Moving Mountains

Not even real mountains can capture the vast ways God moves mountains in our lives.

How is it that one day we can feel at home: comfort, peace, joy, and contentment? A sense of belonging? Maybe even a landing of sorts and then the very next day feel like a foreigner in the very same place. An outsider looking in. All with a knowing you are right where the Lord has you for today. This, my friends, is a pattern in my faith walk with the Lord. I believe the area of moving for me has been one where I have grown to trust the Lord in the deepest of ways. Clinging to his truth about this place here on earth being temporary. I am a sojourner this side of heaven. His ways are higher and better plus he is after my heart and wants to give me good gifts. All for his glory and my good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

I try to laugh through the tears as I step out in faith and say “yes” to wherever the Lord has me going next. There is always an unexpected or feels unexpected nudge or tug to go, but in reality, when I look back at the patterns of moving the Lord has done in my life, I can see his preparation in them ALL. It is never a surprise.

The next couple of steps go hand in hand. I go through a period of grieving and lamenting plus usually surrendering my ideas and then comes clarity, direction and rejoicing all while celebrating the movement in my heart to follow the Lord. I try hard to be thankful and grateful through it all, even when the waves of grief and tears come. This is a place in my heart where the Lord is growing me. It is beautiful to look back and remember because we can see God’s faithfulness and cling to it. Cling to him.

In my move to Iowa, after officially landing, I have experienced A LOT of change. Quite frankly, everything has been new. When people ask how I am doing, I say I am doing well, because I am. I am well, because my Father in heaven is taking care of me. He is providing for me. Not all of what I want and when, but what I need. He is giving me so much grace as I get acclimated to living in small town Iowa.

I have so much to learn. It’s not just me anymore. I moved here to get to know Kurt and his four children. God is teaching me what it is like to live even more selflessly and sacrificially. Let me tell you, those lessons can be a bit prickly and beautiful all at the same time. I know they are needed for me to look more like Jesus. I want that! I am thankful for all the “new” so I can practice walking in the Spirit: asking for help, laying down my pride, my expectations and timing. Standing firm in my faith, battling the enemy and continuing to allow the Lord to work in my heart, sanctifying me and shaping me to look, sound, and act more like him in preparation for my day of judgement. I am sure grateful for the Lord’s kindness and gentleness in it all.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, enby, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there are no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5:16-26

Moving of any kind is challenging. It takes faith and dependence on the Lord. If you are in a season of God moving or you sense one coming, please let me know so I can pray for you. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for all the prayer warriors in my life.

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the opportunity to reflect and meditate on your word today. We ask boldly and courageously for you to be at work, shaping and changing us as we practice walking by faith in your Spirit. Laying our plans at your feet, letting you do the mighty heart work in each of us that you know is best. Thank you in advance for moving mountains in our lives for your glory and our good.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.

Sending much love

~Andrea