Wandering in the Wilderness

So here I am... traveling down a new path that God put me on. I am in a place I had never expected to be. North Carolina. I had NEVER thought of moving to North Carolina until I was in the relationship. I had a reason to move here. Now I don't have a reason to be here... So what is my reason for staying? I could go anywhere in the world! I moved 1,000 miles away from home to be here, so I could always move another 1,000 miles away if desired.

This kind of thinking has left me in a state of confusion. I have a million questions. Why am I here? Do I stay here? What is Gods purpose for me here? If I moved, where would I go? What is next? What is the plan? Since I moved to North Carolina I have felt like I am just wandering. I do not have a plan. I do not know Gods plan. I am cluelessly and aimlessly wandering around. I can not yet see the bigger picture.

When I feel like this I think of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where Jesus was then tempted by Satan. What happened during that time in the wilderness was essential. He trusted God and did not give in to temptation.

I can not help to think that I am currently in a season of wandering in the wilderness. I am in a place I do not know. I had no family or friends once I moved here. I know that this wilderness does have the ability to transform my heart in many unexpected ways; I just have to stay clear of temptation and live by The Word. 

Many times we do not know we are wandering into the wilderness until we are already there. We can end up there in the blink of an eye. This wilderness can seem like a desolate and lonely place. We have to remember that we are not simply wandering but we are wandering with a purpose. God allows us to go into this wilderness knowing that Satan will tempt and test us. It may seem like a frightening situation; However during this time we have to remain confident in the fact that we are NOT alone. God is walking with us every step of the way. We must keep praising and serving God as we navigate through the unfamiliar circumstances. Our faith will be tested, yet we must remain strong and persevere. If we do this we will see Gods grace in the most difficult of situations. 

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, As I continue this journey You have led me on fill my heart with joy and peace. Allow me to take comfort in knowing that You are with me. Give me strength to stay clear of all temptations that come my way and allow me to keep You first. As I navigate these unfamiliar circumstances help me to persevere through all things. I pray that You will transform my heart in many unexpected ways. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. 

Road Closed...

As many of you already know in September 2016 I decided to venture out and make a big decision. I made a choice to move 1,000 miles away from home. Away from my family. Away from my friends. I moved to a little city in North Carolina called Havelock. I did this with intent that I would no longer have to be in a long distance relationship. The relationship seemed to be getting pretty serious and I believed at the time that removing the distance would be the next best thing for the relationship.

Some of you already know this, but... that relationship ended pretty quickly after I moved here. For me it was like I started driving down the road. I could see my destination. I knew what I wanted. I knew how I was going to get there. Then suddenly out of no where a road closed sign appears. The route I though I was supposed to take I could no longer go.

I think that when God puts up a road closed sign he simply has an alternative route planned. A better route. What can be hard to accept is that sometimes this alternative route will take longer for us to reach our destinations. We think we are ready for something, however, God disagrees. He leads us down a different route because we are not ready. There are still lessons to be learned. He wants us to grow and be ready for everything that He plans to give us.

We have to Trust in Him. We have to Trust that He is doing what is best for us, even when we feel hurt. A relationship ending is always going to hurt, no matter the circumstances. What you do once you reach that road closed sign is what really matters. What do you do?

Take the next best step. That step is to keep going. Keep learning. Keep growing. He is just better preparing us for the great things He has in store for us. So no matter the hurt. No matter the obstacle.
Know that what is to come is so much more better than what you could had ever imagined. So trust Gods plans and thank Him for giving you a new path!

PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you are guiding me every day and for that, I thank you. You know my future and I rely on Your stength and Your goodness to guide me! When a road closes I can trust that You have an even better alternate route planned. Better than I could had ever imagined. As you guide me, heal me. Heal all my pain and take away of all my doubts. Allow me to take the most away from all obstacles that I face and learn from every lesson. Help me to grow in you Father, God. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.