Moving On

This past weekend our youngest son moved to Philadelphia for a new job within his company.  Wally and I accompanied him on the long trek north from Charlotte, driving his car behind the truck he rented to transport all his belongings. Even though he’s well familiar with the city due to many trips there for work already and excited about this new chapter of life, my heart has been upside down as we’ve anticipated his move.

I wanted to follow the sign as we pulled out of his neighborhood. I wanted to STOP. I wanted him to STOP. Return to the familiar . . . the known community . . . the good and fruitful life God had blessed him with in Charlotte.

This is the way of the human heart- to resist the end of something. I heard Beth Moore on the radio, speaking to this very thing- actually as Wally and I drove to Charlotte to meet Graham for the move. That because God has put eternity in the hearts of man (Ecclesiastes 3:11), perhaps we have a tendency to resist change . . . to see things end, especially good and fruitful seasons. There’s something about it that seems unnatural to us- because of that forever spot created in us by God so that we would seek Him- the eternal one!

And yet from the beginning God has called his people to move. . . to change!

In Genesis 12, he tells Abram to “leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” 

In Isaiah 43, he says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

The immutable, unchangeable God who is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)  does new work in us and through us as He continues to shape and mold us into the image of his son.

Even as we desire to go with Him . . . participate with Him . . . in his work- we have the mistaken belief that we should be at ease and comfortable and sure all along the way.

But that is not how it is with God-

Faith and courage are required . . . a dying to self and the desire for comfort and familiarity.

Hebrews 11 credits Abraham for his faith to obey and go- to a place he did not know and believe in a promise he would only see from a distance; this was credited to him as righteousness- He believed God and was willing to go!

This is why my heart is so mixed up and turned over around Graham’s new address and  season- I’m excited that he is going with God- that he’s confident and expectant of good things ahead; he’s capable and prepared, and God has already surrounded him with Christian roommates who were ready with a life group to unload the truck when we arrived and fed our weary souls with gracious hospitality and welcome.

As I left him on his new front stoop, I heard God calling me as well . . .

It’s time to go . . .  move on and trust God with a new season for Graham. It’s time to pray and know that God has got this- he’s present and working.

To keep my mind and heart rightly lined up with God, I’m adding two PICs back to my notebook, which is getting very thick and heavy with cards by the way. I’m thinking God is smiling at me with my cards falling out all over the place and saying, “This is just how I roll, and I’m glad you’re along for the journey.” He doesn’t judge me for needing so much armor in my travel bag- he’s pleased I want to join Him- moving on in my walk with Him- I’ll be praying!

Are you facing a challenge or difficulty that tends to make you more anxious than secure . . . more unknown than known?

Philippians 4:6-7 and Romans 8:28 are excellent prayer armor to add to your bag as you move on with God! Write these scriptures and keep a record of your prayers. As I pulled them out of my file, I was reminded that I had prayed them over Katie as she moved to Atlanta and over Taylor as he started residency in Chattanooga. Now that I’m praying them again over a new season of change, my confidence and faith are stronger because I see the evidence of answers in my rearview!

Won’t you join me? Let’s join God- He’s moving on!