Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
February 13, 2023
This Week's Anchor
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the
Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Have you ever been called to a ministry, purpose, or place that was beyond your norm and incredibly different and uncomfortable? If so, welcome. Last week we talked about embracing the different seasons in our lives, and this week we continue to flow from this conversation.
I recently came across a video on social media (shared below) that resonated with this conversation on seasons and really stuck with me. In this video, pastor Preston Morrison joins pastor Tim Ross on his podcast The Basement where they converse about their present seasons of transition and their focus on following God. In the broader context of this episode, they discuss some of the challenges of being in transition. Many of us know them well—from feeling completely vulnerable and exposed to experiencing fear and worry about the future to being misunderstood by others, the process of being called by God to a new chapter can be a muddy one. Yet, in this intimate moment between these two men, we are reminded of our anchor scripture this week—that when we answer God’s call, we can be confident and anchored in knowing that He goes with us and that He will never leave us, especially when we are following Him.
This powerful conversation illuminates some of the sobering truths about being called by God, some of which may resonate for many of us:
Being called often feels vulnerable, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar, and we often hide behind our comforts in an attempt to avoid what we are being called to
What we try to avoid is often what we need to surrender to God
It can be a lonely venture, but God often blesses us with those who affirm where He is leading us and what He is doing within us
We have no earthly clue what will happen, how the process will unfold, or what the future will hold as we feel the tug to move, and this can be understandably unnerving
When we enter a space of desperately wanting to hear from God, this is usually when we are most aligned with the Holy Trinity (and most at peace and impactful)
In the words of Tim Ross, “everything preaches”—God can use any and everything to speak to and through us, and He can use us no matter our background or qualifications
Answering God’s call requires dying to our flesh, and the best way to die to our flesh and surrender to God is to feed our spirit (quoted from Preston Morrison). This further requires us to:
Invite God’s presence in your life more consistently
Be open to hearing and seeing God in any way, any place, and by any means
Be honest with God about what we need from Him and where we need Him to show up in our lives
As I shared last week, I’ve currently been in a place that is unfamiliar to me. I’m used to doing and being more and having my hand in a million things—a quintessential natural-born busybody. But in the present season, God is calling me to coast and remain steady. I’m feeling led to focus more deeply and intentionally on very few things. There’s no razzle-dazzle to it and there aren’t any outwardly visible huge breaks or big accomplishments to celebrate. Yet, in the sentiments of Tim and Preston in their vulnerable heart-to-heart, I trust where God is leading me. I know that if His presence is with me in this, this is exactly where I need to be. And I’m going to embrace the peace and rest that I have in what feels like a slowdown.
Maybe you find yourself in a similar season right now where you are being led into uncharted or unfamiliar territory. Maybe this season is uncomfortable because it is different for you. Or maybe you don’t feel like you are good enough, smart enough, or experienced enough to answer what God is calling you to. Whatever your situation, the one question God is asking is “will you follow?” Where God is leading us is more important than anything else in our lives, and in the words of the wise men in this video, the best thing about every place we will ever go is that God is there. As Preston eloquently expressed, the best parts of us and our stories are God. As uncomfortable and scary as it can be, when we know we are following God in His presence and purpose, there is something liberating and relieving. We can embrace the excitement, thrill, and joy of following God’s call as opposed to being overwhelmed only with fear.
As we enter another beloved week, I pray that we are moved, inspired, and encouraged by God’s all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-comforting, and never-leaving presence. May we hear God and have the courage to move forward even when we don’t see where we are going. May we follow where His presence is, and may His presence eternally meet us where we are.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What do you need from the Holy Trinity to follow where God is calling you?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Exodus 33:14-15
Nahum 1:5
Psalm 23
Psalm 139
Romans 8:31-39
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“It’s pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t
made up your mind which way to go.”
Madam CJ Walker
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