Day 12: The Next Step
Romans 8:13-14
13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Another day to be alive, and yet so many things are different today than the day before. My morning started out a bit later than the days before, 30 minutes or so, because I got to bed a bit too late last night. Come on Dustan, Discipline!
Seated on the couch I recalled the day before.
*Insert Flashback Here*
“Lord, When do we move out of this temporary base. Where do we move to to be near family before we head out again? How do I pay these bills?”
Suddenly I felt the Lord leading us back towards Bogue Chitto (Bo-ga Chit-a), where my family lives. My brother just moved out of his home into one that he was blessed with, and his old home is in my favorite place on my Parent’s property. It would be a separate place, but in walking distance through my old friends, the tree of the property I grew up in. Darlene the night before had felt this rush of emotion and a leading of the spirit to consider moving. At first it seemed like the normal feelings wives of people like me have. “We need Roots,” which is totally understandable, but sometimes not so easy when you are called to be and do what we are called to be and do. Our roots are in the ground which the Lord tells us to stop on. We’re Ints. But, now it didn’t seem like such. It was strange. The Lord had led us to this rental home as our base. He used it to connect us to our new Church here. We were able to encourage and bless quite a few folks, and do some MUCH needed work. It has been great, but why? Why so soon? Yes, yes. We only have 5-6 months before we are leaving the country. I see. The bills here are unreasonable (not rent, the utilities). And we need somewhere that when we visit the USA to itinerate we will be able to be close to family and so future grand-kids can be close to MoMo and PawPaw.
Ok Lord, I see. When?
“Get ready.”
“Yes Lord.” I guess that means a few months. “Thanks for preparing us. We’ll go wherever you lead. Again.”
We’re nomads for Jesus. It’s an exciting life. Everything we are doing in our personal life and ministry is in preparation for a more prosperous and fruitful future. We’re plowing the ground, planting the seeds. Harvest is coming.
— A FEW HOURS LATER —
Knock. Knock. Who’s there? A potential buyer.
Now WE are not selling this place. Our land lord, and nice lady named Sandy, has been so flexible and kind towards us. Before, the house wasn’t selling so she decided to rent it to us with no lease. Perfect for us. A provision of God. We in turn told her that if she had the chance to sell, let us know. We would work with her so she wouldn’t miss her chance. She even gave us first chance. The Lord did not lead us to buy.
The potential buyer guy walks in with the realtor. He looks around. Checks the floor plan. Smiles.
“So when are you guys leaving for another missions trip?” he ask.
“September, but if you are interested in buying we can move out sooner. Sandy has been great to us.”
“Now I don’t wanna put you out, but I only have money available for a short time. I’d like to buy it, but if I can;t get it soon, I’ll have to go elsewhere and Sandy is a good friend of mine.”
“No, no. We can be out as soon as the week after Easter.”
“Really? That’s really quick. You sure?”
“Yes sir. We have somewhere to go. Buy this place.” We did have somewhere to go. God had told us the next step a few hours before in our quiet time. HE knew this was coming and was trying to prepare us. He had a better plan for us. Our job here was done. Moving on to new pastures. Nomads.
“Well thanks guys. That’s really great. Good deal.”
He shook my hand and walked out. I looked at Darlene.
“Amazing. I mean the Lord never leaves us in the dark when we seek him and learn to listen to that still small voice.”
“I know,” she replied. “I mean he moved on my heart LAST NIGHT for us to get ready to leave.”
*End Flashback*
Often, and very often, the only leading we are going to get is the leading of the next step. God WILL show us a glimpse of what is to come, but for our sakes he golds back the turn by turn google directions so that we don’t run a stop light and get smashed by circumstances that we, as mortal men, had NO idea about.
When we were in Laos the Lord put on Darlene and my own heart to go to a CERTAIN village in the mountains. We tried to get a bus and go the famous Southeast Asian answer; “Can Not.” It burns us Americans to the bone to think something is impossible. But hey, these are the locals. Rule of thumb: “LISTEN TO THEM.” But still the Lord wouldn’t let us stop. He was pushing us forwards every time we prayed. Finally, in a last attempt we felt we should catch a bus to the middle of NO WHERE in hope to catch a motorcycle or truck into the village. The roads we’re washed out; rainy season.
We took the next step. Went to that town when we felt we should. When we arrived, we bumped into two young ladies. We said the name of the town. They smiled, looked confused, and in sign language told us that they were from that very village. We could come with them. They had been there for only a few minutes, and had come to buy supplies, but we’re headed back. We had arrived JUST in time to the RIGHT place. Long story short, 7 long motored canoe hours later we arrived in the village in pitch black dark. The next morning we took the next step; find a translator. We looked and looked with no luck, then we sat down at the perfect little eating stall. A man walked up.
“Hello. Where are you from?” He was a police officer. He offered to be our guide and translator. He had had a Christian friend in school in the capital once. He liked him, so he like us. Once again, perfect timing, perfect person with the authority to take us back to the villages. We went, preached, prayed, and saw the Lord show his love to the villagers.
The next step is all we need. As God is leading us and preparing us, he will lead and prepare you. Trust me, he doesn’t want you stumbling around in the dark. As his adopted child you have the right to his guidance, and he will freely give it. Whatever the next step is, find courage, and take it.
Now to pack up and move. Wonder what’s next?
