“Quit running from Him and the plans He has for you. Trust Him.

Find His heart and there you’ll find me waiting for you.”

I heard this message several months ago. I was dealing with another situation and at that time these words were for someone else. They loved God, they still do. But they were running hard. And fast. And far. It made me sad that I had words I could have spoke into the situation. But at the time those words would have fallen on deaf ears.

Over the months I’ve continued to pray for them. Every time they cross my mind I ask God to bless them. There is distance between us now. They were running so far I didn’t want to get lost in their mess. I knew I had to seek God myself and stay on my path, so I prayed for them from afar. I never delivered this message to them.

In the meantime my path has taken some crazy turns. I had to cling to Jesus. I followed God on the path He revealed to me. I see how I’ve been so busy the last several years that I haven’t been able to just sit. Sit at the feet of Jesus. He has brought so many great opportunities my direction, but have I missed out on some of those? Or others I wasn’t even aware of because I was so busy. Busy chasing kids, a home, a career, an education. I’ve trusted God, but have I really been seeking to sit at His feet. Have I been seeking His heart?

Wait. Sounds familiar. Waaaaiiitttt….back to the message. Ruh-roh. Was that for me too? !!! I’ve felt like I’ve really been seeking Him, but I was running fast. And thinking back to the time I received the message, well, there have been areas in my life that I had kept from Him. And I’ve been running circles around the plans and the purposes. Waiting for the perfect time. Planning it all out. Waiting until tomorrow when the time might be better. Doh.

As leaders there are times we have to press forward hard and fast to accomplish our goals.  But we can’t press so hard that we’re leaning into our own strength rather than receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  Even in the busy season we must create margin in the chaos to just sit at the feet of Jesus.  To be still and listen for His voice.

I’ve slowed down. I caught my breath. I trust Him. I trust Him so much. So now it’s time to really find His heart. “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.” (1 John 3:21-22) I believe in His Son, I know He’s holding my hand and walking beside me. I trust the Spirit He gave me who fills me and stands behind me.  And knowing that, I can confidently walk in the direction He has called me.