Quit ignoring the signs
Today was a sad day. I received difficult news yesterday about an unexpected loss in one of my teams and the ongoing recognition that things are far from where I thought I would be in my personal life in so many areas. I cried a lot, I smiled little, but I continued to stand bold in my faith-in spite of all that is being thrown at me. But this is not a sad post, it is a post of heightened awareness, recognition of signs, and the determination not to ignore them. I shared that this past weekend I took time to be deep in prayer and refocus on studying His word. I have been fasting and remaining focused opening myself to hear Him, hear His truth above all else. The signs have been overwhelming not only in their multitude but in the immediacy of direct answer to prayers. I mean, yay God! In the last two days, I have held my bible in prayer and just fervently asked God to reveal Himself to me. I have begged Him to let me know that I am hearing Him and not being deceived by other influences. Yesterday, as I prayed, I opened my bible and it opened to Isaiah 43. I was reminded that God is with me - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze…Do not be afraid for I am with you” (Isaiah 43: 2-5, NIV). As I kept reading, I knew this was a message for me to be still, to trust God and know that He is with me even while I am passing through the deep waters, the fire- I will not be swept away or burned, God is with me. And then I continued with Isaiah 44 and I knew this verse was God reminding me that He is in control and it is for Him to work in others, “I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:21-22, NIV). God has not and will not forget my loved ones- He will and is calling them back to Him.
And if that was not enough, this evening, I did the same. I sat in prayer seeking strength and affirmation after a sad day. I recalled the Godly people that God continues to put in my path and in the path of my loved ones. I know the signs He has put before me not only for me, but to show me He is active in my life and the lives of my loved ones. When I opened my bible, I landed on this, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they” (Numbers 14:11-12, NIV) What a wake up call to me. How long will I refuse to believe in spite of all these signs He is giving me? How long will I resist trusting and allow doubt to creep in? When I trust and believe I will be blessed like Moses, not destroyed or struck down.
I know I have been a roller coaster of emotions lately. I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but for today, I am thankful for the signs. I am thankful for my faith “bullies” that don’t let me dwell in sadness and doubt but remind me who’s I am and His power above all else. I am thankful for the humility to seek help and for those that don’t just answer the call, but lift me up in prayer. I am thankful for the encouragement to fast and be intentional in my prayer and being open to hear God. I am thankful to the dear friend that sends me texts to remind me and show me the hope in a new and different tomorrow. I am going to quit ignoring the signs.
Today, I pray that you be open to seeing the signs in your life. I pray that you open yourself to hearing God and when you feel like all you hear is silence, seek Him in His word. Open your bible, be intentional in prayer and open your ears to hear.
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.
