A.C.T. Now

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  I John 2:6

Have you ever prayed about something for so long, seeking an answer from the Lord, and yet for whatever reason He remained quiet?  Day after day, week after week, sometimes month after month, you await an answer...you're simply waiting for God to ACT.   I've been there..in fact, I'm there even now.

For months now I've been seeking His guidance, writing notes as to what it is He may be teaching me through this time of "quiet."  Guess you could say I've been in the wilderness.  It's okay, though, because Nahum 1:3 says "the clouds are the dust of His feet..."  So that can mean one thing:  I may be in a FOG, but at least I know that HE is very nearby---just got to keep looking up.  ;o)

Recently I've felt like a "deer in the headlights" of oncoming traffic.  You know---totally frozen.  So focused on what's coming that I've forgotten to MOVE.  Ever noticed how difficult it is to focus and function on a day-to-day basis when you're facing something scary?   Wonder why?  Well, I think there could be a couple of reasons:  the ole enemy knows just what it takes to stop us "dead in our tracks" once we've started moving forward in our journey with God.  FEAR.  What an obstacle!    Or--it could be our Heavenly Father is trying to purge the dross from our lives in order to reveal to us more and more of our NEED FOR HIM.  Either way, one thing is for sure---God has allowed it, and He wants us to ACT now!

Of course God wants us to wait on Him.  (Psalm 27:14)   But do you think He wants us to just sit still?  Oh ha...I know you're thinking, "Be still and know..."  (Psalm 46:10)   Yes.  But there are a few other things He wants us to do.  He wants us to ACT---Abide in Christ.  (John 15:4)  Continue in our service to others for Him.  "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."  Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)  While Abiding and Continuing, we need to be Trusting in Him with all our hearts.  (Prov. 3:5)  (Trusting Him is what brings the "stillness" to our hearts.)

Ahhh...the main key is to keep feasting on His Word (see SUP, Success Under Pressure)---Abiding in Christ on a daily basis will ensure the lines of communication will remain open and "unclogged" by sin. 

Then, instead of freezing in our tracks, staring at the big burden or trial, we need to CONTINUE ON in our service to others for God's glory.  I've noticed a pattern....Look at Job 42:10  "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (KJV)  Take a look at II Kings 4:37...The Shunammite's faithful hospitality to Elisha was rewarded with an answer to a SECRET desire of her heart.  God gave her a son.  It seems to me that when we remain focused on OTHERS in the midst of our trials and storms, and continue to reach out and serve THEM, that God will begin to ACT on our behalf.  

The final letter, "T for Trust," really hit close to home this weekend.  God showed me that I have several "little foxes" that are "getting the grapes" in my life:  lack of motivation, fear of MOVING forward.  But it's the root cause of these little foxes that is the main problem:  LACK OF WHOLE HEARTED TRUST in my Father.  Trust in Him wholeheartedly.  For goodness' sakes, if I can trust Him for my eternal security, then why on earth is it so hard to trust Him with "this stuff?"   Oh, immediately I asked for forgiveness for my lack of complete trust in Him with all of "this," and am letting go.  The end result will be whatever He wills it to be.   Since I  know that He works all things out for my good and His glory if I'm called according to His purpose, I have to know that whenever He does choose to ACT on my behalf, it's "gonna be GOOOOD." 

So, let's A.C.T. while we're waiting for God to act on our behalf.  Abide in Christ, Continue to walk forward in our service for Him, and Trust Him whole heartedly.

Oh Father, You are Sovereign and in control of every tiny detail in my life.  I'm so grateful for Your tender mercies and compassion which never, ever, ever, ever fail!   I'm taking the plunge...letting go.  Trusting You with the outcome.  I'm praying for all my friends and even strangers out there who may be suffering from some sort of captivity in their lives...financial, emotional, spiritual..whatever it is, Father, TURN THEIR CAPTIVITY in Jesus' Name...for we know that You are the God Who sets the captives free!!  AMEN AND AMEN!  And all of Your children are saying...Amen!