In my walk with the Lord I have discovered an interesting truth.  The more I trust Him and take a step of faith, the closer my relationship with Him becomes.  Then, as my relationship deepens, trusting God becomes second nature.  It is a cycle that is truly encouraging to me and I welcome its revolution in my life. 

A few weeks ago, after much prayer and discussion with my husband, I decided to take that step of faith and quit my job.  As many of you know, I had been working full time and driving an hour and a half each way to the office.  I believe that God brought me this job when we first moved to Northern California and I am extremely thankful for the time spent there.  During the transition from our previous community to this new one, having the added income was a true blessing!  But I also think that it was something that God only intended for a while. In recent months, it had become increasingly clear that He wanted me to be able to focus on other areas in my life and to devote more time to serving Him.  The realistic side of me "ran the numbers" and did the calculations which pointed to continuing to work.  In this difficult economy, when people are struggling to get by, how could I simply choosenot to work?  But, I felt an increasingly strong nudging to step out in faith and trust that God would provide.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible’” (Matthew 19:26).

I don’t think a truer statement has ever been made!  With God, all things are possible.  We don’t need to figure out how it will all work.  We just need to trust God that if it is His will, He will make it happen.  Martin Luther King Jr. once said that to “Take the first step in faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase.  Just take the first step.”

And take the first step I did.  Then, wouldn’t you know it?  God has made a way.  He has provided a way to stretch our income enabling us to actually be better off financially than we were before I quit my job.  Things that were unseen to us while I was still working became visible as we focused more intently on our Father.  He provided a way!  Amazing?  Yes…that is our God.  He loves to make what seems impossible to us miraculously possible through Him.

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 21:17).

I am excited about this season of my life and where God is directing me!  As I offer myself to Him, I am stepping out in faith once more.  He has provided the time and resources to be able to serve Him in ways I am not even aware of yet.  But, I am listening and trusting my God!  He has shown me that nothing is too difficult for Him to accomplish.   And when I place my trust in Him, I am truly blessed.

Living for Him,





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14 Comments

  1. Way to take Him at His Word and trust Him Joan! So beautiful! Something I tell the studetns is with God, the more you trust, the more you turst. Have a great week!

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  2. Very encouraging. Thanks, Joan!

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  3. Joan:

    I have often heard people say, "Where God guides, He provides." It is so true...he will make a way - even though we think things are impossible.

    I'm excited for you in this new step of our journey.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. Oh love this post. I know you will be blessed with your decision. Four years ago I left a stable job to freelance and while it was a leap of faith, I have been so blessed.

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  5. Thank you for visiting my blog ... so nice to meet you. Now following you :)

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  6. As I was reading your words, something another blogging friend recently wrote came back to me.

    Jennifer of Smelling Coffee offered this:
    "those who walk by faith often appear foolish to the world."

    I'm so glad that you are listening to the Lord's counsel. It's too easy to do what seems to make sense. But the Lord has other plans for you. I have a 45 minute drive each way to work in heavy traffic so I understand how that drains.

    I'll be praying for you Joan. May the Lord continue to guide and lead you in His paths. He will work in you and through you to impact others.

    I am joining in with you today! :)

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  7. How wonderful! God is so good, thanks for sharing His goodness to you and your family.

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  8. Hi Joan - God is so good (all the time) when we take that step of faith. He always comes through in ways we could never have imagined. Great encouraging post. It is for me, confirmation of something I heard yesterday.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  9. You are so courageous to step out in obedience when it didn't seem to make much sense. You are right... You don't have to understand everything because all things are possible for those who believe!

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  10. Such an encouraging word, Joan. Yes, sometimes the road ahead is cloaked in darkness. But the Lord promises to light it up, often one step at a time. We will never know where the road leads unless we walk forward in faith.

    I'm so happy that God blessed your step of faith. I can hardly wait to see what He does in your life as you trust Him for those next steps!

    GOD BLESS!

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  11. I need this post today. I thank you for sharing it. I am glad to have found your blog and will be back.

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  12. When we take steps of faith, God always meets us. So thankful He's made a way for you!

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  13. Hi Joan. It's my first time to link up with you. I found your blog at Laura's Beholding Glory.

    It's true that the more we trust in God esp. in the hardest trials, the more our relationship with Him deepens.

    I pray that the Lord will bless and prosper this link-up of yours.

    Rina

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  14. Excited for you as well! Can't wait to see what God will do in your heart in the coming months. Rest in his love for you!

    peace~elaine

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