Heading out of our own Harran...

Last Sunday, at the new church we attended, the Pastor there was starting a new series about striving for TODAY and not putting off TODAY'S plans for tomorrow. This hit home in so many ways for me personally and my husband. During the message though he used Abram and Sarai as this Biblical examples I guess you could say. These two seem to always be brought up to us just when we need to be reminded of their journey the most.

He mentioned how God had spoke to Abram telling him to leave his hometown of Ur and to head to Canaan with his father and wife. Off they went faithfully heading to what would later be the Promise Land. Amped and ready to go. They make the journey halfway and stop. Yep stop.... halfway... For YEARS. (even as I write that it pangs me) They became content and stayed. Terah (Abram's father) missed out on all God had planned for his life had they kept going. It wasn't until after his death that God yet again told Abram to pack up and continue his journey to Canann. He still wanted them to get to where he intended for them to be. Faithfully Abram did just that.

As we sat there in the sermon shaking our heads yes and feeling God speaking and watering our hearts something hit my husband. Our first big move (to where we just left) that was our Harran. Although I am not sure it felt like that at first. If you have read my story at all you know that I really truly feel that first move was strictly to give us the desires of our hearts. I believe that with everything that I am. With that being said we are living proof of how God can give you those desires, knock you flatter than flat, and lift you up higher to sing of his glories and mercies.

With that being said, after the sermon we went up to meet the pastor and his wife. They seem like awesome awesome people. Anyway, my husband made mention how it hit him that we just left our Harran. For years vocally and on here he mentioned how I kept mentioning to him that we needed to take steps for our future. We, of course had no direction but we needed to take a step nonetheless. We weren't to sit stagnant any longer. He mentioned how he felt comfortable there and was just like Terah... fine with calling it the end of our journey even though we felt differently. We knew we weren't supposed to sit still and possibly stay there but we would've been fine to. Heck we even felt that we knew we would leave. Yep. We totally knew that we would leave there someday and live somewhere else. At which time God would lead us in steps to which area he wants us to call home. Crazy huh!?

Which brings me to my conflicting feelings. Aren't those always so fun to have?

Not.

The pastor said 3 key points in his sermon about starting TODAY.

#1: God leads in steps not huge leaps (oh ouch!)
#2: With God there are no wasted steps (thank goodness!)
#3: You may be one step away from breakthrough (stepping out of your Harran and heading onto the path once more.)

Aren't those amazing mercies God promises us? I'm thankful he allowed us the steps to get "halfway" per-say if where we are at now is in turn our Promise Land. I am also glad those steps weren't wasted. In turn they brought huge trust and growth, and I am thankful for our faithfulness in taking the step needed for our breakthrough in applying for this new job.

Then why do I long to go back home? We are on the journey God set out for us. No matter the final earthly destination I know God is leading us. Truthfully, I can't wait for the finally Promise Land... life with him eternal, but I guess selfishly I want more earthly time with the friends that became family back home. I know though that eternity with them awaits me, and if I look back I'll be given a chance to return (I am reminded of Hebrews 11:15-16 with this... speaking of Abraham and Sarah again) but I know I can't do that no matter what. I don't want to be like Terah and miss out on all that God has in store for us.

I don't fully understand why God moved us but I know that HE does and there is peace in that. It's hard though. Humanly, mentally, physically even. To be away from a place that you really want to be at. Maybe it's because the "wounds" of leaving are still so fresh. It was 2 months ago today that we headed out for our first day out of our old state. Maybe it's seeing and hearing all that is going on back home. I don't know. All I do know is that I need to remember that not one step is out of the plan that God has set before us. That we are exactly where we are to be and are walking towards our own Canaan now that we have finally let go of the comfort reins and left our Harran. That isn't to say though that we walk in circles and end up right back there. This could be our wilderness. Only God knows.

I have to keep my eyes up.

Walking in TODAY.

Not waiting to seek for TOMORROW.

Making the one step towards breakthrough and not waiting to follow the directions for the path in front of us.

I do not want to be like one of the 3 men Jesus asked to follow him in Luke 9:57-62. When asked to follow Jesus and his plan for them...

#1: Was too fearful of the unknown so stayed put

#2: Another was unwilling to pay the cost of following

#3: The last guy just didn't want to go.

No matter the pain or the cost... here we are. I relish though that the family we left behind felt, knows, and supports our taking the step out of our Harran to follow God.

God is in control. He will calm my heart for the journey to our Promise Land.

When the pastor wrapped up the sermon he asked... What are your next steps?

For me... Follow no matter what and rest that God is in control no matter how my humanly heart longs. Because I know in my heart of hearts I am exactly where I am supposed to be and for that I am very thankful.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail."

Isaiah 58:11