By +Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
I met Tiffany Parry on a weekly link up we both do called Five Minute Fridays. As we’ve gotten to know each other through our blogs, my respect for this lady continues to grow. She’s a beautiful writer and a sweet lady with a vibrant relationship with God. I asked her to share part four of my series Life Lessons. (Find Parts One, Two, and Three here). I look forward to the day I get to sit and have coffee with Tiffany in person. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the words she shares on her blog.
Please help me welcome Tiffany!
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My 40th birthday is a few weeks away. As I look ahead with anticipation, I also look back and assess the landscape of my life. I’m counting what I’ve accomplished, the dreams I’ve pursued, and even the longings I’ve allowed to slip through my fingers.
It’s true what they say: youth is wasted on the young.
If the option to go back was delivered to my doorstep, there is no doubt that the retreating journey would be quite interesting with today’s wisdom and knowledge in hand. Packing up all I’ve gleaned at God’s feet would make my twenties a very different place to live.
There were moments along the way where I lived paralyzed. By fear. With indecision. In seeking approval from other people. The ill pursuit of perfection, planted my feet rather than pushing me forward.
While I’d like to think that my lack of movement was my form of waiting for God’s direction, truthfully it wasn’t waiting—it was stalling.
The motion of time has taught me this: God meets us in our movement.
While there are often times in our lives when we have to be still and wait, there are also moments of seeming silence when God is simply asking us to move.
“And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21 ESV (emphasis added)
God will match our forward motion with His direction. But first we have to move.
It can be so hard, can’t it? We worry over what’s up ahead. We wonder whether the path we travel truly merits our steps. We long for some sign to tell us that it’s safe to press on. Truth be told, we crave answers that fall from the sky.
But they don’t often come that way, do they?
What greater sign do we need than that of the cross? Where Jesus poured out His blood so that we could be assured that we will never, no never, be left or forsaken by the Savior who gave His life to capture our heart.
Our faith is meant to be lived.
God doesn’t want to puppet us; to pull strings. If He did, He could. There are no strings attached with God. He is who He says He is, and He’ll do what He promises. And His desire is that through faith, with sound judgment, we would exercise the wisdom we have gleaned through a steady walk with Him. That we not only hear, but we do.
He wants us to choose and then He’ll move.
I’ve seen God close doors, but I’ve yet to feel Him push me through one. He may lead and guide, but God does not shove. He’s able, willing even, to throw up a roadblock when we’re heading the wrong direction, but we won’t reach it if we never walk toward it.
If I had that engraved invitation to go back in time, I’d tell that younger version of me to take a risk. To be willing to wade a little deeper, tread some uncharted territory, and lay claim to the desires of her heart. I’d whisper that she could be brave and put words to the stirring that God had written on her soul. I would move.
Frozen steps can be quickly thawed with the courage that comes from a fiery faith in an unwavering God.
But better than behind, is what lies ahead. Now, I know what I know, and I know who He is. And probably more than ever, I know who I am in Him.
With Him by my side, by yours too, there is nothing that can stop us … if we will just move.
What about you? How is God calling you to put feet to your faith and move forward with Him? How have you seen God meet your forward motion with His direction?
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Tiffany is exceedingly grateful to be loved by a God who knows her flaws and yet prizes her as precious and chosen. She is a wife and mom of one, who daily leans into grace in order to be unleashed from her perfectionist chains. A lover of words, Tiffany purposes to use hers to speak truth and encourage others that while life can be messy, God is greater. Follow the word-by-word journey through the mountains and valleys of faith at Tiffany’s blog, Simply for One. You can also join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Really great and honest post – and very thought-provoking.
I learned early in life to move fast, hammer down, and never mind the consequences. (It goes well with my adoption of Keith Richards’ adage, “When you’re going to kick authority in the teeth, you may as well use both feet.”)
I’ve done a lot, and learned a lot, and really screwed up a lot…and as life now approaches what seems to be its end, I don’t really know quiet.
But I hear another dawn coming up like thunder, and I’ll gladly still ride the storm while I can.
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It sounds like you have truly lived, Andrew – both feet forward! 😉 It’s amazing how we learn as much (if not more) from our mistakes as we do from the day to day nuances of life. I think that’s the beauty of faith – it’s not free from missteps and detours – but it gives us a solid foundation to cling to even in them. Thank you for sharing your perspective and here’s to riding out every last drop of life.
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I love this, thank you. You are so right, I have never felt him shove. That gentleness is a beautiful thing.
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It really is, isn’t it? As righteous and just as our Savior is, He is the most gentle of gentleman. Thanks for joining the conversation today. Blessings.
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Thank you, Tiffany and Jeanne, for this thoughtful post. I read recently that fear is a sin, because the Bible definitely says “Do not fear!”…..in fact many times. I have been fearful to move, to act, because of …… fear of failure, fear of not being perfect, fear of being noticed, fear of not having the energy….and on and on. A book I just finished convicted me of not doing enough to truly live my faith. This post compliments my dawning awareness that I need to step forward and MOVE in the action plan God is nudging me towards. And He will meet me along the way. Thanks for a perfectly timed post!
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To God be the glory for that most excellent timing! I know those fears quite well, Sherida. It’s incredible how they can derail the mightiest of faith, especially when they come on the whispers of the father of lies. How blessed are we that God goes before our every step and paves the way for that forward motion – then comes behind to assure that we are heading the right way. Amen…He will meet you ALL along the way. Blessings to you and thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
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Tiffany, thank you so very for being my guest today! I appreciated your thoughtful insights!
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Tiffany, you always make me think. And I mean that in the very best way. You’ve challenged me here, and I know God is calling me to move forward…I’m just not sure what that looks like yet. So, I’m going to spend some dedicated time in prayer over this. Thank you for your words here. Always blessed by you. xoxo
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I’m glad I make you think in a good way, friend. 🙂 Moving isn’t always easy and often it’s paired with fear of the uncertain, at least for me. That Holy Spirit discernment and those sweet nudges the Lord gives signal the right way though, don’t they?! Praying God clears your path and guides your way. xoxo
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It was pure joy, Jeanne – thanks for inviting me in. 🙂
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Thanks for this encouragement to GET MOVING! Reminds me of that old saying that paralysis comes from too much analysis. It’s so true that we sense God’s direction more when we are actually moving. My next steps will be to work on improving my blog, growing as a writer, and exploring free-lance writing!
Hi Jeanne, thanks for featuring Tiffany!
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Betsy, I’m so thankful you stopped by! I love your plans and steps. 🙂 I couldn’t have been happier than to have Tiffany stop by today. 🙂
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Those are fantastic plans, Betsy and I’m expectant of what God will do with the incredible gifts He’s given you. Praying He blesses those forward steps.
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Tiffany, your words meet me right where I am today, wishing for an answer to fall from the sky, but knowing that what I actually l need to do is take one step at a time and trust that God is working. And about that birthday … in some ways, my 40s (all four years of them) have been more rewarding than any previous decade. Harder, yes, but full of realizations and growth that I never expected. Many blessings to you as you continue down the path that God has set before you!
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Lois, being closer to 50 than 40, I completely agree with you. I often say, “I found myself in my forties.” Thanks so much for visiting here!
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I’m so delighted to hear the words met you, Lois. I know that wish for answers well, but as you said there is great growth that comes from leaning in and trusting God rather than a drop-in answer. And…as I approach 40, I couldn’t agree more – I’m grateful for the wisdom that comes from a well worn path of faith. Thanks for joining the conversation today – and thank you for your blessings.
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If we are just willing to move. So true. I would tell my younger self that, too … but it’s amazing that after knowing that, I can still become afraid of change, movement. Trust is so critical. I suppose we spend our whole lives learning to trust. 🙂
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Shelli, I’m like you. I don’t often choose change. But, when we trust God with all of who we are, at least we can take those steps into change with confidence that He’s got us! 🙂
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It is a life long lesson, isn’t it Shelli?! Yet even in our lack of movement and often our lack of trust, God continues to prove trustworthy. Which often makes me ask why I fail to give Him the fullness of my trust. I’m grateful for grace – that we can continue to learn, grow, and even falter – yet He loves us still. Thank you for being here. Blessings!
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