Time After Time

Isaiah 60:22 "When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen."

Timing is a funny thing, isn't it? It can make or break relationships, change the choices we make, and influence the way we live our day to day lives. It's something we all covet and want more of, and there are a million books telling us how to "maximise it"; so doesn't it make sense as to why we have such a hard time letting go it? That time after time, we struggle to give over the limited control we have over our time, to the Lord, to do with it what He sees fit?

In the almost six months that I have had this blog up and running, I have tried to make a post at least once a week, and through all that time, I have never really elaborated on what my writing process is. Now, I would like to share it with you: each week, during my quiet time, I pray for the Lord to give me a message for the week, regardless of whether it pertains to me, my friends, or my family. These messages have came everywhere from the Bible, to worship songs, to random little moments in my week. As soon as I have the idea, I begin writing in my notes all that I can. Usually, it's just very scattered fragments of thoughts, but miraculously, by Friday morning it is a complete message. When I sit down to write a post, I review my notes, say a quick prayer, and go to work. Half the time, I end up writing something that is different than what I intended, but still feels right. I review my post, praying for peace that this is a message worth sharing and that my words will reach somebody, and then I send it off to you.

Lately, the writing process has not been as cut and dry as it once was, and that's not a bad thing. You all have seen my work, it's sporadic instead of consistent, and that is because I will only write when the Lord gives me the confirmation to. I vowed when I started this blog that I would not write just to write, I have other creative outlets for that, I do this so that I can share Jesus with people through an outlet that I have been gifted in. That being said, my messages have been a little more scattered lately, and I am... thankful for it. DUN DUN DUN! I am thankful for the scattering because it means my life is growing and changing in a beautiful way, that I have long since been praying for!

Which leads me to this: it's okay to wait on the Lord. It's alright to just sit in the season you're in, even if the season is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Because truthfully, I think that that's why my messages have been so random. My inner type-A liked having something to post consistently. I loved constantly having a message to share. But I feel the need to also share that I have been praying for the Lord to teach me more about surrendering this year. My ego has always been one of my biggest hang ups when it comes to a relationship with the Lord and other people, and in recent years it has been heavy on my heart to put aside my desires, my emotions, my ego, and allow the Lord to fill in those places. And, much to my discomfort, that includes surrendering my messages to the Lord.

Lately, I've gotten frustrated when I sit down on a Friday night to write a blog post and nothing comes out, because that's when I want to write something. This morning I woke up with the concept of surrender in my head, because that's what I'm working on in all facets of my life. But when I sat down to write, the words wouldn't come out! I was scattered and confused, and asking God, "why won't you just let me write a message about surrendering now? Why do I have to wait?", and that's when God hit me with the massive truth-bomb that that's what surrendering is: putting the Lord's desires, above my own, in all areas of life.

I laugh now, thinking that a blog I gave over to the Lord in the beginning, would work on my timeline, because the reality is the Lord is teaching me that He will provide me with His message in His timing.

I praise Him for the realisation of this, because it is an answered prayer for growth, that gives me a whole new appreciation for the fact that whether I'm inspired on a Friday night, the middle of a Saturday, or three weeks later, it is still the Lord's special way of teaching me more about surrendering!

I wanted to be passionate in my pursuit of the Lord, with the intention of being purposeful with my words, because the Bible tells us in Proverbs 12:18 that "the words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing", we know that our words have power and that we should use them wisely! So, I want to encourage you just as I did in last week's post, to embrace the season you're in, no matter how unfamiliar it is to you. There's a worship song that I love that says, "I know I'm praying to a God who listens" and that is true! When we ask for God to grow in us a certain attribute or experience, He takes us straight into that, in the way that He sees fit, even if that's different than what we plan for. My blog is an obvious example: when I sat down and surrendered my writing to the Lord, He showed me very quickly that His plan was going to be a little different than what I had in mind, and in that respect, so much better!

This is not my most poetic or flowery post, but it is my attempt at being honest with you all, and giving a little insight into the last few months of posting. Welcome to life behind Oz's metaphorical curtain: I'm just a girl, who really likes words, trying to pursue the Creator of the Universe and grow in my walk with Him.

Ultimately, I would love to make consistent posts on Fridays for you all as the school year starts back up, but my first priority lies with letting the Lord lead my way and simply being a vessel, no matter when that timing is.

So, I dare you - join me and try it yourself: do the thing that scares you! Ask the Lord to work on that part of you that you're holding back, because even if you experience a moment of discomfort, the spiritual reward is unbeatable because the Lord's plan will always be better (Proverbs 16:9)!

To trusting in His timing and celebrating the surrender...

-Emma

"Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."