Scripture shows us that the plan of God for you was set into motion before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5). Can you accept this?
This is a very exciting fact. It means that you were a planned pregnancy. Whether or not your parents intended to conceive you, God planned for you. Since this is true, then He also prepared you for a special purpose.
I want to ask some questions–Where are you going?
Are you following God’s leading? Are you headed in another direction? Or are your travel bags stowed away in your closet because you have decided to stay put?
Read the Bible and you soon discover that God really likes His people to get up and get going. He sends them packing, leaving home to worship Him and to learn from Him in a congregational setting, traveling through new territory, taking land, helping people in need, establishing godly communities, and advancing His kingdom.
Scripture shows us that sometimes spiritual forces of darkness try to stop God’s people from obeying His instructions to get up and get going.
My situation is an example of this.
I knew it was coming–my sister was the organizer of an annual retreat set in a gorgeous location, overlooking Lake Tahoe. In my heart of hearts, I hoped that she wouldn’t invite me because, while some mom’s savor the idea of three days away from their little darlings, I relished the thought of cuddling up each night with my children, husband and the latest book that we were reading as a family.
The invitation finally came the day my sister phoned me. “Yes,” I told her. “I think I’d like to attend.” As soon as I hung up, contradictory thoughts assailed me. What am I doing leaving my children? Why did I tell her yes? I will hate it. My husband doesn’t want me going. My children will miss me. Blah, blah, blah.
During the few weeks between my sister’s invitation and the retreat, I went back and forth between attending and canceling my reservation. Nightly, I had anxiety and sleep escaped me. But when I arrived at the retreat center, all the emotional-mental junk vanished, and my soul was at peace.
That retreat changed my life. The first night, the minister gave me a word from the Lord which set me into my ministry. No wonder my mind had been a battlefield.
There’s a principle here that applies to many situations. When God says go, you might experience negative thoughts and emotions contradictory to His will. If you decide to stay home where you’re safe and comfortable when you’ve been given directions to put on your traveling shoes, you’ll miss the supernatural door that’s standing open before you and the blessing will be either postponed or entirely forfeited.
Over the years, my friend Brenda Peters has imparted wisdom to me that has stuck like honey to a bee. Once while ministering at one of our special events in Lakeview, she told the congregation to “Keep saying ‘YES’ to God.” This one statement has encouraged me to be brave and walk through the many doors that were opened to me.
My “Yes God. I’ll go” lead me out of my comfortable home into places where I felt awkward, vulnerable and inadequate. For instance, sharing my testimony on the radio and in other secular arenas. Once I spoke to a large gathering of wealthy business owners and notable persons as part of a fundraiser for a foster child advocacy organization. I’m telling you I was uncomfortable, and this is an understatement. But my words impacted hearts and thousands of dollars were raised to help foster kids.
I’ve ministered in Christian events hundreds of times. What people don’t know is that I often overcame my own personal storm in order to step through some of those open doors. For instance, serving in Mexico, traveling to Texas to prophesy over youth at Pastor Steve Hill’s church, and going to Colorado where my friend and I were asked to prophesy over leaders of a well known mega-church. Each of these opportunities took me out of my comfort zone and stretched me in big ways. Yet in each scenario, I was blessed beyond words by the miracles that God gave.
Where are you going? Has God opened a door to you? I hope you will answer, “Yes, Lord. I will go.”
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,”–Jeremiah 29:11
Scripture for your personal study: Romans 12:2; Proverbs 3: 5-6; Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 4: 12-13; Psalm 18:32; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 6:11-17; Matthew 13:19; Joshua 1:9.
May the Lord bless you on the journey set before you.
Pamela Koefoed
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