First Steps to the Return

Ezra 2: ⁶⁴ The whole company numbered 42,360, ⁶⁵ besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. ⁶⁶ They had 736 horses, 245 mules,⁶⁷ 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

⁶⁸ When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

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After finishing my final paperwork I stood in my home office. No commute. No conference calls. No meetings. Silence. My career had shifted after the company decided to eliminate positions and I found myself wondering what to do. My previous pace was fast and pressured. I questioned the directions of the numerous people who gave me input.

They had great intentions in providing suggestions, but until I quieted down, I could not hear what I was supposed to be doing.

• After my turmoil, I ponder what happens next.
• After my trial, I question where I am supposed to go.
• After my difficulty, I wonder “am I good enough?”

When I ask myself “Am I good enough” I am still looking at myself for all the answers. I then turn into judge, jury and executioner, quickly convicting myself of all my sins and missteps. GOD does want me to admit I am a sinner, BUT HE also wants me to move on, knowing HE has forgiven me. HE sometimes wants me to start over, dropping my misinterpretations of HIM along the way.

• GOD wants me to look at HIM rather than looking at my accomplishments.
• GOD wants me to look at HIM rather than looking at my might.
• GOD wants me to look at HIM rather than looking at my resources.

Hundreds of thousands of GOD’s people had been taken into captivity and they returned with a pitiful few. Their resources were low yet their spirit was not broken. They gave and that was the first step to the return. On the journey back GOD said to me “be generous and you will be blessed.”

• Are you just getting out of a huge trial?
• Are you still pondering the aftermath of devastation?
• Can you mourn for a shorter period of time and start to focus on GOD’s peace?
• Will you drop your struggles and focus on rebuilding HIS temple within you, HIS way this time?
• Will you ask GOD for the spirit of generosity today?

Small Steps

2 Chronicles 8: ¹⁶ All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid until its completion. So the temple of the Lord was finished.

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Two o’clock in the morning I was awake pondering all of the items I had to do to nail down my business. There were several people still left to contact all kinds of documents to create and the thing we were building seemed to have numerous starts and fits. “When will this ever be done?” I asked GOD.

• Sometimes it seems like the road gets longer and longer.
• Sometimes when I think I am nearing the end another twist gets added and I have to wait.
• Sometimes I see the road ahead and I think there is too much.

Overwhelmed is the feeling I get when I look too hard at the “big” picture. I mean when I try to fit all the pieces together they just don’t add up. There seems to be this or that to do and something inevitably gets broken. When will relief come?

• GOD says to me “Be anxious for nothing” which takes trust.
• GOD says to me “I will lead you besides still waters” which relaxes my mind.
• GOD says to me “I will always be with you” which removes my doubt.

When I had a long way to run, it seemed impossible but when I focused on taking the first step then the next and the next, I soon looked back and had run nine miles for my practice. My mind cleared and GOD said to me “take small steps and see how far you will go.” GOD’s path is not filled with anxiety. HIS road is filled with faith, obedience and trust which enable me to let go of any worries.

• Are you feeling overwhelmed?
• Do you have anxiety?
• Can you relax a moment and talk to GOD about your worries out loud?
• Will you let the SPIRIT of peach overcome you in a way that surpasses all knowledge?