Stop the Merry Go Round...I Want Off!

I'm a thrill seeker! I love roller coaster rides and taking hills at a speed that lifts my tummy like any other fun-loving adventurous person...BUT lately I want to scream..."STOP THE MERRY GO ROUND...I WANT OFF!"

Over the last three years, my family and I have made great sacrifices to walk in step with God's will. It didn't make sense when God called me to step away from my lucrative six figure career to do the work of the ministry... but down I stepped. Since then, we've experienced extreme blessings and extreme trials.

The first year, we didn't skip a beat; God poured out abundantly; my husband made triple our household income...I was confident God confirmed my steps...Then the MERRY GO ROUND spun; my husband switched careers and our finances cut in half. I felt a swish in my stomach...but over all...we remained unscathed...I remained confident in God's call.

Then the Merry GO ROUND spun a little faster...We felt led to move our family from Kentucky to Texas. Again, God said to trust Him. But as we left the security of all we had come to know and follow His lead, my faith stretched. We remained in Texas for 11 months, experiencing miraculous provisions...but it certainly was a walk of faith...and then...

The Merry Go ROUND spun once more. God called us to once again uproot our family and move to Florida to do the work of the ministry...Was God really moving us? Would He ask us to give up everything?

I prayed, "God we need our steps confirmed." And so God confirmed our steps; He confirmed in numerous ways...too many to share on a blog post...most of the ways were unexpected...While my husband ministered in India, God spoke to Him, saying that it would appear as though he was stepping off into a big black hole but He would provide stepping stones and position them firmly under his feet...

Everything in me wanted to cry, "I don't want to be surrounded by blackness...I want a street paved with gold...surrounded by bright lights! STOP THIS MERRY GO ROUND RIDE NOW!" But, again, I watch God's marvellous provision...His provision always looks different than I expect...but through this process, I'm learning to trust at a level like never before.

I share our testimony because there is a facade of Christianity that says if you are a Christian you will recognize God's blessing in abundance...But God is with us in the blessings and in the trials.

Romans 5:2-5 says, "...we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)

I think it's an important message to know...God is with us regardless of our circumstances! And, today, I hear His gentle reminder found in Isaiah 42:3-9, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." This is what God the LORD says — he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." (NIV)

GOD IS DOING A NEW WORK! So remember, our circumstances don't dictate God's presence and our difficulties don't delineate His love. Do what God has called you to...hold on tight...lean in...and let the MERRY GO ROUND SPIN as it wills...and no matter what comes your way...choose to enjoy this ride we call LIFE...KNOWING GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU! Faith honors God and God honors faith! So, don't worry...He's still with you! :)

PRAYER: Father, sometimes life feels so out of control; so many things make us feel as if we are alone. But we know You are with us. We ask for Your Presence to guide us and for You to provide for our every need! We put our hope and trust in YOU!