The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. (NLT)
As December was approaching, it occurred to me that this would be another first, just like November was.
November wasn’t just my birthday month, it was also the first one I would spent in Asia.
Isn’t that wild?
My first birthday in a whole new continent was filled with surprises. The Sunday before my birthday, I met a group of women who were in my city as part of a church planting team. These women helped turn what was going to be a solo birthday at home into one with adventure and beautiful gifts. We shared our hearts for God, the way He had shown up in our lives and the lives of the people we had encountered so far. We also encouraged each other to continue trusting Him for what was coming next.
This was also my first time meeting with women who had a similar calling to mine and specifically discussing mission work not just regular life stuff. This interaction helped settled a lot of questions I had been wrestling with. I was reminded again that God orchestrates our paths in ways that we cannot even begin to conceptualise. Even when we struggle with loneliness and question how we will fulfil the mission, God raises our eyes to begin to see the possibility of partnership and the reality of His divine timing.
Nothing about November was planned, so I walked into December surrendered.
In my surrender, the desire to spend time in Psalms 23 arose. It felt like a battle cry and a declaration of victory at the same time. Spending time there also led me to Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT). In this portion of scripture God makes several promises to Joshua, the first being the same promise He had made to Moses. He also tells Joshua to be strong and courageous 3 times. For me this repetition was significant because it caused me to pause and consider why God would show me this pattern. I even found the same call to strength and courage in Psalms 31:24 (NLT). It seemed like a foreshadowing of sorts.
You may be thinking to yourself, “This is interesting, but what does it have to do with me?”
Good question.
Whether you are a new or seasoned believer, you will likely begin to sense a tugging or pull towards something greater than you at some point in your walk with God. More often than not, you will desire a blueprint or map that details every step so that you can fit the puzzle pieces together effortlessly.
The question I encourage you to begin to consider is – what happens when there is no blueprint? When there isn’t a set answer to the challenge you’re facing?
The answer?
My answer to you and to myself?
Psalms 23.
You will need both strength and courage to endure and eventually experience victory over the challenges you will face on the path you have chosen. Read Psalms 23 again and again until God begins to reveal to you what He wants you to see, just like He did for me. I can testify that even when it doesn’t seem like He hears you or is available, the Good Shepherd is always there for His sheep.
May the holiday season and the new year reveal His heart to you.
Love and light,
E.