One Small Step… One Giant Leap!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  I know that expression has become somewhat of a cliche.  But, in my case, it’s absolutely true.

I am in the most amazing “season” with You, Lord.  A season I know You are using to help me live my life more intentionally, in pursuit of a Future Vision You are making clear to me.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”  (Proverbs 29:18, King James Version)

Said another way, “Without revelation, the people cast off restraint…”  (Proverbs 29:18, New King James Version)

I was invited recently to create a Vision for the future of my coaching practice.  I struggled.  Maybe it was because of the corporate visions I used to help companies develop as part of their strategic planning.  Their visions were all about becoming the “first” or the “only” or the “best” company in a given industry.  They often dealt with big-picture corporate measures of size and growth — revenues, net profits, market share, etc.

I was thinking inside an old box, and I didn’t know how to think outside of it.  Until You dissolved the box before my very eyes.

It’s still becoming clear, Lord… but I can already tell the direction You are leading me will have radical repercussions.  Repercussions of the blessing kind.  Blessings of the “cup running over” kind.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”  (Ephesians 3:20)

A vision is supposed to draw us forward.  Something we want so much, we are no longer satisfied to stay where we are.  We feel compelled to pursue it with passion.  It requires something — a lot of somethings — from us.  It exhorts and challenges and stretches us.  It inspires and en-courages us (i.e., fills us with courage).  It energizes us.  It can even overwhelm us.  Especially when the Vision You have for us is God-sized.

You gave me a vision today, Lord, that does all of this for me…  and more.  It’s as if You have me at another one of those “kairos” moments in my life.  A moment when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action.  The opportune and decisive moment.  On this first day of the rest of my life.

So, what is this vision?  “Between now and the day I go Home, my vision is to make the most of every opportunity I am given to influence the world for You, Lord… to become “the best I can be” — as a godly woman of influence — in every role and position of influence I now (or will) have.”

You didn’t stop here, Lord.  You had me list my key roles in life, and You gave me a three-step process to start bringing the Vision down to earth and making it actionable in each of these roles.  A process that includes taking a “fearlessly” (as opposed to “brutally”) honest inventory of where I am right now in each of these roles.

“Brutal” honesty feels like it sounds.  But “fearless” honesty is refreshing and empowering.  I can always be fearless in Your Presence… can’t I, Lord?  Because You always accept me, no matter how I may have pleased You or failed You!  And You always love me enough to meet me wherever I am… and to not leave me there!

The thought of all this was (is?), at once, exhilarating and overwhelming.  I started feeling the enormity of it, the “impossibility” of it.  So You first reminded of those encouraging, anonymous quotes.  “How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.” and “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  But You went a step further, Lord!

A particular scripture just “popped” into my mind.  🙂   (Should I start calling You “Pops,” too???)   🙂   So I looked up that scripture.  Then I read the context.  And I received its message as I believe You intended, Lord, when You directed me to it — as Your personal promise to me!!!

“This is the word of the Lord to [Diana]:  Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.  What are you, mighty mountain?  Before [Diana] you will become level ground.  Then [she] will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it!  God bless it!’  [Diana’s hands] have laid the foundation of this temple, [her] hands will also complete it.  Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.  Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in [Diana’s] hand’?”  (Zechariah 4:6-10)’

What a day it has been, Lord… this “first day” of the rest of my life!  It will be a journey of much more than 1,000 miles… won’t it, Lord?  By Your Spirit, I have taken the first step… and I feel wonderful!!!

Expectantly,

Abba’s Girl

2 Comments

  • Carolyn Van Ooteghem says:

    What an exciting post, Diana!! We celebrate with you! Much love from us both, S & C

    • Diana Furr says:

      Yes, my precious sister — an exciting post for exciting times! I can hardly wait to here what the Lord has been up to in your lives when we reconnect at summer’s end! Much love to you! Diana

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