You'll grow into it!

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- DAY 119 -

For now...  

"LIVE YOUR LIFE!"

It had to be over twenty years ago!  I can still remember who I was with, and where I was when it happened.  I was visiting my friend Laura Freeman at her home in Buttonwoods and we were out taking a walk in the neighborhood.  I clearly remember that it was a season of being overwhelmed with the gifts and call of God on my life.

"LORD, I feel like Dorothy 
with those Ruby Slippers."
I remarked.

"They're so powerful, but I don't 
have a clue how they work."

At the time, I was a young Christian and a young mother of three.  I knew I had a call of God on my life and was well aware that God had given me some pretty powerful gifts.  I was already in full time ministry, co-pastoring a small pioneer work, just outside the city.  Even so, I was overwhelmed.  At times I felt like a little girl wearing Mommy's high heals, trying to walk in sophisticated fashion -- only I was falling all over the place.  

Those shoes didn't fit my feet 

and those gifts didn't fit my life.

What I didn't know then, was that in time, 

God would grow me into those gifts
 and those shoes!

Something else was happening during those trying days.  God kept saying the strangest thing to me...

"Live Your Life!"

He spoke it to me in prayer, continually.  He spoke it to me in worship.  Everywhere I turned, I would see that phrase.  I even remember being fascinated at the time, with a television show in which a man was continually given divine information about events that would take place, before they did.  Everyday he'd wake up and go out into the world, attempting to prevent those tragedies he'd been warned about.  One entire episode had him searching for divine answers and ended with him finding a a little box.  I was eager to know its contents.   Surely it contained something valuable and important about this man's divine mission.  Inside was a piece of paper folded up into a tiny square.  Quickly opening it up, he noted these words of wisdom: "Live your life!"

 I was dumbfounded.  How could God do that? 

 We're talking about a t.v. show here.
Somehow, God made sure I saw it

to confirm, once again, the importance 

of what He was trying to tell me.

I just wanted to figure it all out.  

The dream in my heart was bursting in my chest!  I was ready and eager to take off for God -- win the world to Christ -- be the next missionary to anywhere -- you name it, sign me up!  But in reality, I was still pretty inexperienced in the things of God -- in the things of life, for that matter.  What was I missing?  Where was the instruction book that explained this  "call of God?" -- this intense yearning in my heart?  -- these bold tongues and interpretations that were pouring from my lips, causing those around me to shake and tremble?  

It's not unusual for God to give you a vision of your future -- a glimpse of  His Plan  for you!   That's what gets us moving on The Yellow Brick Road.  With it, we know where we're headed.  We have an idea of God's destiny for us.  

Then, you have to grow up 
and grow into that destiny.  

You have to go out and live life.

As far as the call of God on your life and all the gifts God has given you... you start out by getting involved at the ground level.  You show up for church, on time, and every time the doors are open.  You submit yourself to the leadership of the church and you ask them how you can get involved. No one's going to say to you on day one... "Hey, why don't you preach this Sunday!"  LOL  You start off cleaning the church on Saturdays, helping out in the nursery, cooking hot dogs for the church fellowship, and sitting under mentors that know what they're doing.   You discipline yourself to study the Bible, pray and then you apply those truths to your life.  While you're doing all that, God will teach you.

John 14:26 says...

"The Holy Spirit will teach you all things 

and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

It's been a long time, but the shoes fit now.  I don't understand everything, but I understand a lot of things.  I've got 31 years of walking with Him under my belt.

We know each other.  

That's important when it comes to Divine Partnership. 

Perhaps you're wondering how God's Plan for you will all come together.  Maybe you sense that powerful tugging on your heart.  You might even be wondering why things aren't happening faster.   Doesn't everybody know that God wants to use you?  Be patient, my friend.  Be about the business God has put in front of you.  Instead of trying to open doors that are obviously locked, delight yourself in Him.  Live your life!  Those doors will open at the appointed time.  You can count on it.  Be assured that He has not forgotten you.  On the contrary...  As you live your life, He is preparing you in more ways than you can imagine. 

Each day, as we step out in our RED shoes, we are one day closer to fulfilling our destiny in Him.

Gail