Originally published Wednesday, 08 April 2015.
Elisabeth Elliot said, "When you don't know what to do next, just do the thing in front of you." Amen, Elisabeth, Amen.
Some days we awaken and have no idea what to do. Our situations overwhelm us. Death and grief have a way of stopping us in our tracks. But we have to keep moving. We have no other choice.
And it isn't just the big things that stop us. It's the little things too. Friends, my closets make me want to hide under the covers! I'm in the process of cleaning, purging, and finding my way back to peace when I need to reach for something. If one more things falls on my head while trying to reach for a fresh roll of toilet paper, I'm going to lose it!
Do you remember the "Friends" episode when Monica (who is a total neat freak) has one messy closet she keeps locked and hidden? That is until Chandler uncovered her secret...
We all have moments of clutter in life. And I'm not just talking about my linen closet, gift wrap closet, or my... well, take your pick!
I'm talking about the places in our hearts and lives that we need to open and clean out. We can't keep anything hidden and locked up from Christ. It's time to let Jesus have His way, so that He can heal.
God's been speaking to me about ridding some things from my life, and I'm working on it. It's not always easy, but there is something so beautiful about obedience. I want to please God.
Elisabeth Elliot also said this...
“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.”
-Elisabeth Elliot
I know this might not be anything earth shattering or groundbreaking, but I have to share it. The whole point of this blog is to encourage you. I want to speak of what He's doing in my life. If I haven't lived it, I won't be telling you about it. Everything I say comes from my own heart's experience...
So here it is: There are mornings I wake up and have no idea what to do next. So I do what I know. I brush my teeth. And then I do the next thing, and the next thing until I'm doing what matters. Sometimes we need to go through the motions in order to reach the place of what really makes a difference.
After I lost my daughter to stillbirth, I didn't really want to go to church. I didn't want to sing, clap, or raise my hands in service, but I came to the place where I did it anyway. I didn't always feel like it, but I knew I had to praise God again. I just kept going through the motions until I finally uncovered the secret places of my heart and allowed Him to begin the healing process.
The life we live while here on earth is meant to form a permanent bond with an everlasting Savior. When we finally figure that out, and act out of obedience to Him, He will show us what to do next. In the end, all things work together. (See Romans 8:28)
We don't need to keep our hearts hidden. We must allow them to overflow. Whether they pour out praise or a mass amount of tears from grief, anger, and swirling questions of why, we have to let God have His way.
He will do His part, but we have to learn to do ours.
We have to obey.
Friend, if you are having a hard time figuring out where to begin, listen to Elisabeth and just do the thing in front of you. Begin your quest for obedience and He will show you each step.
I know, because I've been there.
And guess what? I'm there again! Different circumstances; same principles apply.
I'm praying for you today!
Love,
Jennifer
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