"… this would be the year she would finally get intentional about pursuing the ministry to women God had placed on her heart. As I read those words, I felt Jesus’ invitation,“Follow Me,” and didn’t hesitate to say yes." [pg 32] There are times in our hurried life when we vividly remember Who is at our right hand, times when we understand why we fell so deeply in love with Him. Today is such a day for me. As I read Lysa’s words, I felt a sense of encouragement for the ministry dreams I have. It's difficult sometimes to continue to pray for something when you don't see any movement toward that goal, isn't it? But when God gives us such a personal affirmation it leaves us assured our heart is lined up with His, and it will come to pass if we persevere. How does that affirmation look in our life? A friend once told me, ‘Pay attention to what is happening around you, is it lining up with the desire in your heart?’ When you see opportunities that point you - once again - toward a specific path, isn't that God endorsing that desire? Sometimes confirmation shows up in the words of others, some specifically given, others not. Have you been given such confirmation? Do you feel ready to move? If you're like me, maybe the answer is 'Not.' You may be waiting for Him to give you a specific declaration. Something like, "Go now!" Isn’t that how it's supposed to work? We want to be sure, right? How does 'waiting to be sure' line up with God giving us a goal and affirmation at the same time? Gideon comes to mind for me. He was a man who needed assurance. In the Old Testament book, Judges, Chapter 6, we read how uncertain Gideon was about what God wanted him to do. "Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew." Continuing into Chapter 7 Gideon finally gets it-and goes to work to complete his mission for God. Our God is not discouraged with hesitation. He knows -HE KNOWS our heart is filled with desire, we just need that last little word of encouragement, just like Gideon. Allow Him to reassure you. Whatever the form allow it to encourage you. Take the power He is giving and step up! This weeks reading certainly affirmed a desire in my heart! Has it given you encouragement too? ~ Andi
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