When to Stay – When to Go
Ever relocated your family for a job assignment? We moved several times while in the ministry and military. Each move required packing up our belongings, emotions, and what was familiar. Uncertainties of when we would move, where we would go, and how long we would remain was part of this life. We were either at the mercy of orders handed down from Command or Gods new direction. We learned to depend on God for comfort, wisdom, and guidance.
Are you in the process of a move?
Are you packing up your belongings, emotions, and all that is familiar?
If your answer is yes, let me comfort you with a truth. God is already where you are going. He has your back. He is working out all the details and preparing new friendships… He is also working within you a deeper dependence on Him. He wants you to be settled in Him when your circumstances feel unsettling.
God shows us in Numbers 9:15-23 how He moved the Israelites through a cycle in an effort to grow them in complete dependence, obedience, and trust in Him.
God used a cloud by day and the appearance of fire by night (representing His presence) as a sign for when they were to move, where they were to move to, and how long they were to remain. If the cloud was settled upon the tabernacle, they were to camp and remain, but if it had moved, they were to set out.
This was the cycle upon God’s command:
Set Out-Camp-Remain
Set Out-Camp-Remain
Sometimes they would remain 2 days, a month, or a year…
I imagine the Israelites waking each morning, wiping their sleepy eyes, stumbling to the entrance of their tents, and slowly pulling the curtain back to see if God’s presence was settled upon the tabernacle, or if it had moved.
They looked for His presence and leading daily.
Can we say we are doing the same thing today? Are we wiping the sleepy off of our eyes expecting to see Him each morning? Are we trusting Him as He leads us?
Relocating can make us weary. It can lead us to shift our focus away from God and onto ourselves. When that happens, we can feel misled, unsure of our decision, and unsettled.
But, if we choose to apply Proverbs 3:5-6, we will find a settling peace and comfort in knowing we can trust God even when things do not make sense and they are hard.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)
The Lord will be at our side. He is a friend to the upright and blesses the home of the righteous. So, no matter where we are in the cycle of setting out-setting up- or remaining, God is at work. Look for His presence and leading daily. He is faithful to provide comfort, wisdom, and guidance.
You can check out Contagiousjoy4him & our statement of faith here. We Believe. You can check our Founder and Directors’s speaking schedule here. Find out more about Diane and our writing team.
 |
|
|
We are in the middle of this right now. My hubby is moving cross country this week, with us following after school is over. We will be apart for nearly 3 months with some time we will see each other briefly in there. I know God is in this move, but I still do not like being away from each other.
Being away from our loved ones is never easy even when God is in it. He is faithful to comfort us when our hearts ache for one another. Hang in there. Praying for you.
We just moved at the beginning of the year after my husband resigned from his last position with severance. My husband loves his new job. I’ve had to leave my friends, my house for 17 years, my job(I am able to work for them remotely till June at least) and the state I have been in my whole life practically. It is a very hard time right now. I am having trouble finding another job which is making me doubt my skills and abilities. Meeting new people is coming slow. Our son won’t move with us even though he is in college. I am really struggling. Any advice from those who have been in my my boat?
Transitions like these are so difficult. We know all the right things to tell ourselves and believe it will all work out but the doubt harasses us. Consider that each job you apply for is a door for God to open or keep closed. Trust Him in His timing, because where He is leading you is exactly where you are to end up. I know the process is painful, but in the end after all the refining it is delightful. Don’t buy into the lie you are alone, or that you do not have the skills or abilities… The truth is God has prepared you for a time such as this. Be still and know that He is God. Keep making yourself get out of the house. Ask someone to coffee. Be a part of the online bible study with the community at Contagious Joy. Spend time journaling your struggles and how God is revealing Himself. Surround yourself with 3×5 cards that have scripture and choose to meditate. His word is full of life and His word will sustain you through this transition. There will be a time you will not longer be in a transition and new roots will be planted. Be encouraged Sister. God has you and knows where you moved. Blessings, Jodi