...and by "Hang Up" I mean, Let Go!...
So, funny story…
Every week, Monday through Friday, our church members (and even some who aren’t) call in to a prayer line at 7am and 9pm. We attempt to pray for about 15 minutes, but our pastors get so excited that they sometimes bring full out sermons and we just always have like really intense prayer time. It’s pretty amazing! It starts and ends the day with the Lord… I mean, what’s better…
Anyways, the other morning my alarm rang and I was like legit half sleep. I mustered up enough energy to call in, but my alertness didn't last very long. About 5 mins in... I dozed right back in to my dream...
The only thing funny about falling asleep while praying is the fact that I'm not the only one who does it... and it's not a "haha" kinda funny it's like a ... 😬
...kinda funny. Lol
Anyways... about an hour and a half later, I woke up. I realized my phone was on my pillow by my head & unfortunately, there was no one left on the line except me. 😳
So of course, I hung up!
BUT
When I did, to my surprise, about 10 text messages and 3 emails that had been HELD UP had started to come through.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me in that moment and showed me this principle:
"God can't bring you new things while you're still holding on to something else..."
Now, I understand that this is so basic and I feel like people use the phrase "Pack Light" ALL the time, but it's a principle that we don't always take to heart... We might not even do it consciously, but we do it. We hold on to things because we want the assurance that something else is there or is coming for sure before we get the courage to let go.
Unfortunately, that's not how we are called to live. We are to live and walk by faith and not by sight! Y'all know how it goes...
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT
BUT if you take a look at God's track record, maybe it would give us some assurance. I mean, HIS plan for our lives is as good as it could possibly get!!
Take a look at what the word says...
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My [God's] purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” - John 10:10 NLT
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” - Ephesians 3:20 NLT
TRUST ME I KNOW it's hard to let go... to abandon your plans AND YOUR "PLAN B's" and depend completely on God... but He's such a good God.
*inserts "King of My Heart" because it's like my favorite song ever right now*
...Man, He's got you!! I'm learning that more and more by the second!
“Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” - Psalms 37:3-4 NLT
So what am I saying? I'm saying that a life led by Christ is a faith walk and TRUST ME! God is FAITHFUL!!
So, my encouragement for us today is to simply "hang up"; give everything up. Everything we deem necessary to hold on to... let it all go & trust God.
There's also another song that should help articulate what I'm trying to say...
Check out these lyrics:
"...So I cast down my crown and I exchange my will for Yours."
"Lead Me" - KJ Scriven
That's it for now. Love you guys!