We’re already one month into the year and quite frankly, January might need a do-over.
Everyone is on some new year, new me and showing these grand plans for 2020. But can I keep it real, real with you?
This year is feeling more like “new year, same me.”
While my social media news is full of people talking about their accomplishments from the last decade and these elaborate paths for 2020, I’m over here like, “do I eat cake today or tomorrow?”
2019 was all about going deeper in Christ. He manifested some dreams and new opportunities in my life so naturally, one month into 2020, I’m waiting with anticipation of what’s next. I want a detailed plan, ideas to put on my vision board, quotes to capture my desires and a complete blueprint of what lies ahead.
However, now that I’ve taken all my 2020 requests before the Lord, I’ve repeatedly heard, “wait on Me.”
The ambitious part of me wants to respond, “To do what?” I find myself already trying to move on to the next, but without a proper path to follow. And my drive to have a path has clouded my outlook.
But God, in His sovereignty, already had a message waiting for me in His word.
During my monthly women’s ministry meeting, we’re studying Esther. For those who aren’t aware, Esther is about a young Jewish woman who was raised by her uncle. She goes through a rigorous process to replace the previous queen and her uncle plays a key part in directing her into her destiny. In Esther 4:14, he encourages her to use her position and power because “who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther ends up saving the lives of her people through a bold act and petition of her king.
It’s a beautiful story of faith, family ties, courage, and purpose. Even more importantly, it’s a miraculous story about how God is capable of moving kingdoms, people and destinies in order to put you in a place where He can use you. This made me pause and sit in a state of awe. You mean to tell me, God can orchestrate an entire plan that moves a nation simply to put me in a position for what He has purposed for my life? Could it be that simple?
Well, yes and no. He doesn’t need your help. Yet, this isn’t simply a snap of the fingers and poof, all is well. He does need your faith. Anyone who has been walking with Christ knows that we have to put work behind our faith because faith without works is dead. Before Esther took action, she fasted and prayed. This prayer and fasting period allowed her to spend time with God and not act hastily or out of order. She was able to carry out an elaborate plan that ended with victory for herself, her uncle and her people.
If you’re like me and prefer to get the ball rolling, start executing a plan or take immediate action instead of waiting, consider this: waiting IS our action.
We are supposed to wait with a good attitude and work as unto the Lord until He gives us word to go. We have to be faith-filled Believers who believe He is strategically making moves on our behalf. Moves that will enlarge your path and ensure your foot won’t slip.
Such good news!
Scholars and ministers like to call out how God was never mentioned once in the entire book of Esther. Which is true. Yet, His will was still done for the Jewish nation. Your life may seem like the book of Esther right now. You may not see God working in 2020, but just because you can’t see Him or He’s not obviously mentioned in the everyday telling of your year, He is always working on your behalf. He has written your story and not forgotten any details.
The new year is here and it’s not slowing down for anybody. Instead of being obsessed with having a laid out plan, let’s look forward to actively waiting on God and His purpose in our lives.
Father, thank you for another year. Thank you for allowing us to survive the month of January. As we get ready to enter another month, help us to stay faithful. Even when we don’t see you at work, remind us that you are ordering our steps. Help us to be ready for whatever You have planned. For who knows if we have to come to this year for such a time as this.
