For months, maybe years, I’ve longed for more time—time to be still—time to be at home. I never imagined it would come in the form of a broken foot needing to mend. A split second step brought me to this: crutches, a splint and an equalizer boot. I am relieved I didn’t require surgery. And, I’m thankful for every provision God has given from the beginning.
This time of rest is something I don’t want to waste. I left my job in order to pursue my writing and speaking ministry full-time. Time—now I have plenty—yet, I’m wondering whether God needs me to slow down long enough to be sure I take His cue to get onto the right path. I want to be sure that my ideas are His ideas. For years I’ve envisioned speaking at women’s events and retreats. I imagined myself teaching workshops. Now, as I stand (albeit on one foot) on the threshold of my next step, I desire to know His direction—does it match mine or does He have something different in mind?
I am determined to be intentional about this. So, I have begun to take back the time that so easily slipped away while working outside the home. What’s needed isn’t anything new. It’s something to hold onto because nothing can be done for the kingdom without the undergirding of prayer and relationship. This is what I discovered as a plan as I prepare:
Draw Near to the Father – During times of busyness we dance on the treadmill of life. Our quiet time can become stilted. We grab a few minutes in between events of the day, yet never seem to have the quiet stillness that invites the Heavenly dew.
Dig Into His Word – His Word is living and active, with food, a provision of daily manna to feed our soul. Today’s manna equips us for tomorrow’s hunger. And His word will provide and prepare the way for His sovereign path.
Daily, Journal His Direction – Taking note of things God reveals through His word acts like building blocks of His leading. As we write down the verses of scripture, prayers lifted to the throne, the answers that come, and the heart-dilemmas we face, we will see the thread of His voice woven before us.
Discover His Heart – As we draw near, dig into the Word and take note of His direction, we begin to discover His heart. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” As He reveals His heart, we will discover His purpose and passion for our ministry—and how He wants to use us in our sphere of influence.
As He knits together the bone I’ve broken, I also pray He will knit together the framework of my ministry. As I hobble about, I am reminded of how much I need His strength and help to accomplish anything. And, as I savor the ways He’s provided, I know I can trust His hand to equip me with everything I need to march forward one step at a time.
Where are you headed? Will you commit to follow His lead?
Jeanne Doyon enjoys encouraging others to love God's Word and to draw nearer to the Lover of their souls. She is a graduate of Christian Communicators. She writes, teaches and is available to speak at your event. Jeanne is a contributing author to Fighting Fear, Winning the War At Home, and Kisses of Sunshine for Women as well as Crosswalk.com and OpentheWord.org. Her articles appear in Evangel, Live, Proverbs 31 and Living Magazine. She shares her reflections on her blog at www.streams-edge.blogspot.com. Email Jeanne at jeanne.doyon@gmail.com and find out more about her speaking topics at www.jeannedoyon.blogspot.com
Publication date: February 12, 2013