“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:14
What is keeping you from fully following the plans and purposes God has for you?
Do you ever wish you just had more clarity? Do you think to yourself that if you just had greater clarity, if you knew for sure what God was speaking to you, then you would take a step forward?
I so get it. There have been many times in my life where I have acted like Gideon (Judges 6) by placing a fleece before God asking Him to provide clarity and then to confirm what He is speaking at least ten different ways. While there is obviously wisdom in wanting clarity, I recently heard a quote by Mother Theresa that has stayed with me.
When asked once by someone to pray for clarity for them, Mother Theresa replied, “I will not pray for clarity for you. Clarity is the crutch of the Christian. But I will pray trust for you, that your trust will increase.”
Wow. Pretty direct for such a little lady. Thinking on these words, I realized how many times I have actually had all the clarity I needed regarding where God was leading (knowing I will likely never be 100% sure), but that I lacked the trust to move forward on what I was hearing. I allowed my own fears, insecurities and plans to direct my steps rather than God.
Jonah is a Biblical character who had total clarity of what God was calling him to do, but did not trust enough to move in that direction. God called Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach repentance to the people. Now, Jonah heard God. He knew what God was calling him towards, but he flat out did not want to go, so instead he went the opposite direction…and he was swallowed by a whale. Did you catch that? Let’s take note of that detail. When we fail to follow God, there is no saying how He may choose to get our attention!
It is easy to read Jonah’s story while sipping coffee and sporting fluffy slippers and cast judgment on him, but I get Jonah. Maybe more so than I would like to admit.
The truth? I have had times where I have known exactly what God was calling me towards, but it seemed too hard, too difficult, too scary so I was tempted to run the other direction – or maybe better said, there have been times where I have actually started running the opposite direction. What I have come to find though, is that as difficult as following God in faith can be at times, running from God is flat out miserable.
Just like Jonah, God is leading you in a specific direction. What path is He asking you to go down? Do you really need more clarity about what He is speaking, or do you just need to trust and obey? God wants to do great things in and through you, but He can only bless the steps you are willing to take.
As my mom has always said, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” Maybe it is time to stop praying for greater clarity and start praying for greater trust.
On this journey with you,
Lynne
