I'm Sort of Lame at the Side-Step

This is part 2 of last week's Whose Battle Is It, Anyway?

I stood in the bathroom drying my hair when I first sensed God asking me to step out of His way. Some stuff has been going on in my life, and by stuff I mean unpleasant situations over which I have little to no control (aside from praying, and girl, you'd better believe I'm praying).

As I brushed out my hair, I got a mental picture of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. They were up against a raging Red Sea, with the Pharaoh and all his soldiers hot on their trail. It was do or die, baby, so... "Moses told the people, Fear not, stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again." (Exodus 14:13)

The mere thought of never again dealing with some of this particular stuff in my life felt promising, even exhilarating. God clearly impressed on my heart that morning in the bathroom that in order for this to happen, I needed to step aside. Instantly I saw myself hovering over the situations that trouble me, suggesting this, trying that, and otherwise spinning my tail into a not so pleasant knot.

Maybe you don't run interference with God like I sometimes do, so just bear with me while I bare my soul.

All of my ideas, not so subtle suggestions, and maneuvering were putting me between God and the situations. I was blocking the way. My 'help' was not help at all, it was hindering God's work. Actually, my 'help' indicated a lack of patience and a pathetic lack of trust in the One I claim to trust above all else.

So, even though I'm sort of lame at the side-step, I did it. Practically, that means that aside from praying, I'm not touching the situations. I'm not worrying, I'm not hinting, I'm not cajoling and I'm certainly not suggesting.

What, exactly, am I doing?
  • I am choosing to believe that God is at work.
  • I'm resisting my natural inclination to do something. (Much harder than it sounds!)
  • I'm resisting negative thoughts and refusing to dwell on them.
  • I am breathing the words I trust You, God as many times a day as it takes.
This is trust in action. It's putting legs on the faith I claim to possess. The exciting thing is that even though things don't look better or even different (yet) in the natural, my spiritual eyes are opening. I'm powerfully sensing God at work. I'm perceiving amazing possibilities and a deep joy is growing within me.

What does all this have to do with you? Well, I'm wondering if you might like to try the side-step with me. If I can do it, anyone can. Just take a deep breath, and...step aside. Trust God. Let Him fight for you. Maybe together, we can actually ace this thing.

"The humble will see their God at work and be glad." Psalm 69:32a

Photo by me.

13 comments:

Walk In Truth said...

Hi, hope your having you are having a good day!
You stated in your post, "I'm powerfully sensing God at work. I'm perceiving amazing possibilities and a deep joy is growing within me."

In my life, I have sometimes experienced The joy of the Lord during the midst of trials. It's at the most unexpected moments that He lets me see through His eyes, and it is then I am reminded I need to let go of control, and watch Him work. This is a struggle more often then not, because I'm impatient, but He has not given-up on me, and I know He never will. Amen!!

Great post!
God Bless,
Michele Katherine

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Can't tell you how much I needed this today. I love watching what happens when I choose to believe God is as powerful as He says He is and I also love it when I remember and live in the truth that I have that same power (the same power that rose Jesus from the dead) in my Spirit.

Wonderful post!
~ Wendy

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Julie, your post is a great reminder to me. It's so easy to want to do God's work for Him, but it does show my lack of trust. It's hard to let go but I'm trying!

Cheryl Barker said...

Another great verse along these lines is Ex. 14:14 - "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Like you said, easier said than done, but oh, how much peace we find we do it, huh?

Blessings to you this week, Julie!

achildoftheking said...

Julie,

I'm with you. Yes, LORD! Thank You Father God!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, Julie. I would love to side step with you, regarding a loved one's awful marriage and the three precious children caught in the quicksand. I know I can't do anything, I know God can, so here. I. Go. Stepping to the side right now. Will you hold my hand, please?

Whew. That does feel better. Thank you, honey.

I found you on Wendy Miller's blog. So glad the Lord directed me here. I'll be back.

Tana said...

Well truly we have the same God because He told me to get out of his way too!

B His Girl said...

I am hearing the same thing. Just looked up the verse on God working before I read your post. God's confirming what I know. I must practice what I preach: ) b

Ginny said...

ok, Julie, I am side stepping along with you.
Ok, Lord, I will let you get your work done with me...
Ok, so I will patiently wait on the Lord..no worries..no anxiety..just faith...amen

Terri Tiffany said...

A very powerful and needy and timely post in my life. I've been getting in God's way too much but part of me, I'll be honest here, is so afraid if I step aside. But I am trying to each and every day as my husband and I battle this trial now.

Melinda said...

I'm trying to do this, too, Julie, in a heart-wrenching situation in parenting. It feels so WRONG to do nothing ... I AM the parent after all. I'm supposed to fix it. But after turning myself inside out, I realize I can't.

Praying for you.

KelliGirl said...

Julie,
This is so powerful. I love the line: This is trust in action. It's putting legs on the faith I claim to possess"

You're not just putting legs on your faith, you're putting sneakers on it as well! I know God is doing a good work in this. And am anxious to hear the next chapter of this story.

Your example convicts me of something that's going on in my own life.

Blessings to you!
Kelli

mariel said...

this is good stuff!! often God wants us out of the way, so we can get a good view of His glory when He reveals it!! Praise Him!!

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