Don't Force Your Foot

Close Your Eyes and Trust

What’s Next?

We all want to know what’s next on God’s agenda for us—what school we will attend, what job we will land, who we will marry, what house we will end up in, or what our next earthly assignment for the Kingdom will be.

It’s easy to get caught up in “what’s next.”

Does God have a special to-do list locked away in heavenly places that we might be able to peek at if only we tarry one more hour in the prayer closet?

I don’t know about you, but I really want to know what’s next. In fact, this question came up a lot in my therapy sessions. The “what now/what next” question seemed to seep into every session for one whole year. Perhaps it was because that year was full of transition, but even now my heart longs for those questions to be answered.

“What’s next, Lord?”

Honestly, it’s a question I’m ready to retire. I’m so tired of asking it. I’m so tired of the decision fatigue that accompanies the question to move forward, pick a path, or abandon ship.

Maybe it all started in 2020—hanging on every headline and holding my breath for brighter days. “What’s next? How many more days? When will the masks come off? What now?”

Is this leftover lock down anxiety? Is the decision fatigue of 2020 still digging its heels into my heart? Man, I’ve gotta let it go.

Currently, I have this one particular what’s next bouncing around in my brain. It’s small and big at the same time. It’s not necessarily life changing, but necessary nonetheless. Tonight my husband responded with a sigh and let out these words, “I don’t know the answer, but I’m tired of thinking about it.” Me too, I thought. Me too.

So, I decided I’m not going to think about it anymore. Time to close my eyes and trust, just like my nail tech instructed me last week after she painted fresh periwinkle polish on my toes.

Yes, my nail tech called me out when I was trying to slide MY foot into MY sandal in HER hand.

“Don’t look and don’t help me,” Betty said with a stern voice and a slight smile. I could tell I wasn’t the first client to try and “help.”

I felt embarrassed, so embarrassed that I was determined not to mess it up the second go round. So I literally closed my eyes tight and let her put MY foot in MY shoe without smudging the pretty polish.

When I shut my eyes tight, my spiritual eyes opened wide. How many times have I tried to force MY foot into MY doors that are literally all in HIS hands? How many times have I tried to force MY talents into opportunities that are literally all in HIS sovereign plan?

We might force our foot for many reasons— fear of missing out (a.k.a. FOMO) ranks high on that list.

We don’t want to miss out on all that God has for us, so we force our foot where the Shepherd never called us. Or, we linger at locked doors waiting for whispers of the past to call us back into our familiar front porches where we used to sip the tea and shoot the breeze.

You see, Betty the nail tech reminded me of a powerful truth. Don’t force your foot where the Shepherd’s not leading.

Friend, you won’t have to force your foot into the next place God’s taking you. So it’s time to close your eyes and trust. It’s time to surrender.

Have you asked the Good Shepherd where he’s leading you in this season? Are you listening to His voice today?

A Sacred Surrender

If you’ve been praying for God to give you a place, plan, position, platform, or person, maybe it’s time to stop praying for the plan and thank Him for what He’s already prepared—close your eyes and trust.

Maybe it’s time to surrender what’s next and focus on what’s now.

Maybe it’s time to close your eyes and let the Father guide your foot.

Maybe it’s time to trust like you’ve never trusted before.

Maybe it’s time for a sacred surrender.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, run your race with endurance, and let the Holy Spirit set your pace.

Yes, fix your eyes, run your race, and let the Holy Spirit set your pace.

Will you let the Good Shepherd lead you this year? Will you choose radical surrender to His will and His way? Will you allow Him to strip away anything that doesn’t belong? Will you slow down and simply wait?

The Lord reveals things in His timing, not ours, but strength will always rise when we wait upon the Lord. Take courage in the cultivation of your calling, be brave on the pathway of His pruning, fix your eyes on Jesus alone, and worship while you wait.

Spend five minutes in prayer today asking the Holy Spirit to help you close your eyes and trust the Good Shepherd to lead you into the plans He’s already prepared—fully surrendered and fully set free. He will do it.

There’s no need to force your foot— close your eyes and trust.

Grace and Peace,

Audra

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