Faithful in the Waiting (in other words, the Writing)

Faithful:  Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal.
"What was the overall theme of what you learned at She Speaks?", several people have asked me since my return from the conference.  When I first got home, I had a hard time putting this into words.  How could I ever convey the many great things I discovered about God and about myself?  Concepts that I will continue to dwell and chew on for months and maybe even years to come?  But, a break from my notes and a dip into the depths of God's Word have allowed me to compose myself, so I will be using my next few posts to flesh out the treasures God has given me.

The one word that has resounded in my head since I left the hotel on Sunday is faithfulness.  For some reason, God has pounded on my heart this desire to write for Him.  He has been paving the way for this to happen for over 2 years now, but as I said in this post, He hasn't given me any specifics.  A few opportunities for devotionals and songs have popped up here and there, but nothing that would shout, "GO THIS WAY!".  Don't we all wish we could get that kind of sign when we're seeking God's direction for our lives?  I struggle with this because, as a singer/worship leader at church, I always had a designated road to follow.  I didn't really have to think about the next step because it was usually laid right out there in front of me.  Writing is a totally different ball game for me.  I do not know how to find my footing or which signs on the road to follow.  But, God showed me in an overwhelming way this weekend that it's not about ME!  You're thinking, "Duh!  It's never been about you!", and yes, I do know this deep down.  However, it's taking an extra level of trust for me to blindly walk without knowing what's out ahead. To jump out of the boat on seas I didn't even know existed.  To be faithful in the waiting.  God has simply told me to write, and that is what I must do while I wait for whatever comes next.  Cecil Murphey, a well-published author, said that our job is obedience - God's job is results.  My goal is not to get to a certain stop on the road, but to learn what God wants to teach me along the way. 

This week, I played catch up on the Bible study I've been doing this summer.  It is called Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy by Kelly Minter.  Please do this study if you have a chance.  Kelly Minter does a wonderful job of dissecting Ruth's story and relating her life in today's terms.  One of the constant themes in the story of Ruth is her faithfulness.  She was faithful to her mother-in-law, Naomi, after her husband died.  She was faithful to follow Naomi (a bitter woman who couldn't have been easy to love) to a land she didn't know in order to pursue a God she wanted to know more.  She faithfully gleaned in the fields every day, from morning until night, so that she could provide for Naomi.  Faithfully, she obeyed when Naomi instructed her to lie down at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor.  And, because she had been so faithful to do all these things, she found favor in the eyes of the man who would become her kinsman-redeemer.  What a picture God has painted for me about faithfully obeying Him with my writing.  Because when it's all said and done, all I want to hear Him say is, "Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness."  (Mt. 25:23, NIV) 

On Saturday night, Angela Thomas spoke to us about knowing the calling God has for us.  Her most profound statement for me was, "Sometimes it's not your turn....yet!"  But, while I am waiting, I am to abide with Christ, entrust it all to Him, stay in prayer and become the woman who is ready.  The woman who is faithful to her God and the path He's set before her.

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