I can hear it now… “Check my.. her flow? What? Huh? Wendy has done it. Oh, Lord, she has launched her rap career! We thought she was just kidding! Somebody go grab that girl and bring her home!” Hahaha! Don’t get too excited (or become too afraid). That’s not the flow I’m talking about. It’s kind of hard to explain but I’m in a different flow of life. The way I do things has changed. The way I deal with peolple has changed. The way I think has changed. The way I feel has changed. You might blame it on getting older. You might blame it on a changing spiritual walk. You might blame it on finally being comfortable in my own skin again… I’m not really sure. However, my flow has changed and I must say that I like it. When people (and situations) approach me with a bunch of negativity, I just say, “Check my flow! I’m not going in that direction. I’m going in a whole new direction.” You can call me crazy, misinformed, deceived, in denial,… it doesn’t matter. The opinions of others just don’t matter to me any more. Don’t take it personal, just check my flow. If you can flow with me, then that is fine. If you can’t, then hopefully I’ll catch you on the other side. I’m choosing to stay positive and focused while I expect and know that God is working things out for my good (Romans 8).
Recently, we have been inundated with so many crises. Tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, and massive storms seemed to have devastated so many communities and even countries. The power of the wind mixed with the power of the water shook and washed away people, homes, communities, and landmarks that had seemingly stood forever. People had to find a new way of survival- a new way of doing things.
Many of us have had to face our own personal storms where it appeared that everything that could have been shaken was shaken. Situations seemingly came and washed away our comfort zones. Things that we were anchored to and put our confidence in crumbled-things like jobs, relationships, our bodies, financial institutions,… So many people have had to find new ways to survive and even new ways to look at life and at themselves. Some things had to be removed. Some thinking had to be washed away. Some idols needed to be destroyed. Some things we were anchored to were not solid enough to hold us. Those anchors had to come up in order for us to rediscover a sure anchor and foundation. It led so many of us us to the edge- to the brink of what seemed to be… ruin. But listen at this. I was thinking about the Children of Israel and how they managed to make it into their place of promise after all the crazy stuff they had been through (slavery, fear, insecurities, being chased by their past, enemies, facing a seemingly uncrossable Red Sea, war, sin, losing faith in their leaders, complaining all the time, …). As I read the book of Joshua, I came across these scriptures in Joshua 3.
“3When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being borne by the Levitical priests, set out from where you are and follow it.
4Yet a space must be kept between you and it, about 2,000 cubits by measure; come not near it, that you may [be able to see the ark and] know the way you must go, for you have not passed this way before.
5And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves [that is, separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
7The Lord said to Joshua, This day I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
8You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.”
An excitement burst on the inside of me like fireworks on the Fourth of July! Here Joshua was leading a people who were tired and hurting (You have to read the whole chapter… the whole book for that matter). They heard the promise year after year but all they had been able to obtain to this point was the wilderness. They had left behind all that they knew. They lost their families, friends, elders, teachers in the wilderness… They had recently been cut and were currently lacking strength and personal power- feeling unprepared and on the brink. In all actuality, they were on the brink- on the brink of their promise! God was about to “enlarge” Joshua and give Israel victory.
Verse 8 tells us what to do when we reach the brink. “When you come to the brink… stand Still in the Jordan.” What? Stand in the Jordan? You must be crazy! I’ll drown. No you won’t. Read Isaiah 43. Stand still when you are feeling at the brink. Don’t count yourself out or give up! As you stand still in your Jordan (the thing that is seemingly standing between you and your place of promise), stand expecting God to do wonders (vs. 5).
I encourage you to hear the words of God (vs. 9). We have to be able to hear and know the words of God. People are drowning in the situations of life because they do not know the word of God for themselves or because they have lost confidence in the word of God and are no longing declaring it over their lives. Listen, listen, listen! The word of God that you know and speak is your weapon, your road map, your comfort, and your answer. It is what will change your thinking… change your flow. Our personal methods will not get us to the place we are supposed to be- following the strategic plan of God will! I don’t care how bright, talented, manipulative, or connected you are, only God’s plan will bring you to your place of promise. That might anger some folks. You might say, “Well, I have 4 degrees, I’m a gifted writer, I know someone in the business…” So what. Look at the news. Look out your windows. See the shake ups on the jobs, in the market, watch a presidential debate… The answers are not “out there” or in “your“personal power. Obtaining God’s promises for your life is based upon your belief in, dependency on, and obedience to God and His Word. You’ll never reach your promised place depending on your knowledge and abilities. The last verses in that chapter tells of when the people’s (carrying the Ark of the Covenant) feet were in the brink of the waters, God caused the waters that flowed one to to rise up in another direction and the Children of Israel crossed over on dry land.
For me, that brought me peace. For me, the Word lets me know that I am right where I am supposed to be. All I have to do is follow the instructions of the Holy One- trust Him to get me in. I have often tried to figure out why things seems so unfamiliar? Why can’t I figure stuff out? Why can’t people give me any answers? Verse 4 indicates having to travel a way you have never traveled before. We have to depend upon God to take us and get us through a path we’ve never been. Read the book. God did for the children of Israel what was impossible for them to do for themselves. He did it by HIS Spirit. When we come to a place of realizing that He is going to do it and He is going to get the glory, your flow changes. The rough waters smooth out and become peaceful. An inner calmness and confidence returns. Things don’t move you as much. The opinion of others don’t matter as much. Your cup that once appeared empty is now full to the overflow. You walk in grace. Your vision becomes clearer.
Listen, to those of you who are on the brink, stand still! Force yourself to get into the word of God and remind yourself of His promises to you. I believe something amazing is getting ready to happen. People may have been waiting around to see you go under but unbeknown to them and you, you are on the brink of the promise. You may have lost somethings or even some people/relationships. You may have started doubting yourself or whether you have what it takes to outlast the storm. The place you stand may still feel like rough waters but believe God- period!! I pray your confidence be in His ability and not in your own. I speak peace to your life. I pray that the Spirit of the Living God will open your eyes, open your ears to hear His instructions, strengthen you, settle you, enlarge you and guide you into your place of promise. As you stand still at the brink, I call on the streams of living waters to flow from the inner most parts of you (John 7:38) as you prepare to step over into the place God promised. Here we go…
Check my flow!
Wendy M. Reynolds