HOPE is defined as:
optimism, expectation, expectancy,
faith, trust, and promise.
For months I've been ministering to a woman who has had a hard life filled with challenges that most of us will never experience. In the middle of all that, Christ heard her cry. She gave her heart to Jesus and has been taking one step at a time, one day at a time. I've witnessed a miracle! Her life has been changed -- completely turned around. She doesn't even look the same. She's glowing!
"I waited patiently for the Lord;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set me feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord."
Psalm 40:1-3
She is a brave woman. She has had to walk out her salvation. That means she gets up every day, chooses to follow Christ and moves forward in newness. She has left "the old way of life" behind and is pressing on to all that God has for her. That sounds so easy, but it's not. It's challenging. It's difficult. It's scary. But she's doing it.
BRAVE is defined as
courageous and fearless.
I'm not sure we're ever really totally exempt from fear. I think that being brave and courageous is moving forward even when you are afraid. When you do that... everyone around you just thinks your fearless!
Lately we have been praying together that God would direct her next steps by opening and closing doors. This morning He closed and locked an "old" door. We knew that old door needed to be closed. It was a door to a bad place. It didn't fit with all the good things that God's been doing. It was continually robbing her of His's blessings.
Even so, she got scared when the door closed. Now what? All others doors seemed to be closed tight. We prayed together for God to open a new door. Many joined in prayer. Then God's people took action on her behalf. By the end of the day, a "new" door presented itself.
I just got off the phone with my friend. She is anticipating great things as she walks through this open door. I'm expecting great things for her. God is so good. He sure knows how to bring it all together for His glory. And I'm so proud of her. She is leaping forward, by faith. I have no doubts that one day, others will be inspired by her, and turn to God themselves.
Meanwhile, I'm taking one step at a time, one day at a time, myself. I never know what each day holds until it arrives and I'm walking it out, trusting God with every step. A friend of mine sent me a testimony of a man who has lived his life, much like I'm living mine right now. The article was a wellspring of encouragement to me.
When I was in Scotland, I visited a museum and learned about the discovery and exploration of Antarctica. I can still hear my aunt whispering behind me,
"They must have been very brave stepping out every day, not knowing what they would find."
"Welcome to my world," I thought.
"Welcome to my friend's world."
Perhaps we're all called to be brave. As Christians, don't we all have to take leaps of faith from time to time?
One of the guys in my discussion group says the same thing week after week...
"I'm discovering that it's all about TRUST. It's all about TRUST!"
Yes it is.
Gail
