See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19
At the ripe old age of 40, I found myself pondering the thought “what was the new and next thing for me?”. I wasn’t sure about what God had next, because my life at that point was beginning to change. Things and circumstance that I had depended on had changed or were no longer existent. And eventually I had to catch up with the changes. At that point, I was left wondering, “God, what’s next for me?”. But before I could find that out, I had to figure out what could be holding me back.
Holding on to the past
One of the reasons why you may not be experiencing the new and next thing is because you are holding on to the past. We get stuck in old dreams, goals and expectations. For me, I had to let go of the notion that I had to be married and have children by a certain age. Once I released myself from that I felt so much freer, happier…and most importantly, whole. I was then open to the new thing God had for me.
I realized that I would never experience the “new” thing, until I released the “old” thing.
So, instead of being consumed with what should have been, I began to focus on what was happening in that moment – which was the voice of God urging me to follow Him.
Fear of Change
New means change. If you say are ready for what’s next and new, you are ALSO saying you are open to change. Unfortunately, change can also breed fear and fear that is allowed to linger for too long will become paralysis. The easiest and most comfortable thing to do is NOT change…to keep up the status quo. Fear will keep you bound in the same place for years. It will have you living aimlessly outside of the will of God.
We were not given a spirit of fear, we have been given the spirit of power…a power that overcomes all fear. As a Christ-follower, you agreed to live a fulfilling yet uncomfortable life.
I love how the Amplified Bible breaks down Luke 9:23 when Jesus says “…If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].”
There is no need to be afraid of the new thing, Christ only asks that you deny the fear and follow Him on the path to purpose.
Uncertainty
Not having clarity or certainty about what the next thing is can be confusing. When you don’t know what you should do or where you should go, you can find yourself stuck in the same place for longer than you had anticipated. The reality is that there’s no doubt that God allows things in our lives that can be extremely confusing.
One of my very close friend’s and her husband had prayed about having another baby. Though they initially were on the fence about it, they proceeded because they believed that they had heard a confirming word from the Lord. Shortly after, they were excited that they had become pregnant with their second child.
A few months later, one morning, I received a call from her, I had never heard her in such despair…she was inconsolable. Through her sobs she told me that she was in the hospital because…she had lost the baby.
The period after was a very dark, confusing and uncertain…she was having trouble understanding why God would call her to have another child and then take the child away.
She’s one of the most faithful people that I know. She speaks favor over her life and always has an encouraging Word for me when I need one…but even her faith was shaken. Though she was uncertain, she remained obedient. She listened to the Holy Spirit when He told her to allow her son to wear a t-shirt that says “I’m a big brother” knowing in fact that she was not pregnant and wasn’t sure when she would be. The issue for her wasn’t about whether or not she would have another baby or if she heard right or wrong from God…the issue here is was obedience.
This taught me that in our uncertainty that we must choose obedience. The “new and next thing” in life requires that we follow and adhere to the will of God wherever it takes us. Our obedience is what glorifies God, especially when we’re uncertain.
The New & Next Thing that God has for you is waiting on the other side of your past, your fear, your uncertainty. To begin to experience the GreatBIG Life that He has for you – focus on the goodness He has right now for you, building your faith in Him and exercising obedience regardless of the circumstances.
Are you in a transitional period in your life? What has been like for you? What is God saying to you in the season? I’d love to know your thoughts!
I’m a self-professed word nerd and one thing you said stands out to me amid all the other truth here… Our obedience glorifies God. Did you know that the word glorify shares roots with obey. Crazy! We can’t glorify God if we aren’t obeying Him. So when He calls us to the next thing, we best go! Thanks for this inspiration!
Wow Liz! No I did NOT know that glorify and obey have the same root but I am going to check it out! Also, I didn’t know that “Word Nerd” was a thing but I think I might be one too! LOL…thanks for stopping by!
I’ve homeschooled my kids for 20 years and in a couple of years that season will be over as i graduate my youngest in 2020. It’s still a little bit away, but I can see a transition coming and i’ve begun to ask God the same questions you pose here. I think that fear is a big question… not so much fear of what’s next, but fear of not hearing God correctly or making a mistake. I’m excited about the new season coming, but also am uneasy at the prospect of the transition. thanks for your post
I’ve been there and cycle back around to that same thought Karen…Hoping I’m hearing correctly from God…What I trust is that God will always correct my decisions and reroute my path if need be. I pray that you continue following His guidance and listening for His voice. Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
Don’t worry Karen.
Even if you didn’t hear right, but you believe you did, so you do it: Its never a mistake that God can’t use to bring you closer to your purpose!
If you are wholeheartedly willing to fulfill God’s purpose for you, where you think He leads you, there you go. He will bring you back on track again in case you misunderstood.
Everything God will use for your good. So everything you do for Him, even when it exploded in your face, He will form you and draw you closer to Him.
That should also teach you not to regret time “wasted”.
I’m curious how God will use my note in your heart. I wish you inner peace, acceptance, wisdom and strength in Jesus name 🙂
I’m in a season now where all my children are grown, though 2 still live at home. I’m also a grandmother of 14 so have a busy life. But I know what change is like. Sometimes it’s easy to follow His leading and sometimes it’s not clear. But I do know that He can be trusted and is faithful, so I keep doing what I’m doing unless He shows me something different. It was about 4 years ago when I knew He was leading me in the direction of writing and I’m continuing to pursue that trying to glorify Him in the process.
Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #TuneInThursday
Hi Gayl! It’s so good to know that He can be trusted no matter what season we’re in! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh man, this is a question that I am constantly asking. I still have three more years – including this school year – at home with my kids but then they will all be in school full time and my days as a stay at home mom could be over. What do I do then? I keep praying that God will confirm where I feel Him leading me and keep me focused to complete each step along the way. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Neca!
Hi Katie, I know God will lead you in the right direction as long as you keep focused on Him! Thanks for sharing!
He hears your prayers. You can trust Him to lead you into your purpose. Could be a short or a long journey, but He will lead your purpose. And he will shape you to grow into it. I wish you hope, faith, peace and wisdom! 🙂
Hi Neca, I have so enjoyed your blog. I am a subscriber, and I follow you on Pinterest. I was nominated for the Leibster Award, and now I would like to nominate you. In fact, I have enjoyed your blog so much that I decided to feature you in the Leibster post as one of my favorite bloggers. You can check it out and get more details about what to do when you are nominated at https://www.mindfulnessinfaithandfood.com/another-award/
Wow, Lacy!!!! Thank you for your kind words and nomination! I’m completely humbled and yet honored. I only started this blog a few months ago because it was what God required of me (not of my own volition…LOL!) so to be nominated is God saying…”See, I told ya…just stick with me kid and you’ll go places!” I just checked out your blog and I will DEFINITELY be taking the self assessment! Thanks again!!!
Excellently well said! There are so many things that are holding us back! It’s up to us to accept them or not!
Amen Silvia! Thanks for stopping by!
Most welcome my dear 🙂 Good to be here!
None of the above…. open, eager, but still waiting. I think God is still preparing me. But for what? Maybe I already live my purpose and maybe His grace is sufficient for my life. Maybe I’m not on the waiting list for doing greater things. Maybe who I am now, is His purpose.
Bless you all xxx
God will definitely reveal where you are now as you continue to seek Him. Thanks for stopping by, Anne!
I’m in the process of projects being closed down, so am facing Changes in my life and call. What do you do when your supervisors and colleagues let you down-? I’ve asked for guidance but received none. It’s like I’ve invisible..
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Hi Diane! You’re never invisible to God…I’m not sure of what He’s doing in this situation, however, we’re never invisible to God. When I feel like I can’t hear from God, usually it’s because I have too many other voices going on in my head. I’m praying that you will hear from God and feel His presence more and more every day. God bless you!
Hi Neca, Thank you for this post. I am in an unexpected transition period. Honestly, I am scared and very uncertain. I have recently lost my job. I was an elderly care giver for the past four years to a man that passed away a couple of weeks ago. Both of my teenage boys are starting college this August after being home-schooled most of their life. I am at a cross-roads and it is getting the better of me. I have been attending college online for a new degree, but I have two more years to go. What do I do now? God has laid it on my heart to start a blog, but I have no knowledge of how or where to start. My mind is drawn to where the money will come from. However, God keeps saying it’s not about the money but the people.Your post shows me where I am going wrong. I will stop being scared, pursue God and let Him lead me out of uncertainty. Thank you again for your words of wisdom.
Amen Susan! God may teaching what it is to completely and fully rely on Him! That can be a scary place to be from our human sense…but in the Kingdom of God it is right where you are meant to be. Keep moving toward God in all you do! Thanks for stopping by!
I feel like you wrote this for my heart! I am in a major season of transition… I’ve owned a business for 10 years (in June) and both of my kids will be in school full time (starting in August) my business is not my passion… but the relationships and lessons I have learned while owning it has definitely lined me up for the next season…. I am so ready to let go of the fear and trust the uncertainly… you my friend have inspired me and encouraged me to know that God is behind it all! Thank you! Now off to PRAY! ❤️
Amen Paula! Keep moving forward toward the GreatBIG life He has called you to!