When God calls to me, I’m not always ready to answer, but God is always ready to answer when I call to him!

“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” Psalm 65:2

Although the intense pain of grief subsided within two years following my husband’s death, I remember still feeling so listless.  I told my friends I’d lost my “mojo”, and quipped that it must be an abbreviation for “more joy” because I felt like I had no more joy.  I had no energy or excitement about life, work or anything for that matter.  

My friends suggested I set some goals and a long-term vision – something to look forward to.  But when I tried to think about the future, I felt like I was in a fog.  I’d not only lost my husband. I had lost the future I had envisioned.  So, I prayed that God would show me his vision for my future, that he would give me clarity rather than confusion. 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

For months I prayed, and it felt like God was silent.  Then one day I read the first chapter of Psalms:

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.  Psalm 1:3

It was like God was speaking to me directly, answering my prayer!  I could see that God had created me as a tree – planted in Christ – to bear fruit!  My branches represented different parts of my life (family, business, friendships, church and community), and his purpose for me was to stay connected to him, while connecting with others.  I know this sounds crazy, but it clicked for me in a way that made all the difference in the world.  I took out a piece of paper and drew a tree, my branches, my relationships – all the connections God had provided for me.  I could see that I had played a role in connecting my children and my husband to Christ, and they were His fruit!  It all fit together, and I could see God’s purpose for me.  I was able to reconnect with the joy of building relationships, in a way I hadn’t for several years.

While this wasn’t the roadmap for my future that I had been seeking, it gave me great clarity for the present.  I knew what God wanted me to be doing each day, and for the near-term.  For me, “calling to God” meant not only praying for answers, but listening to his word.  His word tells me that my future on earth is not for me to know, but that I am His for eternity – a future worth looking forward to! 

• What is something you are confused or unclear about?
• Have you lost sight of your purpose in life?

PRAY:

Lord help me remember to call to you, when I’m unclear about my purpose or have decisions to make.    I will look to your word for answers, know that your good Spirit is my guide.  I will expect to hear your answers, and will seek to follow your will.  Thank you, Jesus for leading me!