Wait a minute...

Three weeks ago I thought: "I have a certain amount of things to do and at the end on November I'll be done and then it's time to relax." My appointments were booked, my move was planned, my visa prepped and all I needed to do was pitch up. Or so I thought... It turned out that every task that I needed to do grew about 3 extra tentacles and it was out of control.

Some things I had to do 3 times, I got dropped by people at the last minute and my most important appointment got postponed twice without me having any say in the matter. Needless to say, I got discouraged. Why was everything taking so unusually long and just when I think that I have one thing covered, it pops its head out again?

Suddenly I thought: "wait a minute... Who do I believe is in control here?" the correct answer would be God, but if I really believed that, would I be getting frustrated right now? No, I guess I won't, because even if it is out of my control, it will never be out of His hand. Amazing what a little change in perspective can do! I was so caught up in getting things done, that when things didn't go my way, I got frustrated instead of holding my circumstances lightly and allowing God to plan the timing.

Suddenly peace came and I knew that everything will get done in its time and that God's timing is perfect in every situation. It's so easy to forget that God is in control when we get so wrapped up in our own situation and then instead of peace, we experience frustration, irritation and maybe even anger. It has been 3 weeks now and some tasks are still not done, but peace reigns in my heart, because I know that there is a reason for everything and that God can do in a day what we can't imagine in a lifetime!

I can step back and relax, do my part when the time is right and just marvel at how He will make the story unfold. After all, He is the good shepherd and He knows how to look after His sheep.

"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 ESV)

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It's personal

We understand faith up to a certain level, but last week God told me to have faith in my relationship with Him and it got me thinking. Ok, so not just faith in Him, but faith in our relationship, because it's personal. Think for a second what the difference is. When we meet God we start to build a relationship with Him, the same way that we would start any friendship.

At the beginning you are unsure of who this person really is, what he likes, how he reacts, how he loves, how he speaks etc. As the relationship develops you see His kindness, you experience His love and blessings and you learn about His character and personality. At some stage you reach a point where you can put faith in the relationship that has developed. You can rely on the relationship, because you know Him as a person. You know that the relationship can withstand ups, downs and misunderstandings and you come to know that He always has your back and loves you with an unconditional love.

It is during challenging or teaching times that we can put our faith in our relationship with Him. We can know that even though He seems silent, He will speak again. We know that even though we think we might have messed up, He will never turn His back on us. Even when the enemy or people around us try and convince us otherwise, we can know and stand sure that He will never leave us or forsake us and that He is a good God.

Just because the circumstances in our lives change, doesn't mean that God changes as well. He is always consistent and when times are tough, we need to exercise faith in our relationship with Him and hold on to what we know and not to what we feel.

Ensure today that you know God personally so that you can rely on your relationship with Him when times are challenging. He will never leave you or forsake you and He has a plan. Hold on tightly and find peace in the midst of the storm. He will quiet the wind and the waves and you will be able to see clearly what was going on all along.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Picture credit: Asksister

Busy, busy, busy!

Today I was thinking of everything that I need to do tonight. I was thinking of maybe making a list and then also deciding how much work I should do tonight. This keeps my mind super busy. I keep thinking of this and that, this and that and which task is more important etc. I think I feel tired of just thinking of all the things I need to do!

While I was driving I reminded myself that I actually don't NEED to do all the things, I actually just WANT to do all the things. In the process of thinking, I get drained even before I start and then I feel less motivated to start everything which I didn't need to do, but wanted to do in the first place! Ha ha it's actually quite funny how easily we can overload ourselves in our minds without even doing a single thing!

Also while I was driving I spoke to God about all the things I "need" to do and asked Him to help me. Then I realised that I haven't even asked Him what HE wants me to do tonight? In actual fact I'm just placing pressure on myself. So blind! :) So during the rest of my journey home I decided to chat with Him about what He wants me to do and I immediately felt less pressured and more motivated to do the things He highlighted.

I guess when the Bible says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.", it doesn't mean that I should do everything I want to do (and more) and then expect Him to tag along and give me strength while I burn myself out. :)

So yes, tonight has been quite relaxing actually, although I've been quite productive with Him. Being relaxed and at peace is a state of mind and is not dependent on the circumstances around you, even if you are super busy. Rather be busy with the things God wants you to do and His peace will be in your hearts and you will be relaxed. He knows which responsibilities you have with regards to work, family, friends etc. and He will lead you to finish all you need to do in His perfect timing. People often don't understand when I say that I'm relaxed at work (because my job is very demanding), but being in a relaxed and peaceful state with God keeps me focussed, friendly and calm through all the stressful situations. 

I have often heard people say that BUSY is short for Being Under Satan’s Yoke. Satan tries to keep us so busy that we burnout and lose all our peace and joy. He convinces us in our minds that everything is critical and that everything needs to be done NOW! I know that sometimes something needs to be treated as urgent and I have spent many nights at work working on deadlines, but in each one of those times God was with me and I did it with joy. I was even able to motivate and inspire others working with me. God has a plan all day and every day and He can even make a late night at work a blessed time. Be aware of Satan’s schemes, your time with God is the first thing which he wants to destroy. Ask that God will show you clearly which tasks to do first and ask Him to show you how to do everything to His glory with peace, love and joy.

God said what?!

So one day you find yourself happily doing your thing and God speaks. You think: “did I just hear correctly? You want me to do what?! You are giving me what?! Did He just say that?! Uhm.. well.. I didn’t ask for this, but it’s quite exciting..”

Maybe you are in that situation where God has told you a secret about yourself or about your future. You were super excited to hear His voice and excited because of what He said. Then you start sharing it with people and they start looking at you funny and questioning whether God could really tell you such a thing. Suddenly doubt creeps in and you become discouraged. “Can this really be? Was this really God or was it my imagination?”

I have spoken to a few people lately who seem to be facing this issue. God is a speaking God and He loves telling us things about ourselves and the amazing plans which He has for us. But more often than not, He only gives you one piece of the entire puzzle and you wonder: “how on earth is this going to fit into my life or how will this work out?” Just because He spoke to you today, doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen tomorrow. I have heard things spoken to me by God 5 years ago which still has not happened, but I know it’s in my future and I don’t have to doubt them.

So how do you deal with this word that you received from God? Maybe you are not even sure if it was God? My best advice would be to not share it with many people. Mention it to your closest friends and guard it in your heart. If God spoke this word then He will make it come to pass and He will walk this journey with you and lead you all the way. Ask Him to give you scripture to accompany His word.

“so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

God will always finish everything which He starts. You do not need to act on this word, unless He tells you to. Just relax and wait for His guidance. It might be months before He mentions anything again relating to the word. Put your focus on Jesus and follow Him. Don’t let the word distract you from what He has put in your hands at this moment. He will tell you the next step when the time is right.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Now you see only a part of the journey, but in the future you will see it fully. The worst thing that we can do is try to make something happen in our own strength before the time is right. This will only discourage us and be a struggle. Breaking the door down or slamming against it with your fists will not make the journey easier, rather wait until God opens the door for you and tells you to walk through it.

The journey that we are on is such an incredibly exciting one and Jesus is taking us from glory to glory in Him. Be ready to learn everything which He wants to teach you in the meantime to prepare you for the calling that He has for you. Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1). He is putting you in this situation to teach you, therefore open your heart and trust Him completely. He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2) and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6) No one can walk this road for you, it's between you and God. He is for us and not against us. He delights in us and His plans are marvellous!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt 6:33

Photo credit: Mandy Lynne

God, what do you want me to do?



“God, what do you want me to do?” is a question that people often ask and can actually lead to anxiousness at times. Sometimes you may become quite tense about it, thinking that you want to be the best child of God that you can be and you want to do all that God has for you to do etc… etc...

I totally understand where this line of thinking comes from. Meeting Jesus is an incredible experience and it makes you question your career, who you married, where you live, what you are studying or you suddenly feel like selling everything you have and becoming a missionary or something, but this is not what Jesus necessarily asks us to do.

“Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.” 1 Cor 7:20-24

We cannot just quit our jobs, studies or marriages for that matter. Yes, we have found a God much greater than ourselves and we want to serve Him, but my suggestion at first is just relax. Not very profound hey? So hear me out…

We cannot help but think that we are so amazing that we need to help God plan our lives and what is best for us. When in actual fact, He has it all planned out without our input. Remember He knows you inside and out and He knows what your input and desires would have been and He has already shaped the plan to fit all of those. All that we need to do is walk with Him. Our responsibility is to keep our heart soft and open towards Him and our ears tuned to His voice. We do not need to try and think what He’s thinking and figure it all out. Just be yourself, the best version of yourself that you know you can be at this stage and grow with Jesus. He doesn’t need anything else from you. He will let you know when it’s time to quit your job or maybe move to another area. He will ask you to change degrees or to start something new. He will be the instigator and we just need to stop poking our noses in His business and relax and serve Him faithfully wherever we find ourselves at the moment.

Today I just want to set some people free from that “what do I do next” anxiety. God knows what is next and He’ll let you know when it’s time to move. If you have questions, write them down and ask Him (once) and wait for His answer, He has heard you. Spend time rather focussing on what He is doing around you at this moment and build into that. I used to tell myself often “you are exactly where God wants you to be” and this brought peace to my heart and the desires burning within it.

I have learnt that it is not so much about receiving the direction from God beforehand that is important, but being ready to act when the direction comes. Life is a journey with Him and not a puzzle we need to figure out. When we walk with open hearts towards Him, always desiring His will, He will not leave us alone in the field. He knows us and we know that He will show us the way, He is the shepherd after all. God will always use a willing heart, it's all about the heart, so if you are willing, be sure that He will speak to you and lead you.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” Isaiah 6:8

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-5

Tick tock, tick tock...

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We all have seasons in our lives where we feel like we are just not getting everything done that we want to do and that there are just not enough hours in a day. We can often be our own worst enemy in this regard by pushing ourselves to take on more and more, biting off more than we can chew.

I particularly remember that I had one of these moments about 4 years ago. I was racing from work to my cell group and it was just a busy day and week and I was thinking something in the line of "why can't there be 48hrs in a day?!" and God replied: "if I gave you 48hours in a day, then you would be rushing 48hrs a day. I gave you exactly enough time to do everything that I have given you to do."

His answer was very simple, but really made me think and has had a lasting effect on my everyday life. I considered this: "What am I filling my day with. What do I know He has asked me to do and what not?" I think that we sometimes so easily say “yes” to things or even feel obligated to do things, even good things like exercise, helping people out and serving. We end up spreading ourselves so thinly over everything, that we can't give our all in anything.

Not even Jesus said “yes” to everything. He knew what His purpose was and He kept His focus on that. I'm sure that there were towns where people wanted Him to stay longer, preach longer or wait for more people to arrive who needs healing, but Jesus knew that He needed to go to Jerusalem, die on the cross before Passover and rise again in order that all of us can have the power in us to preach and heal and so be even more effective than He could be on His own. Imagine the effect on the world if Jesus had to miss His purpose, because He was too busy and felt too guilty to say "no".

Jesus saw the bigger picture, He got perspective from God and He could say “no” without feeling guilty or condemned and “yes” to the things which God called Him to. Ask God today what He has planned for you and what you need to spend your focus, time and energy on in a day. Trust His guidance and He will give you the strength to do everything that you need to do with joy and peace.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4-7

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matt 6:27

Make space for a miracle

You sometimes have to let go to allow God to do a miracle.

God always has a plan, He is always busy doing something in your life. He never panics or stresses.

A famous Dutch speaker and evangelist said: “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”  ― Corrie Ten Boom

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24 ESV

As the scripture above reveals, only when we let a situation go (the grain) and plant it in God's hands, then we allow it to bear much fruit. God cannot do a miracle when we cling to it and hold it too tightly in our own hands, it then remains alone and bears no fruit. By trusting God with our situation and placing it into His hands, we exercise faith and activate the power for a miracle.

It is so easy to take control of a situation, even if you have no answer and no way out. We just have this idea that if we just hold on, it will somehow just fix itself, but there are some situations which we cannot change, situations where we have become hopeless, discouraged or even ashamed of.

Maybe it's time to say, I can't, but You can. We have a God for which nothing is impossible and no situation is too big or too deep. Even if we cannot think of any possible solution, He has one and He's always willing to take what's in your hand and make it grow into something beautiful.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” - Corrie Ten Boom

Some more quotes by Corrie, she was such a legend. Do yourself a favour and read her story on Wikipedia, it's very encouraging.

“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” 

― Corrie Ten Boom

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” 

― Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place