Be Strong and Do the Work

Hello friends. Two weeks have passed since my last blog post. Today is a significant day for me as I begin doing something I’ve needed to do for a long time. The story I share today speaks deeply to my heart. I pray you will be encouraged by this message.

True Story Ahead

If you read my last blog post, you know my job at Bethel University was eliminated. My official last day as an employee was September 28. You may be wondering what I’ve been doing since.

Here’s a list of a few things I’ve spent my time doing:

• Slept in
• Stayed up late
• Watched a couple of cheesy movies and a couple of inspirational movies
• Traveled to SD for my niece’s wedding
• Danced and celebrated with my family
• Babysat my grandson a few days
• Started teaching myself how to use my new MAC
• Did dishes
• Did laundry
• Cleaned toilets
• Paid bills
• Shopped for groceries
• Oil change
• Dog groomed
• Had coffee with a favorite grad school classmate
• Had coffee with some cool women from my church
• Went on a walk with a BFF
• Had lunch with another BFF and spent time at her home for a few hours
• Talked on the phone with another BFF
• Texted, emailed, FaceBook messaged, and Instagram messaged many friends

Much of what I’ve been doing is just normal life. That doesn’t change just because one’s job is eliminated.

Purpose of the Wilderness Journey

In spite of all the normal activities happening, my wilderness journey is well underway. And this week in particular the journey has led me to my knees, to my face planted on the floor, and to my Bible.

I’ve gone through an entire box of tissues, sat for hours seeking God for direction. Talking, listening, and crying to Jesus. Lots of journaling. Lots of reading. Through it all, I’m waiting for His next steps for me.

I didn’t realize just how significant this wilderness journey would be. I don’t know how long it will take. I don’t know today all that I’ll learn, how I’ll change or how this journey will look throughout. But I know now it’s primary purpose: more intimacy with Jesus.

When Jesus brings us into the wilderness, He intends to deepen our relationship with Him. He desires a truly intimate relationship with us.

Friends, this is the most significant purpose for any wilderness journey in our lives. I wish I could tell you that we only have to go through one, but I’ve been through many wilderness journeys in my life. This week, I’ve been reflecting on these. God has reminded me how much my relationship with Him was strengthened during each journey.

The Struggle and Strength of the Wilderness Journey

I won’t lie, wilderness journeys are difficult. They are full of sacrifice, risk, change, and the unknown. But God is faithful to lead us through them. If we cooperate, we come out with a deeper faith in Jesus, stronger relationship with Him, more trust in Him, and better prepared for the new place He’s leading us.

If we cooperate with God, we will change. We will become more of who He intends us to be, who He created us to be.

God has reminded me this week how much my roots of faith in Him have grown during my wilderness journeys. These have made me a stronger person.

He’s also reminded me of things I had to let go of and things I needed to embrace in order to move forward. More and more I realize even in wilderness journeys there are both/ands.

In each wilderness journey I’ve experienced, I’ve had to let go of relationships, places, things, ways of thinking, and ways of behaving just to mention a few. In fact, one time I had to leave a church and begin going to a different one. Another time I had to let go of intense anger and learn to embrace gentleness. Still on another wilderness journey I had to forgive someone for doing something heinous to someone I love and then testify about the power of forgiveness.

While in each wilderness journey, I’ve had to let go of some things, God’s also had me take on new things, new ways, and new relationships. All of these became a part of my new life. I learned the things God asked me to let go of were important for my own development, my own purpose, my relationship with Him to honor and obey Him. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else, just to you and God. And chances are, there will be people who will question you and not understand. That’s okay.

Chosen Work

I read 1 Chronicles 28 yesterday. Before the death of King David, he handed over his reign to his son Solomon. One day David summoned all the officials of Israel. They gathered to hear King David’s words to Solomon:

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9-10

David handed over his reign as king to his son Solomon. David wasn’t just king, he was also father. In these roles he charged Solomon to obey God’s commands, to get to know God intimately, and to complete the very important work assignment chosen just for him.

Even though it was in David’s heart to build the Temple, God chose Solomon to build the Temple. David accepted this and even instructed Solomon exactly how to build the Temple. Twice David said to Solomon “Be strong and do the work.”

Solomon obeyed.

This story speaks deeply to my heart.

When we are chosen by God to do specific work, it is our duty to obey.

God has chosen me to write a book. I’ve known this for a long time. He wants me to be strong and courageous and do the work now.

As crazy as it may seem to others, I’m being called to write my book during the rest of October. I don’t know that I’ll get it done. That’s probably asking a lot from even a well-seasoned writer. But I know what I know and God wants me to focus on writing my book for the next three weeks before I pursue other next steps.

To some this may seem ridiculous. That’s okay. God’s ways are often not man’s ways. The Bible says that God directs our steps. The Bible also says more than once if we seek God, we will find Him. I’ve been seeking Him. I’ve found Him. I’ve heard from Him.

It’s amazing to me how after three days of intense pursuit of God and camping at His feet, He’s revealed to me through this story of King David and King Solomon what He wants me to do next, at least for the next three weeks. Be strong. Be courageous. Write my book. In other words, like David charged Solomon, “Be strong and do the work.”

I just want to give you all a head’s up this means I won’t be writing any other blog posts or working on any social media posts for the rest of October. At least that’s my plan. I know God could direct me to post something, but it’s not my plan to right now. I’m still committed to previously scheduled meetings and events, but I’ll not add any more. I need to do this God-chosen work and see how much I can accomplish this month.

It’s both exciting and I’ll admit, a little scary. One thing I’ve learned in all my previous wilderness journeys, God doesn’t mislead us, hurt us, or waste our time. We can trust Him. I’ve also learned He’s prepared me. I’m ready.

Like Solomon decided to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD, so I will write a book to honor the name of the LORD.

May we all learn to know God intimately. Worship and serve him with our whole heart and a willing mind. May we all be strong and do the work that the Lord has chosen for us to do for Him.