Propelled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YttNdAmyyI

Worlds Apart ~ Jars of Clay

 

Enlarge the place of your tent,
    stretch your tent curtains wide,
    do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
    strengthen your stakes.

~ Isaiah 54:2 NIV

 

Have you ever experienced a time when, either during worship or prayer, you prayed a heartfelt cry to God having something to do with making a change? Then afterward, you realized what you just said, and it felt a bit unnerving, because you just surrendered control of your life. I’ve experienced that a handful of times, including the night before last, when Holy Spirit touched my heart and the prayer became, Take my world apart.

 

In the “after, after” moments, when the dust settled and I got to look back at what the Lord had done, both in and through me, I was so glad I was obedient. It’s the middle, the time of stretching and dross-burning, that causes me to be a bit unnerved, now. But the Lord gives us His promises, like Isaiah 54:2, that encourage us to enlarge and stretch what we can imagine, without holding anything back. And Isaiah 43:18-19, that tells us to forget the past—don’t be marked by it any longer—and to see what He is doing and is about to do in our lives. Those are the things that move us.

 

When we can already feel God’s Spirit moving in our hearts and lives, we are compelled to action and respond quickly and obediently to the Lord. I think that’s what emboldened Peter to call out, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water,” (Matthew 14:28 NKJV). It’s what propelled him to jump out of the boat! It’s what propels all of us to jump out of our boats, out of our comfort zones.

 

Then, just like Peter, we find ourselves standing on water…but we don’t know how to walk on water! Before we panic too severely, the Lord promises to carefully watch over us and to tell us where to go, (Psalm 32:8). He challenges us to not be afraid, but to keep pressing forward, knowing He will be with us, wherever we go, (Joshua 1:9).

 

Did I pray a bold prayer when God touched my spirit? Yes! And it’s a bit unnerving. But if I’m going to do the big things God has planned for me, if I want to step into the vision He’s laid before me, then I need to let go of more of this world, and cling solely to Him.

 

If it’s been a while since you prayed a prayer that’s a bit unnerving, I challenge you to do it. Ask God to stretch you, to call you out of your boat and safety zone. Ask Him to lead. Then jump out of your boat and follow Him.

 

“For all the sons and daughters who are walking in the darkness…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dnUx3qVoyg

Tear Down the Walls ~ Hillsong United

©Heather Potts 2023

New Blog Site Coming Soon!

Just Trust Me

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqGQfk79A0&list=RD2bqGQfk79A0&start_radio=1

How Deep ~ Rock City Worship

 

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC

 

On Monday night, when the Rams played the Buccs, Brad asked if I’d like to watch the game and “relive” our 3^rd date. Twenty years and a lot of changes separate us from our third date. Thinking about all the changes over the years, I realized that—while some changes have been scary and downright disappointing—many turned out to be huge blessings. Whether God was calling us to help launch a satellite church campus, have kids, move our family 1500 miles, or just walk with Him in the everyday changes and challenges, God was always holding out His hand, saying, “Just trust Me.”

 

Just trust Me is the same message God spoke through Isaiah. The Amplified version says we’re to “earnestly” not remember the past. In other words, don’t cling to the “good ol’ days.” There’s nothing wrong with telling a tale from them every now and then. Unfortunately, though, the “good ol’ days” have a way of grossly distorting the truth until you’re so desperate to hang on to what you had that you stand still when Jesus beckons you to walk further.

 

Trust can be hard when you consider empty stadiums, hybrid schooling, fearful, older relatives, and virtual holidays. But the same promise God made then, He’s making now: Just trust Me, because I’m doing something new. Not different, new – unheard of and unthinkable! Don’t worry about the details; I’ve got them covered. I’m making a path where there isn’t one, on which I’ll feed and nurture you. And I’m bringing refreshing rivers in the otherwise dreary seasons. But you need to stop clinging to the past and trust that I’ll do what I say.

 

Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus calls us to walk with and trust Him. What will you do?

©Heather Potts 2020