Have you ever found yourself in a certain place in life wondering “how in the world did I ever end up here?”
“Here” was not part of your plan.
“Here” is no where to be seen written down in your schedule.
“Here” is not the destination you planned to reach.
“Here” was not the road you planned to travel on.
Yet “here” is exactly where you are.
Not by accident.
Not by mistake.
Not by coincidence.
But by the perfect will of God.
I have to confess… sometimes I doubt that where I’m at is where God wants me to be. Sometimes I think I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Sometimes I think that “here” is a big mistake that I somehow need to correct.
Often times I find myself questioning God about my “here” and when I do God continually reminds me: “here” is right where I need to be even if it makes absolutely no sense in my mind.
And in that confusing, sometimes dark, and usually uncertain place of “here” is the perfect place for God to work in your life.
Look at the many great men of the Bible and their own “here’s”…
Daniel. The man who remained faithful in his daily prayers to God ended up in a lion’s den. Not by accident but by God’s providence. Why? So that he could show God how faithful he would remain no matter the circumstances he found himself in and also to show the world that God would take care of him.
Joseph. An ambitious young boy with big dreams. I don’t think ending up in a dark dungeon was part of his plan to fulfill those dreams. To live his destiny. To do what God called him to do. But it was part of God’s plan. And it was during those years that God tested Joseph’s character and molded him into the great leader he would be.
Abraham. The man of faith that God promised the nations to. A son to. And yet there is Abraham standing at an altar with a knife, ready to sacrifice his own son because God asked him to. Did it make sense that God asked him to sacrifice the one and only son He gave him in his old age to fulfill His own promise to him? Not at all. But Abraham obeyed God. And through this his faithfulness and devotion to God was tested.
Job. The righteous man who walked with God lost absolutely everything that meant something to him in life. Not because God closed His eyes for a minute and forgot to watch out for Job. But because God purposefully allowed it to happen.
Moses. The man that God allowed to live as a baby in order to one day lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. He was a fugitive who ended up living in a desert far from home for 40 years as a shepherd. Doesn’t seem like the ideal training ground for a mighty man of God who would lead the Israelites to freedom in the Promised Land.
Jesus. God’s one and only son. The Savior of the World. The Prince of Peace sitting on the heavenly throne. Somehow he ended up in a dark, sinful world. Hanging on a blood-stained cross. Not exactly the way I imagine the redemption of the world by the King of Kings.
What is my point exactly?
None of these great men of God ended up where they were by accident.
And YOU are not where you are at this moment by accident.
Your “here” is where God wants you to be whether it makes sense to you or not.
You can question God.
Maybe Job questioned God about why he ended up poor, sick, and ridiculed after walking righteously with Him for so many years…
Maybe Joseph questioned God about why he was locked up in a dungeon when he should have been doing something to fulfill those dreams of his…
Maybe Abraham questioned whether or not at that altar with his son was really where God wanted him to be…
None of it makes sense. Not of it seems like the ideal place to be. Yet what we think is the “ideal” place to be in our life is not always the ideal place in God’s eyes.
If you find yourself in that place today where so often I find myself I want to remind you what God has been teaching me lately: “Here” is the perfect place for you to be at this moment.
Here is where God purposed for you to be.
Even if it’s a hard place.
Even if it makes no sense.
Trust God with your “here” because He knows exactly what He is doing.
He did with all of those mighty men from the Bible.
He placed them in those places in life that made no sense and then He used those circumstances to strengthen them, to test them, to teach them, to mold them, and ultimately in the end He used them to fulfill His perfect will for their lives.
What is your “here” today?
You’re not there by accident.
Maybe it doesn’t seem like a good place to be… but it’s the perfect place for you to be.
I want to end this with a quote by Mark Driscoll: “The script you had in mind for your life is probably different than the one God will hand you. His is better.”
Never forget this: whatever you imagined, planned, hoped for, or dreamed of… God’s plan is better. He knows what’s best for you. He won’t allow you to go through things for no reason. And He will use the “here” in your life to fulfill His perfect purpose.
Trust Him for the script He is writing of your life.
Blessing! –Anna… ♥
Amen!
Ah! You have no idea how much your words mean to me in my painful ‘here’. I’m trusting God as I move forward. Thank you for the beautiful perspective.
I’m so glad the blog encouraged you. It’s been on my heart for so long because I find myself at that “hard place” so often as I’m sure others do too. It’s so good to know that we have a loving God who watches out for us, takes care of us, and makes everything work out for the best always. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Be blessed!
Here I am, just read your post, realizing that this current situation of mine will certainly lead me in fulfilling His perfect will for me. —- “He placed them in those places in life that made no sense and then He used those circumstances to strengthen them, to test them, to teach them, to mold them, and ultimately in the end He used them to fulfill His perfect will for their lives.” 🙂 God bless you Sis Anna.♡
Thank you Mae! That is such a beautiful quote (and oh so true!). Thank you for sharing it with me. He is most definitely using your current situation to shape you for your future. Sometimes you just need to sit tight and keep trusting Him through the molding process. 🙂 May you continue growing in Him and becoming more like Him every day. Be blessed!
God, you write so beautifully.
Seeing and acknowledging God in all circumstances is one of the key lessons from the life of Joseph. He used every circumstance as an opportunity to provoke himself into deeper union with, and trust in, God.
“We (need) to stop fighting our circumstances and instead begin to look for Gods purpose in those circumstances”.
“The Joseph Road” – Jerry White
Love the quote! God allows us to go through all kinds of circumstances so we can learn to trust Him and lean on Him through them. That’s clearly evident in Joseph’s life (and Paul’s life). They both ended up in prison cells yet learned to trust God and find joy even when their circumstances told them to do the opposite.
Our plans become increasingly irrelevant as we allow the Lords will and purposes to consume us. Those that are led by the Spirit are true sons and daughters. Wherever He leads and directs we go, we do. The failure of our plans is the beginning of true life. Often by His divine orchestration. Life is now living His ways and fulfilling His desires and purposes. The prisons are his doing. The injustices against us are allowed by Him. We are the clay, He is the potter. Does the clay say to the potter…”what are you making”? No. The clay is malleable.Our lives are not our own. The more you walk the path the more grateful you become that all you used to value is now rubbish compared to the immeasurable greatness of knowing Christ. Aside from Him, it is all meaningless. There is only Him. His life and His person coarse through our veins. He is every breath we take. He consumes us.
“God is bringing us to the place where He has but to express a wish and we respond instantly. That is the spirit of the servant. Psalm 40:7-8. Such a spirit does not come naturally to any of us. It comes when our soul, the seat of our energy and will and affections, has been brought, by way of the Cross, under His sway. Yet such a servant spirit is what He seeks. The way to it may be long drawn or it may be just one stroke; but God has His ways and we must have regard to them”.
Watchman Nee – “The Normal Christian Life”.
Anna, this is special here. It prompts a question for you.
You made my day with this post, it is not that we don’t know the truth, it is more that we need to be reminded – and at times even more so – ,you did ‘just’ that, thank you Anna, from the bottom of my heart!, and may God continue you to bless you and your beloved ones.
Michael
Thank you for this great post, It is just what I needed to hear. I am definitely in my ‘Here’ point in life, having had to move countries home after loosing a job. Not where I planned or wanted to be. I do know its a jump board for life, a staging area if that makes sense. Its hard to keep the faith and times, but its nice to read posts like this that are real and show how following Christ isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Thank you for this post.
When life brings you to your knees
Anna Bachinsky / September 2, 2014
trusting God, valleyWhen I thought about taking a month off to escape the busyness of the world and seek Christ more I envisioned myself having sweet times of fellowship with Jesus one-on-one with no distractions.
I thought I would dig deep into His Word to draw nearer to Him and get more insight, more direction, and more encouragement for my life.
I thought I would get together with close friends to talk to about God and grow together in Him.
And I did all of those things, but it was no way near to the way I originally imagined it to be.
Yes, I spent hours upon hours of prayer but it was not because I conveniently set time aside to be alone with God.
It’s because I found myself in such a dark place that the only way I knew I would get through was by crying out to Him daily on my knees.
Yes, I spent hours upon hours poring over my Bible but it was not because I wanted to catch up on my Bible reading plan and get insight and conviction for myself
It was because I found myself in the middle of a storm and I knew the only way I would make it out safely to the other side was by holding on tightly to His Word and claiming His truth and promises for myself.
Yes, I spent time talking to my friends about what I was going through, but it was not because it’s just what we normally do but because I needed them not to laugh with me but to hold my hand, to pray for me, and to encourage me.
I went into August thinking it would be this amazing month dedicated to spending time alone with Christ, and it was.
But it seems like the minute you try to get closer to Christ the enemy sees and he attacks you in every single way.
I would get hit with one arrow one week, and after much prayer and reading God’s Word I would make it back up, only to get hit once again.
I was tested, I was broken, I was tempted, and I was tried.
There were moments when I got scared and all I could do was cling to Christ because I knew He was my lifeline.
There were moments when I couldn’t fall asleep because I was worried about what the next day would bring so I would open up my Bible and repeat God’s promises and truth into my heart and mind over and over again.
There were moments I got so hurt and angry at people and situations that I had no control over but I held my tongue and clung to His peace knowing He had even those questionable areas in my life all under control.
There were moments when I felt like God had forgotten me so I dug out my old prayer journals to re-read and be reminded of how faithful He has been in getting me through every single battle, storm, and trial I have ever faced until this day.
There were moments I felt so broken inside all I could do was get down on my knees and pray for God to comfort me and carry my burdens for me.
And the funny thing is I know exactly why my hard days came.
It’s because I prayed a prayer that God answered so faithfully.
I asked Him to help me do hard things in life.
Things that required me to trust in Him.
Things that tested my faith.
And so those hard things came.
See…it’s easy to say “I’ll praise God in the storm” until you find yourself directly in the midst of rolling waves, thundering skies, and a shaking boat.
It’s easy to say “I’ll trust God in the middle of my desert” until you find yourself stuck in the desert, seeing nothing but wilderness ahead, not knowing which path to follow next.
It’s easy to say “I won’t give up” until you are standing directly in front of a mountain with no strength left to take one more step.
It’s easy to say “I won’t worry about tomorrow” until you find yourself staring darkness in the face, not knowing how you will even make it through today.
If there is anything that I learned this month it’s that Jesus is closest when He seems furthest away.
He loves you even when everything starts falling out of place.
And He walks with you every step of the way.
Because storms were never meant to break you but to build you up.
Just like a trainer puts on that extra weight on you to build up your muscle so you can handle even more next time so God allows you to walk through one more storm with Him so your faith in Him will grow as you learn to trust Him in the middle of your chaos, of your brokenness, and your pain so you can be prepared for what is to come.
He allows you to go through hard things so you can have an opportunity to trust and believe that He is truly who He says He is, a gracious Heavenly Father who is faithful to hearing and answering His children’s needs.
I think Deborah put it best in one of here recent posts on her facebook page:
“If you’ve never been sick, how can you know God is your healer?
If you’ve never been broke, how can you know God is your provider?
If you’ve never been hurt, how can you know God is your comforter?
If you’ve never been afraid, how can you know God is your shelter?
If you’ve never been persecuted, how can you know God is your vindicator?
Every situation you face, will be used for God to show His glory in your life.
Every challenge you face, is just a set up for praise.
Never forget that no matter how tough times are.”
There will be some moments in your life when just like in Job’s situation God will ask you “Will you still love me when your world starts falling apart? Will you trust me when what you are walking through makes absolutely no sense? Will you believe in me when the world around you tells you to do otherwise?”
It’s when we are most tempted to run from God and doubt His love for us that we must run to Him even faster and trust Him most.
Never forget that it was in the desert, running from his enemies that David learned there was no battle he couldn’t fight because God would always go before Him.
It was in the prison cell abandoned by his own brothers that Joseph learned that God would never abandon him.
It was being barren at 90 years of age after years and years of waiting, and praying, and probably too many tears that Sarah learned that nothing is impossible for God.
Sometimes God allows valleys, and deserts, and storms into our life simply to show us what He has been showing His children for the last few thousand years: He hears our prayers, He is faithful, and He will always be there.
It is the valleys, and prison cells, and deserts that He molded His greatest warriors of faith.
It is in the fires, and the trials, and in the brokenness that He developed the most beautiful men and women after His own heart.
And as hard as it is to say I am thankful that He took me through my share this month because I know it’s only for my own good and my own growth in Him.
My storm might still rage on but my hope is in the One who can calm it with a single Word from his mouth.
My desert might still extend farther than my eye can see but my hope is in the One who will direct my every step until I reach the Promised Land.
My battle might still continue but my hope is in the One who fights every blow, every shot, and every attack that comes my way.
Never forget that God is good and He is faithful no matter what you are going through today and what you will face tomorrow.
Trials, darkness, and storms don’t exclude anyone.
Hard times will come.
But so will good times.
So will answered prayers.
So will glorious blessings.
So will open doors.
So will victory.
So will healing.
So will a brand new day.
God loves you no matter where you’re at.
If He’s taking you through a difficult season, trust Him.
That’s not your final destination; it’s just a stepping stone along the way.
A challenge made specifically for you to strengthen you for the rest of your journey with Him.
So keep on fighting, keep on trusting, and keep on holding to His promises.
Today is just one day…. He’s not finished with you yet.
I hope you all have a wonderful day! -Anna… ♥
“He calms the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea are hushed.” – Psalm 107:29
valleys, desert, in the valley with God, trust God,Related Posts:
Thanks so much for this! It really blessed me! AMEN!!! His plans are so much higher:) The BEST is YET TO COME!:) Isaiah 26 and Isaiah 28:5-6 and vs. 16-19
Amen Jennifer! With God our future is secure and there are many more blessings awaiting us as we follow Him. ♥
Again so on top of things ,
Often times I find myself questioning God about my “here” and when I do God continually reminds me: “here” is right where I need to be even if it makes absolutely no sense in my mind.
amazingly touched by God true the story
i am going , pray first =)
Some big blessings for you and your Family
Pitch Your Tent With Elohim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SznarzoqK8c
Profound!
Amazing ,
the stories , makes me smile
,,and happy smiling ,,
,,and laughter ,,
,, again and again ,,
no coincidence with Joseph ,
how manny million things must be
,,to pull that of,,
that ?
,, saving the people,, in advance , true Him