I am really enjoying this recap of real and right relationships we are going through together as a body. It is helping me see the value in leading, discipling, and the beautiful truth that this is how God designed the Christian life to be…together in the great pursuit.
This past year has felt like a year of “catching waves” for me. God has opened up a lot of doors for opportunity and there was much work to be done. As we head into the last prayer class this week, my heart is tender thinking about this particular wave that came along and how God helped me get on the board, even when I was so hesitant to do so myself.
Last year in July, after doing a podcast for a full three years, I started feeling the pull that it was time to set it down…that this part of my ministry was coming to an end. It was an emotional goodbye, but I did feel His call to do that. Then, just a few days later, I got the opportunity to lead a Bible study group with a dear friend and teach a prayer class.
Before the wave came, there was preparation.
In the preparation phase, God asked me to lay some things down. To take tasks off my schedule, but also to make space for what He was about to do. This also included a season of “pruning” where He exposed things in my heart that needed to be cut off and dealt with.
It was so timely to read Daniel during all of this, when he purposefully chose to live life differently and keep himself holy. Daniel was being prepared for a life of ministry. He was ready to catch the waves as they came.
Dear friend, waves will come for you as well. I have no doubt about it. I believe God will present you with opportunities that He has uniquely and specifically prepared you for. But when they come…will you be ready? Have you taken this time of waiting to sit in His presence, ask Him what He is up to, or follow through with the pruning and cutting off of what is spiritually “dead”?
We won’t always “feel” particularly ready, because often times our feelings lie to us. But if we’ve listened to Him, surrendered to His will, and are now moving forward in faith…we have all the preparation we need. Whatever opportunity or wave God has ahead for you, trust that He has created you to fulfill this call for such a time as this.
This past year has felt like a year of “catching waves” for me. God has opened up a lot of doors for opportunity and there was much work to be done. As we head into the last prayer class this week, my heart is tender thinking about this particular wave that came along and how God helped me get on the board, even when I was so hesitant to do so myself.
Last year in July, after doing a podcast for a full three years, I started feeling the pull that it was time to set it down…that this part of my ministry was coming to an end. It was an emotional goodbye, but I did feel His call to do that. Then, just a few days later, I got the opportunity to lead a Bible study group with a dear friend and teach a prayer class.
Before the wave came, there was preparation.
In the preparation phase, God asked me to lay some things down. To take tasks off my schedule, but also to make space for what He was about to do. This also included a season of “pruning” where He exposed things in my heart that needed to be cut off and dealt with.
It was so timely to read Daniel during all of this, when he purposefully chose to live life differently and keep himself holy. Daniel was being prepared for a life of ministry. He was ready to catch the waves as they came.
Dear friend, waves will come for you as well. I have no doubt about it. I believe God will present you with opportunities that He has uniquely and specifically prepared you for. But when they come…will you be ready? Have you taken this time of waiting to sit in His presence, ask Him what He is up to, or follow through with the pruning and cutting off of what is spiritually “dead”?
We won’t always “feel” particularly ready, because often times our feelings lie to us. But if we’ve listened to Him, surrendered to His will, and are now moving forward in faith…we have all the preparation we need. Whatever opportunity or wave God has ahead for you, trust that He has created you to fulfill this call for such a time as this.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.