if you only knew

I want to be oh so honest! This weekend my husband was given the opportunity to preach at our churches Young Adults conference. I was also given the honor to sit with 4 other mighty men of God….pastors along with a strong women of God. I was asked to join them in the Q&A portion of the conference. Of course I said yes!

Little side note: Always say yes. No matter if it’s big or small. Don’t let fear hold you back. You only rob yourself of what God is doing. Not only through you, but IN YOU.

The morning of conference I was approached by one of the Pastors, “Hey, we’re going to go over the questions.” I got up and followed him into a room where everyone was sitting. Wow! In my head, I was screaming! Screaming from my nerves, excitement, and other emotions I’ve never really felt.

They may not know but I know.

I know where I came from.

Being in a room with them, going over these young people’s questions, hearing their heart and then discussing it. Searching the scriptures and experiences with one another to come up with the best possible answer was humbling, exciting, and mind blowing all at once.

Who am I?

To be in this room.

Who am I?

To be leading people.

Who am I?

That I have THE answer

Which got me thinking and looking at my life. If only I knew all God had for me I would’ve ran to Him so much sooner. I would’ve trusted the process. But that’s how it goes right? We only see a few steps we don’t get the Birds Eye view of our life. We are only told to trust without seeing the full picture.

Is that hard for you?

To trust something you can’t fully see?

Some might say this is blind faith.

BUT, it’s actually not!

What has helped me is KNOWING WHO God is. Once you get to know His character and how He works things out, trusting becomes easier, trusting His plan, His ways, even when He asks something hard of you, leaning on Him becomes easier.

If you only knew Him.

Abraham knew God. God had already seen Abraham through so much when He tested him with sacrificing his son. God is always after exposing our heart. Not to him but to us. Not to shame us or embarrass us, but to make us more like Him. To BLESS us.

He cannot bless you if you stay in a place of sin. In a place of fear. In a place of rebellion. He cannot bless you when you refuse to transform. When you refuse to have faith. When you refuse to step out or let go.

If you only knew how much He wants to bless you.

Sometimes it’s letting go of that person.

Laying down an impossible situation to Him.

Not taking matters into your own hands.

Sometimes it’s simply just waiting.

Or sometimes it’s actually stepping out in faith.

What is God asking of you? Where is He calling you?

Look at what He asked Abraham,

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Abraham had already been so faithful. He didn’t stress, he wasn’t worried, he didn’t question God. To be honest. I would! Ummm Lord you want me to do what? But what next? He’s going to die? No Lord! I can’t do that. That’s what we do right? When God asks something of us. A sacrifice. We need to know all the details, before we say yes, before we actually go on with it. We need to “understand” we need to try and figure out the end result. Right? I never would’ve ever expected to be a pastors wife when I first got saved. Never ever. Let alone on a stage answering questions. I only seen the mountains ahead of me. And to be honest, many many times I thought, I have no idea how I’ll get through this one.

“On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I wonder what Abraham felt. Looking at the place. Knowing He was going to do something He didn’t want to do but needed to do for God. My heart sank reading this part. Picturing the mountain knowing the walk. The walk with so many questions and uncertainty. Was the walk heavy? Was it gripped in fear?? Or did Abraham walk proudly and confident in God. Knowing He would make a way?

Let’s read…

“Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He knew.

He knew who He served.

If you only knew WHO you served.

I remember those walks, not knowing what was going to happen next. Wondering how the Lord would do it.

How would He restore what was lost?

How would He mend what was broken?

How would He provide when it just didn’t make sense?

I remember going to Him in those times. Something I always say to Him is, “I know who You are Lord, you have seen me through the worse of worse. You delivered me from anxiety, depression and addiction. I know for You all things are possible.” (Do not forget what the Lord has brought you out of.)

And I’m telling you, now from the other side of those mountains. He ALWAYS provided a way. ALWAYS.

In my strength

In my peace

In my finances

In my marriage

In my relationships

He always came through!

Do people see your situation and ask, “how are you getting by?” Or “what are you going to do?” Let’s be confident in Who we serve, just like Abraham responded to his son. “God will provide.” Let’s not get sucked into speaking negatively. “It’s always going to be this way”, “this sucks”, “things will never change”, NO! Be confident in Who you serve. And if you are not able to see it. Go to Him. Run to the word. Run to your prayer place. Seek Him.

My God WILL provide.

Let’s this be an invitation and a challenge to get to know God more! If you lack faith, if you’re constantly consumed with worry or fear. Get to know God through prayer, through His word The Bible is filled with His promises and how He comes through for people just like you and me and just like Abraham. I’m sure you know the rest of the story. He goes to sacrifice his son who he loves and right when he’s about to. The Lord says don’t touch him. That now, He knows he fears God and obeys. God provides a ram for Abraham to sacrifice.

“Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can you go back and see where God provided for you? Do you have the mountains that you’ve named “the Lord provides”?

Or do you just keep going up and down on this mountain.

Are you tired? From just up and down, up and down, up and down, never fully understanding what God is doing? Never able to make this mountain a symbol of Who God is?

If you only knew.

Verses 16-22 are promises to Abraham from God, in them you can feel God heart, you can feel how serious and how pleased He is with Abraham. They are beautiful, powerful, and they go on and on and on.

Something God says is so important.

Because you OBEYED I will bless you.

I don’t know about you but I’m tired of missing out on the blessings of God because I lack obedience. Because I’m filled with questioning God. Because fear is tries to grip me. I’m tired of always wondering. Let’s get to know God!

If you only knew all He wants to do in you. In your life, in your families life, and in those you come into contact with.

If you truly only knew!

Remember God is on your side. He wants nothing but the best for you. He has your best interest at heart. Though you’re tested the blessing always outweighs the test. Always.

I pray this blog has not only opened your eyes to the God we served but I pray it challenges you. To get to know who you serve. Ask the Lord today. Show me who you are in my life? What are you doing in me through this situation? Help me to know You more than ever before!

ONE LOVE