You might think I’m rambling. {Yes, I’m a verbal processor. Yes, I said ‘Um.’ a few times. Yes, this is my first vlog, while driving.}
But I hope there is a nugget of truth that you can relate to. {Please. Make me feel more normal and relate. I’m talking to myself in the car!}
I feel unfinished, incomplete in my dreams. I sense another God-sized adventure around the corner. I will hold on. “Morning by morning he wakes me and opens my understanding to his will.” Isaiah 50:4
What Word inspires you, during time of expected change, dreaming?
By Stephanie Bryant, co-founder of (in)courage and Creative Mastermind at S. Bryant Social Marketing.
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Leigh says
I have to confess – I see what you’ve accomplished and the support system you have behind you, and how you are doing something I feel you love….and I am only a little unsettled. Not because I think you don’t have validity in what you’re feeling, or that you’re not capable in having these seasons and distance from peace. Yet here’s where my confession comes in….I relate to you wholeheartedly. If I were to unfurl the knotted pieces of my strings, that seemingly lead to nowhere, yet occupy my toil and attempt at deciphering, you would most likely see a woman who is enormously unfinished and see how “limbo-dwelling” I’ve resigned myself to.
But God does not desire my address to be in-between.
My dreams, truthfully enough, are the culmination of what you’ve seemed to accomplish. To write, to surround myself in the beauty of others’ creativity, to encourage sisters and brothers daily in the love God pours over them in his gorgeous generosity. And so to hear that you are still wrapped in flesh, and walking through this “in-between” again….it gives me a surprise, yet I believe a vital reminder that GOD is MY ONLY SUSTAINER. Achieving the dreams I have (which I believe are even God’s dreams for me in some fashion, since He’s done so much to lead me toward them) should NOT be my finish line. For I am made of a beating heart, feeble bones, and weak flesh. Nothing can fill my leaky self but the Everlasting Source of Life. And you sister, are reminding me of that.
I cannot tell you what that means to me. I sat with my tea this morning, opened my browser where my home page is set to (in)courage, and read the thoughts of my very self, in an amazing woman who is confessing, herself, that she stays a little empty so God can remind her He is the only nourishment that will satisfy. Not achieving a dream – however God-driven it is. He alone should be our prize. The one for which we buffet our bodies, train our wills, empty our hearts and proclaim from the rooftops.
I’m sorry I was so long-winded here. You’ve given me so much to chew on and I thought I must confess how I envied you at first. My flesh, too, longs after the wrong things sometimes. And I believe He brings me to valleys of discontent and sometimes uncomfortable pathways so that I may redirect my search towards He who fashioned me, to He who has never turned from me.
So yes, I relate to you. We are members of one Body. This morning I am increasingly thankful you shared the truth in your life, helping me look at Truth as well.
Rebekah says
Stephanie, I can totally relate, and I thank you for being real and sharing your heart. What you said about never being “content” in your circumstances but being “content” in HIM is exactly what life is about, and exactly what I needed to hear this morning.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ ” Lamentations 3:22-24
Stacey says
First of all, I love that you are a verbal processor!
2nd of all, how blessed for you to have a friend who gets you thinking and excited to chase after God sized dreams!
And 3rd, I’ve seen what God does when you let Him dream for you, and you chase after it! I can’t wait to see what is around that corner!
Praying for you Stephanie!
Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE says
Am I the only one who’s going to make a CITIZEN’S ARREST?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???? Shame, shame, SHAME on you! This makes texting while driving seem like child’s play!
Ok…enough of the admonishment and finger shaking, because I just saw THREE pointing back at ME dang it :).
You were siphoning from my brain, Steph…and from the sound of comments already, I can tell these words are for many :). It blesses my weary heart to hear someone speak the truths of God in a way that lets me know I’m not the only one (thank you).
Love your first vlog, but next time? Film it from a parked car!! Because I LOVE you ALIVE!!
xo
wendy says
I’m going to have to agree… cell phone/driving laws are a big deal where I live and this totally dangerous activity, along with joking “breaking the law for you!” was distracting from your message. I know you meant no harm, but a safer, more legal forum would be more comfortable to watch! <3
Suzanne says
In a recent “wrestling” with God experience, God spoke to me through a greeting card I found in a Mom and Pop grocery story 50 minutes from my home. Never seen it anywhere since. Since it was written by Roy Lessin, a Dayspring co-founder, I thought it was okay to quote the message from the card. 🙂
“Because God is Almighty, we have been set free from thinking that we need to manipulate circumstances, maneuver people, manufacture resources, or move ahead of God in order to bring to pass what He has for our lives. God has everything that is needed to see that it is done. He will do it perfectly, in the perfect way, at the perfect time. When we let Him bring to us what He has for us, we can receive it freely and enjoy it fully.” Inside of the card reads “God has never failed and He will not fail you now.” ” ‘He has done everything well’…” Mark 7:37 NIV
Stephanie – what you said in your video blog I struggle with all the time. And the message every time I get, is God is enough, like you said. I am learning to live in the moment, trust that God is in control ALL the time, despite my judgment, and to focus on Him, not me! Some days I am better at it than others but with each day my joy, peace and love for my God keeps growing – praise God! Thank you for this incredible website called incourage.me. All of you who share your joys, concerns and walk so beautifully and honestly have graced me beyond words.
Tina says
I can TOTALLY relate!! It’s SO nice to know you are not alone.
Anne says
Your comment about landing and settling… I’ve been wondering myself if it’s just not possible here, in this world. I find myself always longing. I AM able to be content in all circumstances (well, ok, MOST circumstances) but still this longing. I think it’s a longing that won’t go away until I am in Jesus’ presence. I think that’s where we need to get to – an understanding that we are aliens in this world and that nothing here will satisfy our souls, but that it is coming.
They say the only thing constant is change. My life certainly reflects that. I’m growing closer to the place of being able to be mostly content with the understanding that my longings will never be fulfilled here. That as long as I am here in this broken world, God and His word is what I must cling to for peace.
Love your post!
Kristina says
Thanks for breaking the law this for me. 😉 This is what I needed to hear this morning! I love how God leads me where I need to be daily and the song that’s playing right now “Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves us…”
I just want to do what God has planned for me and right now I feel He is silent. I love Holley’s idea of God wanting us to run after to Him.
Anna says
Wow, I can hardly comprehend how timely this post is for me. I have been having this stirring in me for some time. Trying to figure out what dreams are self created and what are God’s dreams for me. I can tell you this, it has often led me into places- that are by the world’s standard.. not safe at all. His adventures have led me around the world and back again. However, His last adventure has left me a little shell shocked..O.K , a whole bunch. I want to move beyond my bruised heart and dissapointment with all “I thought my life would look like” and learn to embrace and not just tolerate my circumstances. I have often heard people say,”God won’t give you more than you can handle”–However, I think that is what He aims to do in my life. To make me completly dependant on Him. I do feel like He is silent right now and I want to resolve to not run away in fear and self protection. Thanks again! Funny that it ministers to me so much to think….maybe I am not crazy!lol
Dawn says
Anna,
So true….I get just exactly what you are saying!
Holley Gerth says
Love, love, love dreaming with our great big God and YOU.
Mela Kamin says
love that! running after Him to find the adventure He planned for you – so great! I do believe, as you do, that we’ll probably have a continual longing for a sense of doneness or complete contentment … that won’t really be realized until we’re sitting at His feet when our day comes. Until then, we ask and seek and listen and marvel & as long as we’re keeping Him our focus and our prize, and not standing still, we’re moving in His direction and becoming more of the women He created us to be.
Dawn says
I find myself in a similar situation. Thank you for sharing this…
And by the way, I talk to myself in the car all the time. So, you doing the vlog while driving, isn’t all that much different:)
Rachel says
Thanks for being real. I am in the midst of two God-sized adventures/dreams on the brink of becoming reality. It has been such a roller-coaster ride to say the least. Although I know with every fiber of my being that this is where I am supposed to be, I still get weary. Just today I was wishing for comfortable again and longing to forego the risky like I am prone to do. But then where would my utter dependence on God be? He has become so much more real to me in the midst of all this that I know He is working and going to make something beautiful out of my sloppy. So I guess what I am trying to say is thanks for the push to keep going. I am clinging to 1 Thessalonians 5:24: The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. I am so thankful that it’s not about me but all about HIM.
Katie @ Imperfect People says
Love the video! Helps us to get to know you better! Also loving the deep thoughts in the car 🙂
Joyous says
Wow, this is completely relevant to me right now. I too feel like I’m not sure where I’m going to “land” as you said. It’s hard to be in that waiting phase. I never thought of God using it/His silence as a way to get me running after him though~interesting idea. Thanks for the video–some of my best ideas come while I’m driving!
Galen Pearl says
Thank you for calling my attention to that verse in Isaiah. I find so much inspiration in this book. Here is one of my favorites for times of change. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19. I love this verse because God sounds full of wonder like a child. “Hey, look at what I can do! This is so cool!”
Reese says
I am feeling ya, Stephanie. Thankfully, behind each sunset is a sunrise; and, each sunset has it’s own suprises and adventures. I am praying for you; I pray for discernment, specifically.
xo
Noelle Ulman says
Amazing how much I can relate to where you are. Thank you for posting this and saying out loud what is in my heart. “Sometimes God steps back so that we will run after Him”.
Faran says
Very timely for me, Stephanie. I am about to step into a motorcycle ministry adventure that I never imagined. I’m nervous and wondering what the heck this is all about. And yet the Lord has totally orchestrated the circumstances (down to winning a Can-Am Spyder and meeting total strangers in LA this weekend). I am His Ambassador in all this and I needed the reminder that my job is to run to Him, not to the adventure. Frankly, parts of this adventure are scary!
Love your heart, my friend!