GO WEST YOUNG MAN

As I opened my Christmas gift I never imagined that two concerts ticket to see the Newsboys and Michael W. Smith would be so helpful! I can't think of a word "helpful", maybe "insightful", but what I am trying to say is meaningful, with deep meaning.

Let me explain.

We, my husband and I, are in the busiest, most stressful time of our life and then it happened, an alert on our phone calendar "Michael W. Smith Concert." Do we go? Geez the timing tho! Then I say maybe the "pause, time out, be still moment" will be good. Forcing ourselves to slow down for just one night. We would play catch up later to that maddening "To do list." Off we went.

I never imagined the impact this would mean. let me try and write it. It would be a confirmation...mmm...another faith builder. As the Newsboys came on stage and starting singing the songs I knew from the days of youth camp. The memories of students screaming and singing to the song. It took me back to the time my husband and I were youth leaders of our kids and church kids. We would take them to these crazy concerts, wait out on the street and scream when the Newsboys would meet and greet us. Crazy time of joy and laughter!
At the concert, I left my "To do" behind and just rested in the words to the songs, which were filled with scripture and memories. My change in my life needed to happen; scanning my past and remembering that good times will help me to roll forward and remember, it won't always be so tough. Hey! When the song by Michael W. Smith, GO WEST YOUNG MAN, I about fell onto the floor because we had been preparing to do exactly that in the next few days, moving WEST.

A message came through, go west, go in peace, don't look back, you are leaving Egypt (which for Israel was slavery and for me a modern day slavery (bills, congestion, frustration all strangling me and my husband)). 

Friends this story carried me long enough till the next story...a better way to say it is the next encounter with Jesus, where I clearly can't deny he is with me and orchestrating my path. Thank you Jesus.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. NKJV Heb. 12:2"

SLAVERY

Holding the children's bible up high for all the three year olds to be able to see I read "They were grumbling and complaining and crying out take us back to Egypt."

It it me hard.

Take them back to SLAVERY! No TLC back there. There was lack of food, provision, violence, beatings, death, disease....

How many times do I ask to go back to something like a bad job or in my case a house I have sold. I can get gripped with fear, fear of the unknown and think well staying here is what I know so it has to be better.

Does it have to be better?

How many times do you catch yourself complaining about a relationship or job and stay in it for fear of having nothing or no one else?

Here is my deal. I prayed the move would happen in the right time. When it was time Lord release us.

You are probably saying but you are not suffering like the Israelites were. In my life, a house to big is a waste. In your life a job that is making you literally miserable (sick even) or a relationship that is not edifying to the Lord is just "Slavery". 

You may be thinking, comparing these things to slavery is pretty extreme. 

I can't tell you in the moment of reading this story to these kids it hit me like a brick, I catch my self complaining and asking Why? I prayed and it has been a journey, but it is time to move on. It was clear!

I am praying all the scriptures that say for me to not be anxious for nothing.

I repented for the grumbling.

Now my mind is steadfast on the future and I have peace.

God has given me a block of some sort to not go to grumbling, complaining, thinking, asking why. Does that mean I have a picture of the future with all the answers. NO! But I do have peace and I have been sleeping well.

I have my Lord and Savior (and family of course). But I have given up the Stinking thinking.

I have stopped trying to figure it all out. 

I am trusting God daily as I get up, I say, here we go again Lord. More packing and purging! He says ok come on,  I will give you the love and strength and I reply Ok, Love you too!

Please pray about everything. It makes life better, more peaceful.