The Messy Middle
I was so challenged recently after sitting under the incredible teaching of Paul Scanlon in "Growing Big People" seminar and his stretching sermon at Hillsong Phoenix on Sunday September 10, 2017 entitled, "The Agony of Divine Delay"
Recently I came to realize the style of my writing has changed drastically from writing from personal experience to more of an informative, article-type writing. Although I do pray that all I publish is God-glorifying and helpful to all readers, I fear that I am missing the opportunity to share my heart with by allowing you, Dear Reader to see into the full reality of my life experience.
The truth is, I don't "have it all together" and I would never want to portray that I'm some bulletproof, fearless and fail-proof expert at life. Ha! Far from it!
I wrote in HeatherFerroni.com...REALLY?! that I desire more to be known well rather than be well known. So, forgive me if I've painted an inaccurate representation and created a valley rather than building a bridge between us.
I recently took a HUGE leap of faith and resigned from my job to embark on a new chapter of my career path. I willingly left the security of a salary to work independently and start my own company (Elite TC Solutions). Although I am confident it was the right decision to make at the right time, it's no less frightening.
Well-meaning Christians sometimes inadvertently propose that faith and fear cannot exist together. Well, I'm here to confirm, that is simply just not true!
In the waiting period of moving out of my job and into my new assignment, I spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection. The Lord brought me back to the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see -Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
I'd be lying if I said the voice of the Accuser didn't offer me negative thoughts and that the spirit of fear didn't try to consume me with thoughts like "What are you thinking?! What if this plan doesn't work? You might fail and end up broke and destitute." ...But I had to (and have to continually) choose to be anchored in the truth and promises of God's word.
As I read on Hebrews 11 and reflected on others in the Bible, I recounted the stories of:
Moses, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, David, Joshua, Obediah, Elijah, Jonah, the people of Israel, Rahab, Mary Magdalene, the 12 disciples, Paul, Timothy, and JESUS!
How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. (Hebrews 11:32)
We'd be foolish to assume none of these historical power-player people of God weren't afraid. They endured battles, fears, opposition, war, threats, persecution and eventually death yet persisted despite their fear without having a clue what the next chapter contained. In fact, we learn that many of these people actually didn't receive the promises of God this side of Heaven. They persisted anyway. And I believe that we can borrow strength and courage from their stories to encourage us on our path when we face terrifying trials.
"We need champions from this zone. We need heroes in the middle to stand up and say 'I don't know what the outcome is'" -Paul Scanlon
So here I confess...I don't know what is contained within the pages of this next chapter of my life.
I just know I am choosing to persist in faith, with confidence that God is in complete control. He hasn't failed me yet and He wouldn't give me clearance to leave this last job without already being in my future, already at work orchestrating new connections, supplying me with supernatural strength, courage and wisdom with my next steps. So, instead of anxiety, I'm choosing excitement to embark on this new adventure. I may not see the entire staircase, but He's illuminated my next step. With the Word of God in my heart, I know:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -Psalm 119:105
I write this as a prophetic declaration of faith for myself to reflect back on AND to let you know that if you're in the messy middle...your message is in the making! I write this to encourage (to put courage into) you that there is The God of Heaven who loves you and desperately desires to meet you right where you are and walk with you. The way to Him is choosing to surrender your life to Jesus, the Prince of Peace as your Lord and Savior and when you do, you will gain immediate and irrevocable access to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, your Guide, Counselor, Advocate, and Intercessor.
If you'd like to surrender your life to Christ, click on the button above. And please, reach out to me. Know that I am available to walk with you through this decision and it would be my honor to stand with you in prayer in whatever you are going through. I won't try to "fix" you. I won't pretend to have all the answers to your problems. But I will be your judgment-free friend to show you the grace and mercy of Jesus.