While working in the church shop on Tuesday one of my
colleagues called me over to look at something.
She had been sorting out the greeting cards and wanted to
show me the verse from Jeremiah 29 where God says
“I know the plans I
have for you, plans to prosper you…”
I gave her a hug; these often quoted words were just what I
needed to hear.
You see I have been watching the videos from the other
contributors to the Archbishop’s Faith Stories book. I’d like to know who these
people are before I meet them at the book launch on Friday. I’m interested in
their stories and want to find some common ground to talk to them.
A lot of them are ordained ministers in the church and those
that aren’t run projects working with the homeless or they go into prisons or
they have set up a hospice! Really big important stuff.
I’m feeling very ordinary with my own little story, I feel
like I don’t fit!
I’d love to turn my blog writing into a book. I’d like to think
my words could reach out to people and touch them where they are, helping others who find themselves on a similar journey.
But at this moment in time it’s all a dream in my head.
Maybe in ten or twenty years’ time I’ll have done something
to make me deserve a place in a book along with these other amazing people.
I told a friend how I was feeling and she sent me this text
“Be strong and know
that God has got you this far.”
Yes somehow God is in the midst of all this doubt; He knows
where I am going even if I don’t have a clue.
It reminded me of a scene in Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade – any excuse to add a clip of Harrison Ford to my blog…
Indy has to take a leap of faith, he has to trust that something
will break his fall and he won’t go tumbling into the chasm below.
Notice his heart is pounding, he is sweating, he consults
his book, he pauses and re-evaluates the situation but eventually there is
nothing left but to take that bold step.
I know exactly how he feels.
There is a wide crater before me full of immense
possibilities. My imagination tries to fill it but all I am doing is throwing tiny pebbles into a deep well. I have no idea how I will
get to the other side or what I will find when I get there.
My ideas don’t stand up but God’s imagination is so much
more vast than mine and he says trust me, I will be with you, this is in my
plans.
All I can do is hold on tight to the hand that created the
universe and believe this leap of faith isn’t actually a leap too far!
I'm not religious, although I am very spiritual, but you do have to trust; trust in you, trust that you will be okay, trust that you will bring what you need when the moment is right. And also believe in yourself, believe in your ability to provide what you want to.
ReplyDeleteDream big, imagine all you can, but most importantly keep stepping forward. The worst thing you can do is compare yourself to others and belittle what you can bring by doing that.
You have your own unique story, your own unique experiences, and your own unique perspective, all of which might be invaluable to another and help them in a way no one else can. It doesn't always have to be big and grand, it can be subtle and gentle too.
Listen closely to your soul, (some might say to God) and follow the good feelings you have about what you want to do and what you enjoy doing. Do what works for you. Stay on the path you want to be on, don't divert to suit others.
Stay strong, what will come to you, will be yours. Dream big!
Exactly what Miranda said!
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own path and I love the way the Lord directs mine, he often takes me paths I didn't expect. Trust is the biggest thing we need to accompany that leap of faith, but that leap is always worth it!
Your story is as important as all the others, or it wouldn't have been included, God knows who it will touch and help.
Definitely dream big!