“Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”
~ Maya Angelou
I woke up this morning, my heart stilted in a fog, overthinking an impending decision.
So, I drove out to see the ocean.
As each wave tumbled onto the sand like spring blossoms blown across a meadow, God’s reassuring peace and love washed over my troubled soul — and it somehow became clear to me, as I walked and watched the cleansing tide smooth the wet shore:
Don’t choose the step that you think would lead you to more clarity.
Don’t think who would love you more for which choice.
Choose what God has quietly whispered onto your heart.
Small and fragile, but beautiful to you. Maybe only you.
Be the little girl who only holds one thing in her hand: His hand.
Be the beloved.
Then, my soul exhaled and I smiled again, as the sun sparkled in my heart once more.
Walking by faith is the harder choice, but it’s the only choice to feel alive again.
“Behold, I am making all things new.” {Revelations 21:5}
Dare To Be New
Dear friends, what are some new things God is encouraging you to try or inspiring your heart to step into?
As I prepare to step out into some new beginnings, to dare to actually be God’s beloved, I find that I can go from inspired to discouraged easily.
Jesus always shows me just one next step. But, I become discouraged if try to figure out how things are going to end up — where one step today will lead. That’s when a simple idea suddenly becomes overwrought with worry and then, those worries choke the joy out of the idea.
And I end up doing nothing at all.
Because when we actually step out to be who God’s created us to be, we become vulnerable to the critical voices that once kept us safe — but left us unchanged. To avoid hurt or uncertainty.
But, I’m learning to follow Jesus with my heart. And because this is a new journey, it’s okay to feel insecure and doubt because it only means we are taking our first steps to living in a new way.
A New Way
You don’t have to wait until you’re completely new. To be you.
You don’t have to wait until you are free of doubt. In order to step into the light. To be seen.
You don’t have to try so hard. To understand everything.
You only need to be loved.
God’s calling us to a new way of living. He invites us to walk by faith.
Don’t Wait
Take just one step God’s whispered on your heart.
Especially if you don’t know what it will lead to, gather your courage and breathe with a smile, friend.
You’re standing in the perfect place called faith — with one hand in Jesus’ and your heart freed up by the Voice of Love.
God is making all things new — in you. As is.
Don’t wait.
Step out. Be new.
Be the Beloved. Today.
A Prayer for Today
Dear Jesus,
Your love reaches to the heavens.
Now help me to reach for Your hand.
I don’t want to stay here, in fear of the unknown.
I don’t want to choose clarity over the new journey
You’re inviting me to experience with You.
I choose to be the beloved. Your beloved.
I choose to be Your little girl,
holding nothing but Your hand today.
I choose You.
Amen.
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness to the skies.” {Psalm 36:5}
Pull up a chair. How is Jesus calling you to step out in a new way today?
by Bonnie Gray, the Faith Barista, author of Finding Spiritual Whitespace, serving encouragement for your soul and rest for your journey.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Bonnie,
Thank you for a beautiful post and prayer. If I could ask my (in) courage friends to pray for me and my family…especially my son. I’ve been up all night and we will be taking our sweet Zoe bear to be put to sleep this morning. She’s been truly my son’s dog and such a glimpse, for our family, of God’s unconditional love. I will truly miss my sweet, gentle, girl.
Thanks and blessings,
Bev
Sarah says
Praying for you and everyone involved.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
thank you xx
Penny says
Bev,
I pray for peace and comfort for Zoe, you and your family and an extra one for your son. I understand how heartbreaking it can be to lose a beloved companion.
Prayers and blessings to you all,
Penny
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Penny, you are such a sweetheart…thank you!! xo
An says
Oh Bev, I’m sorry. May the Lord tenderly embrace you and your family in His comforting arms in the days to come.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
An, thankyou and God bless you. xx
JeanneTakenaka says
I’m sorry, Bev. I’m praying now for your family.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks for the prayers, Jeanne…we feel your prayers! xx
Bonnie Gray says
@bevduncan:disqus whispered a prayer for you: dear Jesus, please help Bev’s son in the way he needs most in this very moment – reassure Bev as she walks with her son on this journey – and pray for this family as they remember and grieve saying goodbye to their beloved dog. in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks Bonnie…xx
Beth Williams says
Bev,
Prayers for peace and contentment! I know you will miss Zoe Bear and his love for you! May God surround you with His loving arms and shower you with His grace and mercy!
Blessings 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks Beth…so comforting to know that someone cares!! xx
Donna says
THIS is wonderful! Hallelujah HE is exalted, 1 step at a time….
Bonnie Gray says
thnx for visiting together, Donna!
Katie Scott Randolph says
Thank you friend! This week has been an overwhelming week. It has helped to hear this reminder.
Bonnie Gray says
@katiescottrandolph:disqus so sorry it’s been a tough one. may God comfort and encourage you right where you are. (hugs)
Penny says
Bonnie,
Thank-you for your post, as always it really touched my heart. Everything lately brings me back to this: “Behold I am making all things new.” It can be hard waiting on what new will be but, “by walking in trust and faith,” it makes it all worth it.
have a blessed day,
Penny
Bonnie Gray says
hi penny, i touches my heart to know the words speak to your heart today. how wonderful God’s whispers are returning you to his words – He is making all things new. blessings!
Beth Williams says
Penny,
Prayers for you as you wait on God and His perfect timing! May He show you the plans He has for you. Keep walking in faith and trust Him to make all things new!!
Blessings 🙂
An says
I thank the Lord and you, Bonnie, for this lovely posting. Stepping out into His will frightening sometimes, but He has equipped us with His gift of faith. I am there with you, trying to step out in faith for Him. Mother Angelica said “Faith is like having one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy stomach in between.” Trying hard to listen to Him in my heart today. May each of us be attentive to His still voice in our hearts, leading us gently in faith 🙂
Bonnie Gray says
@disqus_HnV3z0p6yB:disqus what beautiful whispers God is placing on your heart – you have such a listening soul!
Jen says
oh, how this spoke to me today! I have an opportunity to pursue a new job – one that was laid at my feet, unexpectedly. If this is God’s path for me, I need to know, so that I can step into it in faith!
Thank you for sharing today – a beautiful message.
Bonnie Gray says
@disqus_ivzWSqfsAd:disqus dear God, please continue to bless and grant Jen favor as she pursues a new job. thankful she can share it with us. in Jesus’ name, amen.
JeanneTakenaka says
Beautiful post, Bonnie. I’ve let fear determine my lack of stepping out before. This year has already been a year where God is calling me into harder things, but He’s also working healing . . . which will only come about if I step out in the ways He’s showing me. Some days, it’s SCARY. Thank goodness He walks each step with us.
Your post made me stop and think. Thank you for that.
Bonnie Gray says
@JeanneTakenaka:disqus so good to “see” you here, Jeanne! it does feel scary – that the healing comes with stepping out. 😉 so beautiful how God is always patient and it sounds like his whispers to you are continuing to carry you and invite you forward. 😉 thanks for sharing!
Chris says
Bonnie…thank you for your insights and prayers. What you write always touches me and makes me think. It is frightening to reach out and seek something new in our lives but we need remember that Jesus is by our side always. He knows the way we should go. He leads us on the right path.
Bonnie Gray says
hi chris, thank you for sharing how the words today are speaking to you. Jesus is so kind, always patient however we feel, right where we’re at. blessings!
Allison Whing says
Just one step. And then another. I’m also learning this too. I want to know the end but I’m learning to walk by faith and trusting God for the rest. A journey to be sure!
Bonnie Gray says
@allisonwhing:disqus one step together today.. thnx for sharing, allison. May God give your heart wings with each step you’re making!
Rebecca Jones says
I love your prayer, especially walking by Him as the beloved. It took me to long to learn that, but I have stepped out on faith writing my blog encouraging women. We all need to be lifted up.
Bonnie Gray says
@disqus_axnEkREhjA:disqus isn’t “beloved” such a beautiful word. so wonderful you’re stepping out beloved with your blog. may God bless your heart and may the words flow!
Andrea Mitchell says
I just finished praying about some new steps, and then came here to read this post. This was so timely. I’m so prone to this: “Because when we actually step out to be who God’s created us to be, we
become vulnerable to the critical voices that once kept us safe — but
left us unchanged. To avoid hurt or uncertainty.” To take that little step of faith requires a great deal of bravery, and yet maybe not so much, if we can keep our eyes fixed on Him and our hands in His. Thank you for this encouragement today!
Bonnie Gray says
@andrea_mitchell:disqus andrea! thatis so wonderful — His hands are guiding yours – walking with you to new steps ahead. go for it! let your heart shine, like the stars in God’s eyes. Your voice matters. You matter.
kimberly says
I am critical in my spirit because of the hurt I have experienced in my life. It has changed my perspective on reality and people. I do not trust so easily anymore and sadly even those in the church. I pray that God would begin to do something new in my heart by giving me a new perspective on life.
Jessie says
I asked my husband to leave after a tumultuous 23 years of marriage and his inability to leave a young married woman alone. I have battled depression for years while trying hard to be the perfect woman my husband wanted me to be. I failed at that because for the last couple of years he has grown closer and closer to a young married woman at his workplace and their relationship is destroying me. I have realized I can’t be who my husband wants me to be because I am who God created me to be. After raising six kids together and dedicating more than half of my life to loving my husband I am stepping out in faith that God will see me through this. He is with me so there is nothing to fear. It is hard. Having and keeping faith when your heart is breaking not only for your pain, but the pain of your children and the pain of seeing someone you love do something that you know they will regret eventually. Please pray for me, my husband and my family.
Beth Williams says
Jessie,
Prayers for you and your children. May God give you a sense of peace and contentment. May you feel His loving arms guiding you each step of the way!! Know that He has plans for you-plans to prosper you and not to harm you. He will make a way for you in His perfect timing!
(((((hugs)))))
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
Thank you for the lovely prayer! God allowed me to quit my job last June. I thought by now that I would be working again-if even part time. My aging dad had more health issues and it has taken time to get him settled. God is asking me to walk by faith and trust that He will supply all our “needs” according to His riches in glory!
Blessings 🙂