When my kids were young, we moved from the lush green hills of Arkansas to the brown rocky landscape of New Mexico.
I didn’t recognize the beauty in either place, until I left them.
It was the season when I did nothing for anyone.
Including myself.
I felt like I lived in circles. Doing the same thing I did the day before. And just thankful to get through it.
I was tired and life was hard. I was stuck in a job I hated. Struggling in a broken marriage and the monotony of motherhood. I was always looking for the next “big thing” in my life to give me a temporary high. Sometimes it was shopping, sometimes it was eating.
Sometimes nothing worked.
Now when I look back, I don’t see wasted time. I see fertile ground.
Because sometimes you have to get so sick of your life, your mess, your view that you begin seeing those around you.
I could not keep living the same empty way another day. When I stopped focusing on my own needs and started meeting needs around me, the most amazing thing happened.
I changed.
My life — and my circumstances — looked the same, but my view was completely different.
I wrote an entire book about saying yes to God in the middle of our mess and I hear this so often: Where do I start? How do I change my view?
This might sound too simple, too easy, but here’s the answer:
Do the last thing God told you to do.
Because sometimes our yes is continued faithfulness.
And faithfulness today — right where we are — always leads to the next yes.
And the next. And before we know it, we are standing at the door that opens to more.
How do we know what God is telling us to do?
I’ve discovered that when an idea is for me, it’s probably by me. It benefits me in some way. But those little thoughts and desires and ideas to do something for someone else? Those are most likely from God. When I do them, I find Him in the middle of it.
The truth is, it’s not a secret at all to discover what God wants us to do next. Because really what we are talking about here is obedience. It’s not necessarily a big yes, although it could lead to that. It’s daily faithful obedience to do whatever God tells you.
We find the next step in the Bible:
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.” {Proverbs 3:5-7, MSG}
Send that note. Take that meal. Hug that child. Serve that neighbor.
When you don’t know what to do next, do the thing that’s right in front of you today. It might just change your view.
It will open the door to tomorrow and you just never know where it will lead.
by Kristen Welch, We are THAT family
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Kristen,
How true, that if a thought is for me, it’s probably by me. Just as God’s thoughts are always outward toward us, our thoughts need to be outward toward others. The more I reflect and imitate God, the more contented I find myself. Good stuff this morning!
Blessings,
Bev
Thank you for making me remember,
What wise words you share here. How true it is that sometimes we have to get so tired of our life as we know it that we’re ready to seek God for what He has in mind for us. Both in life happenings and within ourselves.
Your words: “And faithfulness today — right where we are — always leads to the next yes.” Thank you for the reminder that faithfulness where we are is all God is asking. When we are faithful right where we are, God prepares and then shows us the next step. I have to remember not to keep looking ahead, but to focus on what He has for me now and trust that He is equipping me for when it’s time for that next yes.
Thanks for giving me good words to ponder this Saturday morning.
Jeanne you spoke my mind,
( Thank-you for your words of wisdom Kristen).
I truly believe that when it’s quiet enough and we listen we’ll hear our direction. And by following it, even if it seems uneventful or unimportant or some may criticize us or not understand us, we can find peace trusting it was part of His plan meant for us.
Blessings to all…..
Penny
“Do the last thing God told you to do.” Well said. Thanks for sharing.
Kristen,
I am where you were–hating my job, longing for a different view of life. God nudges me quite often to think of others more than myself. Take the blinders off and do something for someone else. It will make you feel good about yourself. Years ago God nudged me to write a note to a co-worker. I was apprehensive, but did it and it made a difference in our friendship. Now I take any chance I can get to help others out. It may be simply praying for them, inviting them to a retreat, cooking meals for them what ever I want them to see Jesus in me! I feel good about myself and I know God is pleased with me!
Blessings 🙂
Kristen, Thank you for sharing this wisdom of God with us. I think I often do what God tells me to do, but there are times when I completely ignore Him. I’m very ashamed of this. I realize, through your article/blog, that I can only be obedient to God if I listen to what He’s telling me, & ask for His help to be obedient. Then, maybe, as you did, I can get off of this mary-go-round I’m on. It’s time to do more, & relax less. I want to be a vessel of honor for God. And, only He can do that through me.
Debi
It’s funny your picture is of feet walking. For over a year, I’ve not left my home at all. I’ve had fear of fear and stubbornness. I’m working with a biblical counselor and my latest homework is to take a walk around the block each day. I took pictures of my view yesterday when walking. I’m also reading a book called Trusting God by Jerry Bridges and talks about God’s Sovereignty. I listened last night to Charles Stanley and he began to talk about God’s Sovereignty, how God has a plan for me, and I am to Proverbs 3:5-6. I think God really wants me to understand this 🙂
Jeremiah 29:11
You don’t know what this did for me today. Thank you!
Your post urges me to pray, Kristen: Lord, I am offering myself anew, to listen for your thoughts, desires, and ideas that will bless and benefit those within my circle of influence. I want to faithfully follow your leading each day, and leave the results up to You. Thank you, Father, for opportunity to minister to others in your Name. Amen! (And thank you, Kristen!)
I was just trying to explain this to a young friend. I don’t know that I made my point, because my words were all jumbled up as I tried to get her to understand the idea of doing the last thing God told you to do. Thank you for saying it so perfectly. I’m definitely going to share this post. Bless you.
Thanks for the message, Godbless