What's the Next Step

The other day I asked the Lord to encourage me.  I hadn't thought about it, but I'm so used to always striving to be okay - whatever the circumstance, that I tend to not require or expect a lot of attention or encouragement.

I generally walk around with an internal joy that is based around an eternal God and all He has for me.  But as I'm starting to venture out into new areas of ministry - and into what I feel is my calling, it's a little scary.  God keeps showing me BIG things, but I'm just little me.  So I told the Lord, "If you want me to do this, I need you to encourage me."  And that He has!

Nearly every day I ask the Lord "What's my next step?"  And without fail he sends me a phone call, an email or an instant message - don't misunderstand - He didn't actually dial the phone or write the message, but He directed someone to.

For instance, I was sitting at my desk, talking to the Lord, and an instant message popped up from a longtime friend - asking if I could perform her wedding.  I said Yes and the Lord will customize it just for you :)

Then I was praying one morning at 5:30 and I get a call at 6:30 inviting me to a retreat for the upcoming weekend.  And what a blessing that was - to make new friends and have God in our midst - confirming more of what God has been showing me :)

Another day, I was upstairs getting ready and was asking the Lord what do I do next and my phone downstairs rings.  I go down and it's a friend asking me to counsel her daughter.  Then later that afternoon another friend calls me and asks me to counsel her daughter.

Do you think that's enough.  Nope!  I was asking the Lord again the next day "What step do you want me to take today?" and I get an email asking for someone to handle the administrative stuff for our recent and future retreats.

Then again, still pursuing what the Lord has for me to do, I get a call from a friend inviting me to a fundraiser dinner for a local Christian counseling organization that helps people ages 18-28. 

All these events - equipping me and expanding my vision for what God can do, if I'll trust him.

As I was going for a walk the other day, talking to the Lord, He reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. – We are to hold on to and go after the big vision, but let God take care of the details.

Some other scriptures that were encouraging are:
 

• Psalm 34:4-5 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.  commit your “way” to the Lord.  Trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass. 
• Psalm 37:23 says The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He (the Lord) delights in his (good man) way. 
• Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and his tongue talks of justice.  The law of god is in his heart none of his steps shall slide.

So if you're wondering what the next step is, just ask the Lord - He will direct you, give you the deisres of your heart, make it come to pass, and your steps shall not slide!  And He'll enjoy doing it :)

Be encouraged and be blessed!