Monday, September 21, 2015

Not Getting Ahead of God




                From where you are standing, there is much ahead. It might be a ton of busy, crazy, chaotic, and rewarding. Maybe the future is daunting. On the other hand, when you look ahead, you might see a whole bunch of nothing or vast space that could be filled with –who knows?

                God does.

                You want to be where He wants you to be. If you’re anything like me -and most everyone I know- getting where you should be is a priority.

                It’s not always about “getting ahead” or “getting more,” but simply growing or following well. You know God has plans for you and sometimes it seems like a lot to keep up with. You don’t want to avoid the step He asks for next, so you prepare yourself as best you can for it.

                The decisions you make at work are made with intentions for the future in mind. You choose to take classes, read books, and meet people now so that later you will be equipped for what you think (or dream) will happen. We want to be where God wants us to be, when He calls, without hesitation. It gets stressful, doesn’t it?

Worry is all about tomorrow.  Fear is most powerful in the future tense. God is in the present. And when the present turns into the future, He’ll be there too.

God is not 3 steps ahead of you, waiting for you to catch up. He is with you now.

Though it is wise to open your eyes to bigger picture or your life and to prepare yourself appropriately, the decisions you make now –including those about your future- should be made as He asks.

That future that you think you know too little about or too much about cannot separate you from the love of Christ. Neither can the present (Romans 8:38.) When the Psalmist said that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” He did mean that God is even present in our present life, concerns, and matters (Psalm 46:1.)

                Paul testified to this truth in Acts 26:22, saying “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great.Imagine speaking those words when you question what your future holds –or when others ask and you don’t know.


                Speak this truth to yourself and to others as worry and planning and looking forward keep your eyes off of Him who is all the way up there –and also right here with you.  

This post is being shared on: #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkupIntentionally Pursuing,Titus2sday, and Thought-Provoking Thursday.

10 comments:

  1. Always important to know He is with us each step of the way so that we don't need to get ahead. Nice to meet you at the #RaRaLinkup

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    1. Nice to meet you, too, Sandra!! Such a gift, isn't it?

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  2. Such a great post for me today! I am already nervous about having my third child and bring able to handle it all. But I'm projecting into the future while God is with me in the present. I like what you said that God will be with me when the future becomes the present. Great post! Visiting from #intentionalTuesday.

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    1. Aw, that does sound overwhelming but He is with you. The Lord is your strength! Praying for you and glad for this truth, too! Thanks : )

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  3. Hi Bethany, how can I keep playing catch up when God is right here with me? Thank you friend. Honestly, I feel this way sometimes! Thank you for the scriptures too, especially, Psalm 46:1.
    Blessings to you

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    1. Amen, Ifeoma! I feel this way sometimes, too. Thank you!!

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  4. I get consumed with worry far too often. It truly is living in the future. Thank you for this reminder to live in Him right where I am today. What a relief that is :). So many great verses here to keep that thought with me. I need to write them on an index card to carry with me all day.

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    1. Yes it is...I do it often, too! Love how His Word can anchor us : )

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  5. "Worry is all about tomorrow. God is in the present." I love that! I had this on my heart just recently, so your post was a timely word for me. Thank you for sharing this important reminder. Blessings!

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    1. So glad, Kristine! Thank you and blessings to you too!

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