The Uncomfortable Stretch

I’m just going to talk about it. I’ve felt kinda fuzzy and unclear over the past few months with writing. Not sure exactly why. Lots and lots of good changes in our lives, which God has definitely orchestrated. But even good transitions are still transitions, and they’ve gotten me distracted and weary.

Absolutely, I can see God’s handiwork, I honestly can, and I’m so grateful. But writing and posting these days are more like white noise, or, in some cases, complete radio silence.

Woman Made Well has held that mum vibe for the past three to four months. Like fumbling along without light, I’m reaching out for spiritual landmarks to guide and direct me. I must admit it’s a really uncomfortable situation to acknowledge and share. 

I don’t want to disappoint, but this slowing of momentum I feared was revealing something in me that made me question even the genesis of Woman Made Well. “Was this all me, Lord?” “Was I exalting myself?” “Am I doing what I should be doing?” “Have I lost my passion for witnessing for You?” 

All the questions, no answers. 

God’s my help. 

The vision and the words aren’t coming. 

But God’s my help.

Just as stretching a hand out helps me navigate where I am in the physical world when light is absent. How much more do I appreciate the light when it comes flooding back for clarity for my eyes? Likewise, how more grateful will I be when I reflect on the opportunity to stretch my faith to trust God is working even in silence to help me?

God is seeing how far my faith will stretch. Not because He wants to see me tank and fail. No, it’s because He’s developing a muscle that is only tested by the resistance it comes up against. 

Do I walk by faith or by sight? Do I really mean God’s will be done in my heart? How tightly am I clutching my plan? Do I believe He’s working in my life, especially when things seem dark?

I decided I needed to remind myself – I’m so forgetful – why I started this blog in the first place. So I’ve been rereading some of the initial posts. I need to believe that God is doing something in me and through me that I couldn’t possibly conceive of in my wildest dreams or imagination. Because that’s what He wants to do through all of His children. 

He is still our help. He decided our calling and purpose. Will we choose to stretch our faith muscles to believe He’s working out the details according to His plan?

Let’s choose to set our faces like flint and continue moving forward, patiently waiting for His help. 

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed…The Lord God will help Me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:4; 7