Schoolwork is finished and put away for the day. Zoe and Pete are watching Blue’s Clues. Benny took Max with him to work for a few hours. That means 30 minutes of computer time for me! Yeah! My email inbox was a mess, so I decided to blog later tonight and focus on the inbox. I subscribe to several different e-newsletters, and sometimes I let them build up a bit and then spend an hour catching up on reading them. That’s not very smart for my schedule so I’m unsubscribing to a few of them today. I clicked on one intending to hit the delete button and instead opened it. The title caught my eye and instantly my focus was clear. I read it…and cried. You see, I’ve been asking God to reveal to me my purpose here. Sure, I know it’s to be an awesome wife and mother, friend and minister. I want more than that. I want the deeper stuff. I want God’s voice to be clear and unmistakable and His plans to burst out of me. I want to be overflowing with his love and compassion. I want my steps to be sure and strong. I don’t question that I’m on the right path. He’s already reassured me that I am. He’s been growing my faith for awhile now, and He’s been stretching me by giving me friends that stretch me – in both good and difficult ways. More than anything, I want to have a pure and holy passion and an undivided and clean heart. I want to be more than just available when He tells me to do something. I want to be eagerly awaiting His voice. I want to be his “Yes” woman.
Here’s the e-letter from Proverbs 31 Ministries:
I got an email the other day from some of our church friends all the way from their new home in Papua , New Guinea . As I read the description of their lives in this primitive place, I was struck by how amazing their transformation has been. When I met Dane and Kema just a few years ago at a Proverbs 31 banquet, they were a young, attractive couple raising two kids in suburbia, living a comfortable life. In fact, they were planning to build their dream home on a piece of property they had bought, and excitedly shared their dream with us at dinner that night. In short, they had a life others would envy.
But behind the scenes, God was doing a work in their hearts getting their attention in some different areas. First, God laid it on their hearts to sell that piece of property and downsize their dream so they could give to the church’s building fund. Then God used a mission trip to open their eyes to the needs beyond suburbia. Through that trip their hearts were opened to both missions and children from that part of the world. Not long after, they adopted two children from that area, making four children in their home under the age of five! All of these seemingly isolated events eventually led to the biggest change of all. Dane announced he was selling his orthodontic practice and going to the mission field, where God was calling them.
When I think back to Dane and Kema’s journey, I realize that they were on what I call the “yes path” to God. God had a destination for them that was so radically different from where they were He could not reveal it to them all at once. If He did, they probably would have run away screaming! Instead, He gently and gracefully revealed His plan one step at a time, one “yes” at a time. Yes Lord, we can do this for you. Yes Lord, we will do that for you. Along the way, God prepared their hearts for the future He had in mind.
God has a path for each of us if we will only take that first step with that first “yes.” My path looks different from Dane and Kema’s. Your path will look different from mine. The path is not important and, in reality, the destination is not either. What is important is the relationship you develop with God along the way. God wants to see you take that first step by saying, as Dane and Kema did, “Yes Lord, I will do that for you.” He wants you to reach for His hand and say, “I can’t do this alone.” At that moment, you will be on the yes-path to Him and you will also be more dependent on Him than ever before. I am sure you will find that the yes-path to God is an exciting and life-changing place to be!
Dear Lord, I want to say yes to what you ask of me. Help me have the courage to take steps on the path that leads to a closer walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I really like the idea of a “Yes Path”. Thanks for sharing this with us Niki!
-bill
Spiritual Oasis Blog
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Niki,
Wow. Perfect reading for me today. I needed this one. I feel like we’ve been on a “yes” path for a long time and it has been very hard work. But that’s the only path I want to take. (I am praying for relief, however!)
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You and me both Paula! Praying for relief for you that is…I’ll take it as well. It was one of those God things.
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This is just a great story–and I do believe it’s how God works–He trusts us with the little things before He can move us on. Actually, the older I get I am not sure but it’s not the little things that ARE the big things! You are a blessing to many–I am blessed by sharing your journey as God leads you where He wants you to be!!
Blessings!
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man… exactly what I needed today.
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