I had finally been emerging from what felt like the desert season of my life. The change of landscape meant a change in perspective and what should have been a positive shift I had slowly allowed to drown out largely because of my personality and tendencies - those that were my companion in the desert*, those that God had been working out in my life.

I'm constantly reminded of the words of Priscilla Shirer in her Gideon study, "when you're not who you used to be, you have no business going where you used to go."

(The desert though seemingly a dry and barren place is actually a place of progress ... it means stepping out from the place of bondage - Egypt ... and journeying on towards the promise.) It's moving forward; even when it doesn't feel like it.

Even if I was not willing to go back, enough of a shift in my journey (my thinking, my perspective) would take me off course from where God was wanting to bring me. Just a slight degree of miscalculation can completely derail the destination. So watching the influences we allow in our lives is crucial - even if they are our own influence...

There will always be distractions ... noise; but we can control the volume of it in our lives.

I'm thankful I noticed the waters rising before I drowned.

In a promo email I received several months ago, Hillary Rushford from Dean Street Society shared this video on hope and healing which included many sentiments I could relate to:




But it was this statement on floating that has stuck with me:
"Grace is like floating. And the fascinating thing about floating is that if you work for it it doesn't work. If you try to muscle your way into staying on top of the water you're actually just treading water which is exhausting and completely unsustainable. In order to actually float you have to trust that 'this living water has got me.' So that posture of floating allows you to go further and faster with more ease. ...Rest in this living water." - Dean Street Society - Personal Stylist, Hilary Rushford

With the realization of what was happening in my heart and mind I gratefully welcomed a break from social media. While I have found a lot of great inspiration and connection there, I was realizing that I also welcoming comparison ... again. I was trying to realize the dreams God has placed in me, but the "noise" of influence was muddying the picture. With that, I stepped away and am in a season of stilling myself. Controlling the noise ...
And perfectly enough, the words of this song have become my anthem in this season. 

"I'm caught up in Your presence
I just want to sit here at Your feet
I'm caught up in this holy moment
Oh, I'm not here for blessings
I never want to leave Jesus, You don't owe me anything

More than anything that You can do, I just want You "


God, I just NEED You!!!



Dared To Dream | Moroccan Adventure

I had debated chronicling about my dreams at the chance of a photography mentorship in Morocco with World Nomad's scholarship program, publicly, here. Quite possibly, more so because of my pride, as my hope has faded to almost less than a mere mustard seed just days before they announce the winner and a part of me hoped people would forget. (How can they when I've been resounding over it for weeks though?!) But since I believe that nothing is wasted in life, I don't want to forget what this season has brought forth in my heart and mind and the hope that maybe others will be inspired to take a leap of faith towards their own, God-given dreams and destiny.
 

Pieces

Every one is looking to fit somewhere ... right? And yet, we were created to fit somewhere, divinely knit together in our mother's womb and placed at this point in time, for such a time as this; a specifically and intentionally crafted piece of the puzzle to a bigger picture. Created on purpose - for a purpose.

Reflections On Peru | Claudia

The hours upon hours of journaling here, chronicling our days in Peru was therapeutic for me. It helped me to remember our incredible adventure in Peru and the lessons I gleaned along the way.

But I really hope to offer a perspective beyond my own, so I have asked our team to share from their experience.

Today's reflections are brought to you from one of our translators, Claudia!

Reflections On Peru | Julia

The hours upon hours of journaling here, chronicling our days in Peru was therapeutic for me. It helped me to remember our incredible adventure in Peru and the lessons I gleaned along the way.

But I really hope to offer a perspective beyond my own, so I have asked our team to share from their experience.

Today's reflections are brought to you from Julia!

SPIRIT LEAD ME | Part 9

Ready or not, the time had come to say goodbye to Iquitos which had truly become a home away from home over the last week to me.

SPIRIT LEAD ME | Part 8

Today was the day! I had been waiting for the last few days to have the team sing Happy Birthday to my hubby! Initially coming on the trip, I had really hoped he would come with me - "it'd be a pretty epic way to celebrate 40," I tried to convince him. To my own disappointment, he didn't feel the same undeniable leading I had; and I felt pretty bad about missing such a special birthday. I wanted him to know that even though I wasn't with him, I was thinking of him and grateful for his love and support.
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