Hard things sneak up behind us. Or hit us full in the face. But sometimes God asks us to alter our course and step onto a path headed straight into a hard. Straight toward a difficulty we would choose to bypass; intentionally being part of circumstances that we could list a baker’s dozen reasons why we should execute a big detour to avoid the mess.
We hesitate on the precipice of a hard where God is directing us. Afraid. Troubled by His request. But He beckons, “Come. Trust Me.”
When God leads down a rocky path, we can be assured that He has a purpose. Perhaps to prune and grow us. To teach us. To increase our dependence on Him. Or to be a light in someone else’s darkness; to be an answer to another’s prayer.
I was wrestling with an upcoming situation that carried a strong scent of unpleasant difficulty. A place out of my comfort zone, dealing with abrasive personalities and sticky situations I could have dodged with a couple redirected steps. Through Sarah Young, God spoke to me, “Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground.” There it was. Listening to others with the heart of Christ is holy ground. Bumping up against others sharp edges with the love of Jesus produces a holy bruising. Exactly what this situation was providing: big opportunities to listen to other people with potential to suffer some holy bruising. This decision wasn’t about my wants. A focus shift to His purpose turned my “No, thank you” into “Okay, Lord.”
Stepping into a situation that we know will produce weariness, discomfort, hurt, and leave us longing for our safe place, transitions to a holy endeavor if God is calling us there.
Part of the hard is knowing we do not have the resources, wisdom or desire to deal with where that path leads. Yet, we can count on God to give us all we need to fulfill our purpose in that situation.
As we wonder how we will cope, He assures us that He will be with us and direct each step. Our spirit awakens to a heightened awareness of His presence. We acknowledge our false security in our ability and lean into His power. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)
With growing trust, we stop rehearsing, planning, scheming and resort to total dependence on Him to lead and empower. The more demanding the situation, the more He shows up. “I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
As translated in the Message, “I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”
We cling to the promise that “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) and we proclaim with Paul, “…doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” (Colossians 1:29, The Message)
In these challenges, we learn great truths. What be knew before as a teaching, we now understand as an experienced reality.
If your Abba Father has called you to step onto a rocky path leading to a hard, move forward with confidence that He will be with you and will provide the wisdom and strength to serve Him well. And you will come out the other side more conformed to His likeness, with a deeper understanding of who He is and who you are as His child.
Photo by Johannes Klingebiel on Unsplash
