Limiting God

I used to believe that God only really worked a certain way. That God didn't speak through prophetic word, heal through people or raise people from the dead. I believed that God is an unchanging God. That He worked one way in the past, and now only works in one way.

Then God whispered.
He stirred.
He brought books and people into my life to challenge that thought.

*Books like, "The Heavenly Man"- the story of Brother Yun.
*Friends who train underground pastors in China who say over a cup of coffee "Shauna, you know God still raises people from the dead, right?"
*Friends who while praying for others have visions or pictures when praying over someone.

So slowly, in the course of a few years, God has stirred and moved and showed Himself to me [and of course others] in a way I never thought possible.

And one of those moments was recently.

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When I sensed God stirring and moving me to Atlanta, He reminded me often in those days (and to quote Matt Chandler), "God gives His command, you obey in faith, and then God will show Himself."

So I did.

I knew I was to tell my roommate God was moving me to Atlanta. Now, I was terrified.... I had never been the roommate who moved first, and I have a strong dislike of disappointing people when I can do the opposite. But I couldn't not tell her: I knew with every fiber of my being I would be disobeying God if I didn't tell her.

So I did.
(It went amazingly, by the way.)

Then I went back into my bedroom, picked up my coffee and continued watching the movie I was watching... when my phone went off. A text from my friend Christy Lee that I hadn't talked with in a few months. "Hey lady... had a vision of you living in Atlanta... Can't wait to hear that testimony!"

She had no idea that God was stirring a move,  never mind my having taken my first step of obedience in this journey.

And then I heard His whisper again... "Well done, Beloved. Here's a gift for your step of obedience."

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Today I want to challenge you and encourage you: Are you limiting God in how He works, not just in the world, but in your life? Can you name a time or situation in the last year that in a moment, you saw God in that situation? If not, you may be limiting how He's working in and around you.

Steps of faith and obedience are scary, and not for the faint of heart. But God is GOOD, and He is GRACIOUS and He is FOR you.

My coach told me one night a life-breathing truth: "God never prepares His people by instilling fear. He gives courage."

Repent of your unbelief, ask God for courage and the eyes to see Him.

That is a prayer He will not ignore.

Try Him.

<3

God's Whispers.

At some point I'll share the [honestly, fascinating] journey that God has led me on the last few months, but I can't do that yet because I haven't even had a chance to tell one of the main people of that story... well, the story.But until then, I'll share lessons and stories as they come. This one is... recent. Like D A Y S recent.

So God kept whispering to me and guiding me and nudging me throughout my most recent journey, including the job I've now had for 3 days. <3 [A categorical (1:1) para professional in a special ed preK classroom.] I knew from the first email re: an interview that this was where I was supposed to be. THE FIRST EMAIL.

So the couple of weeks come and go... God heard my (and yours!) cries and expedited paperwork and credits and honestly, just EVERYTHING for me to start on the first day as every one else. I WAS SO EXCITED.

Then, all the HR paperwork (W4s, insurance) was taking forever to find online -- nevermind, to fill out and send in.

Then I asked the coordinator, "So... when is my first paycheck? It's before the 30 day deadline, right?"

Coordinator: "Oh ma'am.... I honestly don't know."

CUE TEARS.
CUE HEARING GOD WHISPER, "I've got this Shauna, I've got this."

I walk back to the classroom saying to myself, "God's got this Shauna, He's got this. He's led you this far."

The next few hours as friends text or call, I say, "Hey, will you pray... I don't know know when I'm getting paid..."

Finally, in texting a friend and hitting "SEND", I can't do it anymore, as the tears are running down my face... I quickly text her right back, "I'm sorry. Forgive me. God keeps whispering to me that He's got this."

Fast forward to the next day, I check the mail when I get home.
There's mail for me.
That mail?
A check.
And notes of encouragement from so many of my camp family and friends.
They had taken an offering for me.
And I just happened to have received the check that day.
The day after God whispered to me.

See, the number one question I've received (actually, that's a lie, it's the 2nd most asked question) re: my journey South has been, "How did you know?" My response is almost always the same: it's a "gut thing"- and hearing His whispers. [Note: See my IG post re: God using our entire beings to speak to us, including our "guts".]

See, I think too often we view God and His working as all lightning bolts and big shouts, when honestly, I don't think He normally speaks that way. Has there been some of those moments on this journey or in my life in general? Absolutely. But have I heard His whispers in the sunset, journaling, emails, prayer time, car rides, conversations, music, silence and tears? Absolutely.

Believe me, I am no expert in hearing the voice and whisper of God.  I can probably give to you the equal amount of stories in which I ignored or couldn't hear or see Him. However, two observations that I have noticed through the years and even in this journey is: 1.)We surround ourselves with noise to the point that silence is deafening and 2.) We have lost our reverent awe and fear of God.

I'll leave you with a list of questions, a checklist of sorts.

*Do you always have the radio/music on in the car?
*Is the tv/ipad always on?
*When was the last time you just sat on the chair/couch/bed with no technology, book or distraction?

*When was the last time you read Scripture for more than 10 minutes per day?
*When was the last time you cried out to God? Or in front of Him?
*When was the last time you got on your knees or the floor to Him? Either out of despair or awe? (Both approaches show humility.)

I would love to have expanded from those questions, but this is it for now. And before you even think of it: don't contact me and flood me with "my kids are everywhere! My kids are loud!": I am a firm believer of seasons of life. But do I think these questions do a tremendous job of probing where some pride may need to be broken or let go of. In fact, I would push you further: if any of these questions caused a flare up in you, either of wanting to push back or say, "nah", I would challenge you to ask God to search your heart and reveal it to you. It could be you are right- and I believe you could be.

Or it could be that your life is too loud to hear God's Whispers.