The Courage to Step Back to Receive Clarity
“Radically obedient people no longer have to strategize and manipulate things into being. Instead, they are blessed with opportunities that bring them real satisfaction according to God’s perfect design for their lives.” — Lysa TerKeurst
The time had finally arrived when I started making steps to actively bring a dream I’ve had for many years to life! I was nervous yet excited when all of the sudden, my community starts questioning my dream. “Are you sure now is the right time?” “Why do you feel the need to go alone?” “How are you going to make this happen?” “I am worried for your safety, aren’t you?”
Friends, when the Father asks you to do something that stretches past your zone of comfort and qualifications, you are in good company. After all, He has a reputation for using regular people like you and I to do incredible things! But, as I have gotten older and walked closer towards the Lord, I believe if we are to move forward in our obediently, bold YES’S towards God; we must also have the courage to take a step back to receive His clarity and peace.
I knew I needed clarity for my vision and answers before taking another step. In this blog post, I am going to break down the three ways to step back so you can actively hear from God.
#1. Pray
I know this may sound clique, but prayer is essential in receiving clarity from the Lord. It is our most intimate means of connection to the Father through the Holy Spirit and a divine privilege we get to participate in.
Reveal your power Father. Not by my doing but by my being. Open doors you want opened and close doors you want shut. Not by my doing but by my being. This prayer I give to you. With open hands, an open heart, and on my knees.
Our Father gives yes’s or no’s, anything in-between is not of Him. If something is unclear to you, ask Him to reveal His yes or His no. He will make it clear by providing you with opportunities to move forward or the grace to stay still. “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.” — Matthew 5:37
When we pray:
He prepares - He frees - He speaks
He prepares our hearts for His. Meaning, He prepares our hearts to rest in His, He prepares our hearts to open up to hear from Him, and He prepares our steps to walk towards Him and the plan He has for our lives. Secondly, He frees us from the weight of our anxiety of trying to provide for ourselves instead of relying on the almighty Creator to do the heavy lifting. Finally, He speaks. Our Father longs to speak to His children and for His children to hear His voice. His word is our source of living, breathing truth and will tell us what to do and when to do it.
“Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything! Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience the peace of God, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
#2. Rest
The reality is this; we cannot receive clarity, when we are exhausted. The Nutritionist in me will say exhaustion brings forth brain fog, increased anxiety, and let’s not forget sugar cravings, but what does Jesus say about overworking and under resting?
When we are distracted, we are separated.
Exhaustion leads to confusion and confusion is a distraction from the mission He is calling us to. When we are distracted, we are separated. We cannot see His way, we cannot hear His voice, and we cannot feel His peace, which brings forth clarity.
So, how do we rest in Jesus?
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
This passage tells us how to rest and the rest our souls desire is only found in Him. To rest in Jesus is to abide in Him…to wait for or be prepared for. Not moving ahead with our own agenda but waiting patiently for His. This rest cannot be found in social media or Netflix bingeing, but instead it is found when we take a step back from all the distractions we cloud our minds with and draw close to Him.
Ways I rest include: long walks with a reflective podcasts or a close friend, attaining good quality sleep, turning my phone on DND, reading an encouraging book, reading scripture, and journaling / praying.
“Come to me, lay down what is bothering you, and I will give you REST…”
#3. Wait
Waiting on the Lord is a pure act of obedience and self-control. Our human nature is to push our own agenda, but the Father calls us to wait for His.
“Be still and know that I am God” — Psalm 46:10
Wait and receive His best!
Stop moving and have faith that He is who He says He is! When we are at a standstill and there are no moving parts, wait. Wait for His best! Our Father is patient. He doesn’t rush ahead and make mistakes, instead He takes His time making sure the path is clear and the hearts involved are prepared. John Piper said it best when he said, “Waiting is staying at your appointed place while He says stay, or it’s going at His appointed pace while He says go. It’s not impetuous and it’s not despairing.”
God is at work in our waiting! He knows the trials ahead and the hearts involved. He can see it all. When we wait, we allow Him to prepare the way and at just the right time, He will reveal the next steps and whisper to our longing hearts… “let’s go!”
Jesus chose a relational path to the cross. Meaning, He chose to have relationships with people, all people. He chose to walk with them, welcome them, know them, and love them for their differences. And you know what? Jesus wants the same for us. He desires us to live life in community with others. So, when my community was asking me questions, I couldn’t even answer for myself, I listened, we prayed, and then we gave it over to God and asked Him to make a way.
“Like Moses in the desert I want to see the land, but like Moses in the desert I cannot fully see your plan.” – Chris Renzema
Friends, let this encourage you: the Lord doesn’t call where He doesn’t lead. If you feel the call but you do not see the plan, take heart. Do not follow your heart, but take it from the confusion by separating yourself from the distractions. “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid!” — Matthew 14:27
He knows our troubled heart before we know to give it to Him, so I want to encourage you to seek clarity before taking a step. Pray, rest, and wait for the One who has overcome the world, is at work in our affliction, and preparing the way for His best in our lives.