
You’re welcome, Sharla! I appreciate your comments. May your rest in the Lord be sweet. He’s got you.
Thanks, Sheila – may God’s glory shine brightly in your life today. He delights in you!
Thank you, Sheila!
Beautiful…those gravel roads have a way of growing on you when you are in the center of HIs will! Great writing!
Nancy – so true! And even amid the clouds of dust, there can be peace. That’s the most important thing I learned. Thank you so much for your comment.
This beautifully written, descriptive devotional was absolute God timing for me!!! Thank you you to all who wrote and selected it!
And what a great example if how you hear from the Lord.
Many Blessings!
Hi Allison – I’m so pleased that God timed this perfectly for you! He is amazing like that:) Blessings over you as well, as you keep your ear bent toward the Lord and his leading.
What a wonderful devotional! Thank you for this reminder today.
Thank you, Niki – sometimes a gentle reminder of God’s goodness goes a long way:)
Maria, I appreciate your honesty and for sharing God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life. ‘Waiting’ has never been an easy thing for me to do in my life. Thanks for the reminder today to keep our eyes focused on Him in the waiting!
Thank you so much, Donna! Focusing on the Lord will never be in vain. Walk in His peace today.
Wow! So such a beautiful story! I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you for your transparency. Great writer by the way!
Thank you so much, Sandy. Your words mean more than you know as I step out into writing under God’s direction. Much appreciated!
Thank you ….. “transition” is not easy and this has reminded me once again that in my waiting and resting, God is working! ❤️
Yes, Doris! He does SO much that we don’t know about. I love that about God:)
Maria, I too have lived the stepping out in faith that means staying. Your testimony is reach with encouragement. Thank you and God bless your continued writing efforts.
I meant “rich” with encouragement ?, but autocorrect is right that it “reaches” out as well. ?
I’m so pleased that this resonated with you. Thank you for your words and prayer of blessing over my writing. I do not take that lightly! My we all honor God with our words – written or spoken – and in our thoughts!
Great devotion! I enjoyed reading it. Wonderful lesson and you referenced verses that have also been highlighted to myself recently. ?
Thanks! How fun that the verses resonated with you at this time, Mara!
Thank you, Maria, for getting to the heart of a common struggle…trusting God in the unknown. Just this morning in my prayer journal writing, I wrote that very word…”I want to be aligned with you.” I am at the beginning of a four year grief journey. We lost our youngest son (26) three years ago. I am in a season, I never expected, yet know that God’s truth did not change on that day. John 10:10…..God still desires for me to live the abundant life.
Barbara – I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences and apology for not responding to you sooner. My prayer for you is that you will indeed experience abundance in your life, especially an abundance of peace and joy. Thank you for your comments and transparency. Be well.
God has an amazing sense of humour. He knows the way we should go and when we yield to His will and wait on Him, miracles happen within us and in our lives.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Yes He does, Glenda! Thanks for your comment:)
Maria,
At times in life, the business of the season distracts me, sadly, from seeing and hearing God speaking into my life. I become task focused and results oriented. I, like you in your story, only hear my own voice. Thank you for sharing your experience and reminding me to be quiet and still so I can hear God’s purpose, the only voice that matters.
Quiet and stillness can be difficult to cultivate, but so worth it. I’m pleased that this story spoke to you in a helpful way. Be well!
This is such a beautiful redemptive story! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks, Rhoda!
I love this Maria! I too had to find stillness living in a small town. I found my husband here, however, and purpose for Christ beyond my imagination. Thank you for sharing!
That about sums it up, Jenni! God always knows what we need, even if it doesn’t look right to us at first. He’s so good!
My husband and I were dropped from Detroit into rural Indiana 25 years ago. I arrived at our small town carrying a sensation of smothering but quickly found joy, peace and a saving faith in our new community. We were transferred to our lifelong dream city of Los Angeles five years later but I mourned every day that we were away, returning as soon as we could to our sweet little Midwestern corn field. I praise God along with you and confirm that God knows exactly where we are and what we need before we realize it ourselves. I am jobless now for the first time in 40 years and listening, listening for His voice of direction. God bless you and thank you so much for your encouraging devotion!!!
Thanks for sharing your own story, Theresa! Keep listening – He’s got you!
This story has been very encouraging. Going through a season of uncertainty and trying to learn what I need to do next. Thank you
You’re welcome, Kathy. I hope that you and the Lord have been having many fruitful moments together as you seek His voice and direction:)
Thank you Maria for sharing your testimony very encouraging, it’s giving me a glimpse of hope still.
God sees me, and He not leaving me to hang out to dry.
There is still hope for me tomorrow. God Bless
Hope – always hope, Glentina! Thank you for your kind words:)
Thank you for sharing your story. I can feel the encouragement to trust in God, even when your own picture of the way life should isn’t happening. ❤️
Yes, Sandy – His thoughts and ways are always higher than ours! Thanks for your comment!
Marie,
This is such a wonderful word of encouragement to anyone struggling to understand the plans God has for their life. If only we would trust Him, even though we cannot see Him or understand His plan.
Amen.
Amen, indeed! Thank you for your comment, Fay, and be well!
Maria, thank you beyond measure. You helped me to see from God’s perspective, His perfect will, trusting He has our best interest.
Amen, indeed! Thank you for your comment, Fay, and be well!
You’re welcome, Teresa. I’m so happy you found encouragement with this story:)
I LOVE this, so beautifully written I felt I was right there with you, and going through all the things you were feeling and experiencing. God always leads us to the plan HE has for us, which are not always our plans. But they are the best plan for us. We just have to listen, trust and wait. Thank you
Paulie – Thank you so much! Glad that you felt you were experience things as you read them – that brings joy to my heart! “Listen, trust and wait” – yep, that sums it up! 🙂
Beautiful devotional! “It’s when we leave out the “rest” component that we often rob ourselves of seeing and hearing what can only be perceived in quiet, still moments.“ So true and so good!
Thanks, Melanie!
This was a beautifully written, encouraging message. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Dianne – and thank YOU!
As I read this I saw God’s humor throughout. We often think we know what we need, and God says gives us something much better. He will even throw in some cows. : )
Ha! Yes! SO many cows! Perhaps I need to write about all the lessons we can learn from cows and the rhythm of farm life. So many nuggets of goodness day in and day out:) Thanks for your comment, Theresa!
Beautiful! Simply beautiful!
Thank you, Beth! Be well!
Oh my goodness Maria, I laughed the whole way through the devotional. I understand so well, your requests of God to move.
We are on Long Island, pastoring a small church, a very difficult 30 years it has been. I have begged, pleased, bargained with God for the “MOVE” it never happened, yet He has shown Himself faithful throughout. Originally we are from South Africa. A small town. Now thrown into crazy busy and noise. But God… Thank you, this blessed me more than you can imagine. God bless your ministry.