ST. HELEN – My family recently moved from downstate Michigan to up north to start a new church (Northern Light Church in St. Helen). There has been lots of change from moving to a new home, new school, new friends, new atmosphere and the list goes on and on. But within all this change, God is asking our family to be in total surrender and to trust Him.
Many times, I just look at the surface level and think about what I see. Sometimes, I think I know what is going on and make loose plans and say, “Okay God, show me what you want me to do.” But God has been stopping me in my tracks, even today, to say it isn't about what you think is going on. I felt the Lord showing me that there is so much that I don’t realize, and that I need to follow Him and trust Him and not lean on my own understanding.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I constantly wrestle with God and say something like, “I think you have the wrong person and whatever it is, must be for someone else to do.” I don’t always feel like the most equipped, and surely there are more qualified people.
For many years I would procrastinate on things because I thought things had to be perfect, or I couldn’t get it together so why even bother. But God has been working on my heart to say, “Okay God, I will trust You and I know I don’t need to be perfect. I know you have a plan and purpose for my life and I’m going to stop believing these lies that have paralyzed me most of my life.”
Often, I have believed such distorted things and lived in fear of the what-ifs. But fear does not come from God, and God can use anyone who is willing to let go and let Him lead. I have had faith and trusted God for a long time, but God wanted my and my family’s full surrender and not just most of it.
There are no coincidences in this life. God is a Sovereign God who is in control of everything. He knows when I rise and go to bed. He cares about not just the big things, but the little things in my daily life. All the people that are present in my life are there for a purpose. Some people for a short time and others for longer.
I remember thinking that certain people would always be part of my life. But sometimes, people have changed jobs, moved or circumstances have changed. Much of the time, I had assumed these people would always be part of my life. The truth is that circumstances change, and I don’t really know what tomorrow holds. But God has shown me that I can help other people around me with the time I do have with them, short or long term.
Life can be hard at certain times, but Jesus is greater than any trial or tribulation that I will ever encounter. I need to remember to keep encouraging myself and others around me with God’s truth. I need to remind myself and others to keep focused on Jesus just like when Peter got out of the boat.
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
This is the hope I have In Christ that is celebrated each Easter and all throughout the year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michele Joseph is married to Dan Joseph, Pastor of Northern Light Church in St. Helen, Michigan. They are blessed with their miracle eight-year-old daughter Krista. Dan and Michele recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Their family recently moved from Southeast Michigan to St Helen, Michigan to start Northern Light Church. Michele enjoys serving alongside her husband to wherever God leads her to.