Day 1 – 40 Days Deep

The Goal:
I want to dedicate the next 40 days to genuinely seeking God. I want to deepen my relationship with the Holy Spirit and be able to better discern what this next phase of my life is meant to be. I want to specifically spend the next three weeks fasting and seeking God because I will be experiencing the most change during this time. From moving away from home to adjusting to being in a new city and then beginning the first few days of my new job. But not only will I be experiencing physical change, I know I will be battling with a whirlwind of emotions that comes with transition. To be best equipped to handle whatever comes my way, I want to commit this period to study His word and hearing His voice.

I will be studying “ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional” on the YouVersion Bible App.

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“Which Road Am I On?”

Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but its end is the way of death.”

I’ll be honest. I am the happiest and most confident when I feel as if I am in control of my current situation or environment. When I can dictate what is going on around me and able to plan out what’s ahead of me, I feel at peace.

But let things start to turn in another direction, or the path ahead gets a little blurry. In those moments, I feel as if the world is falling apart.

So, this current place in my life has caused me to feel as if I’m stuck at a road with endless diverging pathways and possibilities.

As a recent graduate of THE Howard University, I find myself in such an awkward phase that most college grads come to after achieving such a fantastic accomplishment.

The moment of “What Now?”

After being able to explore who I wanted to be for me in an environment that still provided me some structure and stability, I am now faced with the endless possibility that is adulthood.

Beginning this brand-new part of my life, I have been in a constant battle of longing for the security of a plan while facing the uncertainty of being thrust into the “Real World.”

So, to ease some of the stress, I began to create a roadmap based on what I thought was the best route for maneuvering this transition. I mapped out my career plans, how I wanted to maintain my relationships, and how I would handle my newfound independence.

But in the middle of my planning, I had begun to hear a single message from the Holy Spirit. “Wait.”

I won’t lie to you, at that moment I was a little taken aback.

After years of battling with what I thought I wanted to do with my life and career all throughout high school and college and to finally realize what I wanted, I’m told I need to wait even more? But that’s just on my makeshift plans.

Waiting seems even more impossible when I look at my current situation. In a matter of days, I have to move completely across the country. I don’t have the resources that would help make the transition smooth. I have to say goodbye to all my friends and family. I am entering into a career field I love but have minimal experience in. Now is the time to jump into action. Now is the time to move!

But I kept hearing Him say to me over and over, “Wait on Me.”

I heard it like a whisper in my ear. I was told prophetically by my best friend and line sister’s Aunt. I heard it in a message from a visiting pastor at my home church. I read it in a devotional I was studying with a close friend. Just the constant news of “wait.”

In spite of my own wants and desires to move right into action, I received the message and began to pray and ask that God would give me a fresh eye to see what He wants me to see and new ears to hear exactly what I need to hear from Him.

And guess what? He did just that.

I began to hear the Holy Spirit speak to me about different areas in my life were waiting on making a move would be the most beneficial to achieving the purpose placed on my life. I began to allow the Holy Spirit to touch my heart and my mind that I would learn to be patient and not rush things just because I want them right at this moment.

When God asks us to wait on Him to move in our lives or to give us what we need, He’s really asking us to trust that everything is under His control. Trust that he will supply all of our needs.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear you [your voice], and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you, and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (AMP) reassures us of this promise

God’s plan for our lives is far better than any idea, road map, or strategy we could ever create for ourselves. His plan is never to harm us or take us out. God ultimately wants to give us everything we desire that aligns in His will. He wants us to be blessed and achieve all that we are called to do.

We just have to be willing to give up what we think is the right thing for ourselves to receive what He knows is the ultimate best thing. And after receiving His best, you’ll find that you love His plan far more than the one you started with.

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also, and He will do it. He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light, And your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun]. Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:3-7 AMP

So, I challenge you, as I’m challenging myself, to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Allow Him to order your steps so that you may walk into your purpose. You don’t have to experience significant life changes to seek His guidance. You can ask Him to guide you throughout your day and watch as He leads you to the desires of your heart.