Oh how I have missed y'all!
Summer. Am I right?
But here's the thing: I haven't even left town or been doing anything super fun. I have been writing less over the past month, working on Resting - in more ways than one, and giving myself a bit of grace for the summer.
But I have missed hanging out on Twitter on Thursday nights with my tribe from Five Minute Fridays! As I mentioned recently, the heart of this tribe still beats strong and if you lean in and listen close, you will hear it. You will find encouragement and support and you will hear the faint whisperings of, "You can do this! You are a writer! You are not alone..." And, honestly, who doesn't need that reminder every once in awhile --read: every Thursday night?
Summer. Am I right?
But here's the thing: I haven't even left town or been doing anything super fun. I have been writing less over the past month, working on Resting - in more ways than one, and giving myself a bit of grace for the summer.
But I have missed hanging out on Twitter on Thursday nights with my tribe from Five Minute Fridays! As I mentioned recently, the heart of this tribe still beats strong and if you lean in and listen close, you will hear it. You will find encouragement and support and you will hear the faint whisperings of, "You can do this! You are a writer! You are not alone..." And, honestly, who doesn't need that reminder every once in awhile --read: every Thursday night?
This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:HIDDEN
{GO}
I know what it's like to be hidden. To be shelved, set aside, pushed back, to hunker down and to be told to wait.
It's not fun. That is what it is: not fun - but oh so necessary!
It's not fun. That is what it is: not fun - but oh so necessary!
I was talking with a friend the other day who is in a season of stepping back... slowing down... of not really being called to DO, but instead be called to BE!
When you are busy Doing... that can sound so dreamy!
When you are busy Doing... that can sound so dreamy!
However it's in the actual doing the Not Doing part where you realize the loneliness and isolation of being hidden for a season.
I see the Word Prompt and I laugh.
I have felt it lately.
I've felt called to step back from so much of the outward producing and allow the inward working of the Spirit to have His way.
His way is often quiet... beneath the surface... it can feel like nothing is happening... but His way always brings Life and a harvest that we long for.
I have lived through a season like this once or twice (or thirty times) and I can assure you that this too shall pass. But when we are the ones in it... the ones sitting on hands and holding tongues... we can forget.
I think of the best benefit I have found in those seasons of being hidden and it takes me to Moses and the book of Exodus, because of course, right?
I think of the best benefit I have found in those seasons of being hidden and it takes me to Moses and the book of Exodus, because of course, right?
“Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the Lord said,Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Ex 33:18-23 NASB
I am like Moses and I cry out, Show me your Glory, Lord!
And always, God reminds me that His glory is in me... Christ in me, the hope of glory! What causes me to stutter is how God is willing, when we ask...and how He shows us that there is a place for us, and it is by His side!
I have found myself hidden as His Glory passes by... clinging to the rock... learning to, as Charles Spurgeon said, kiss the waves that threw me there!
It's these seasons of slowing down... of leaning in... of trusting anyway that we find His hand covers us, protects us even, and He gives us glimpses of what lies ahead.
I remember a friend sharing years ago about this story in Exodus and how God pointed out to him that when God is ahead of you, and you see his 'backside' ...He is your Guide to what is up ahead around the bend and He is showing you a glimpse of the future.
It's in those hidden seasons, that we feel held... (when we stop fighting and give in to Rest!)
And it's in that Restful surrender, that He whispers hope and offers a hint of what Next He has in store! But still... you must remain hidden, and wait...
{STOP}
Waiting really IS the hardest part, right? Who knew how right Tom Petty was?
In the meantime:
Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today. Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click HERE to read what others have to say about: "HIDDEN"
I'm also linking up with the lovely writers and communities listed and linked below:
#FreshMarketFriday... how adorable is that?
Kelly Chripczuk for #SmallWonders
Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday
Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday
Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp
Holley Gerth for #CoffeeForYourHeart
P.S. One thing the Lord DID ask of me in the last couple of weeks was to make my series on Rest more visible.
Listen - I'm a blogger. I love the community and instant feedback and I have never been one to seek after a publisher or agent or try to get a book deal (#notthattheresanythingwrongwiththat) I say that simply to say I know who I am and what I am called to. So when I would hear the Lord prompt me to do something more with my writings, I would argue that they are out here for all to stumble upon and He could lead them here. We'd partner like that, I'd try to convince Him.
So as He 'freed' up my time this month and made this call clear, I stopped arguing and simply followed through.
I now have an ebook available on Amazon that is formatted to be a month long Devotional Read entitled 31 Days of Resting in God ...it's easier/harder than you think! You can purchase it by clicking here or grabbing it from the side bar to the right.
I don't know about you, but in the seasons of being Hidden, I need reminders of how to enter in to His Rest!
My hope and prayer is that this book will do just that! (Remind us how!)
Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp
Holley Gerth for #CoffeeForYourHeart
P.S. One thing the Lord DID ask of me in the last couple of weeks was to make my series on Rest more visible.
Listen - I'm a blogger. I love the community and instant feedback and I have never been one to seek after a publisher or agent or try to get a book deal (#notthattheresanythingwrongwiththat) I say that simply to say I know who I am and what I am called to. So when I would hear the Lord prompt me to do something more with my writings, I would argue that they are out here for all to stumble upon and He could lead them here. We'd partner like that, I'd try to convince Him.
I now have an ebook available on Amazon that is formatted to be a month long Devotional Read entitled 31 Days of Resting in God ...it's easier/harder than you think! You can purchase it by clicking here or grabbing it from the side bar to the right.
I don't know about you, but in the seasons of being Hidden, I need reminders of how to enter in to His Rest!
My hope and prayer is that this book will do just that! (Remind us how!)
Great post. I, too, have been in a recent season of rest after an incredibly busy season of (too much) doing. Sabbath is good and hard. It's hard to feel hidden when you've been in the spotlight. Thanks for the reminder of the treasure available here. Loved this sentence in particular: "However it's in the actual doing the Not Doing part where you realize the loneliness and isolation of being hidden for a season." Blessings, sister!
ReplyDeleteAh yes... Kindred friend... Sabbath IS good AND hard! Praying for you in this season! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteYes. His blessings are often hidden in the desert or the darkness.
ReplyDeleteAmen... I am not a fan of this, but I know it is true! ;) (Well - to be clear, I AM a fan of it once on the other side!) Blessings, Amanda!
DeleteI can definitely relate to going through seasons of hidden and just being. What often amazes me and what I forget in the midst of them is the leap of development that happens afterwards. God takes me on big leaps of faith, or into new roles following these seasons. They truly are times of preparation. Congrats on your new ebook.
ReplyDeleteJo, isn't that just the truth? We grow the most and are the most fruitful after a season of trial or pressure or being hidden! Bless you, friend!
Delete"I have found myself hidden as His Glory passes by... clinging to the rock... learning to, as Charles Spurgeon said, kiss the waves that threw me there!" Love this Karrilee!
ReplyDeleteXO
Tammy
Isn't that quote by Spurgeon just so great?
DeleteI am encouraged to be patient, to wait for the breath of the Spirit. This is truly a time of preparation and incubation.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, Michele! Not Doing is so often such a hard call!!!
DeleteI love the imagery of hiding in the rock. I sometimes feel like that's where my relationship with God sometimes is.
ReplyDeleteOh friend, you and me both! I truly have learned (and had to relearn and relearn again) the truth of how when we feel Hidden, so often it is actually His hand covering us for our own good! Praying for you, Jennifer! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteLove that quote by Spurgeon. I am in a season of doing for others but trying to learn more of just being. Not easy but He is faithful. It's my first time linking up at FMF. Looks like a fun place :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you Theresa... sometimes in this midst of those seasons of pouring out for others, the most important thing we need to remember is to practice a bit of self-care, too! (Not later... but also!) I am so glad you linked up for Five Minute Friday! It really is the best writers tribe online! We gather on Thursday nights on twitter to chat and wait for the word prompt! Just look for #fmfparty and jump in!
DeleteBeautiful words my friend. I am in a season of pulling way back ministry wise and just being. It's hard, but so necessary.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, Barbie... it IS so hard, but so necessary! xoxo
DeleteOh friend, thank you! THIS: "His way is often quiet... beneath the surface... it can feel like nothing is happening... but His way always brings Life and a harvest that we long for." Love you. I'm over in the 68 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteLove you too, sweet friend! I will head on over to check out your offering! xoxo
DeleteI love how the perspectives on a single word can be so different. I too find myself pressing in to God to "show me His glory" during the difficult times. It's a huge faith builder, and He never disappoints.
ReplyDeleteAmen... He never, ever does! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteKarrilee,
ReplyDeleteI love that word, "hidden". So much there. I'm so glad you listened to the Lord and obeyed! I just scheduled your book to share on my FB page! If it is as beautiful as your daily writings, I'm assured it is a place where rest is found! I can't wait to read it, myself!!!
Thank you for sharing at #MomentsofHope! I am so thankful for you!
Hugs,
Lori
Lori, wow - I am so honored that you would share about my book on fb! Thank you so much! You know how it is... sometimes we read back our own writing and find God is speaking to us still! I am reading through it myself this month as a daily devotional and am relearning a few things I had forgotten that I knew! ;) Thanks so much for sharing, and for stopping by! xoxo
Delete~K~
Ah, I know what you mean about being hidden in God's rest. I've been there this summer as well. The urge to write has not been overwhelming, but the urge to drink in beauty has washed over me. There's a reason, I just need to wait for his time to know what he wants me to do with all the new feels and beauties that he's given to me.
ReplyDelete