DAY 95 - NEW SEASON, TAKE A STEP
DEB KIRKWOOD, ARVADA ASSOCIATE CAMPUS PASTOR
“I WANTED TO BUILD A TEMPLE TO HONOR THE NAME OF THE LORD MY GOD,” DAVID TOLD HIM. “BUT THE LORD SAID TO ME, ‘YOU HAVE KILLED MANY MEN IN THE GREAT BATTLES YOU HAVE FOUGHT. AND SINCE YOU HAVE SHED SO MUCH BLOOD BEFORE ME, YOU WILL NOT BE THE ONE TO BUILD A TEMPLE TO HONOR MY NAME. BUT YOU WILL HAVE A SON...SOLOMON...HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL BUILD A TEMPLE TO HONOR MY NAME.’ 1 CHRONICLES 22:7-10
In elementary school I was convinced that I would become a gymnastics star, truly and totally convinced! Everyday my friend Barbara and I would jump on the trampoline and practice our flips, twists and perfect two foot landings. We would then walk gracefully off the trampoline, with pretend flowers in our arms from the wooing crowd, and place them in our pretend lockers which was the large tree in the middle of the yard. Every summer we would also attend a gymnastics camp and every summer that went by, I just knew I was headed to the olympics to compete for a gold metal!
Summer had arrived and my friend and I couldn’t wait for camp to start!!! It was mid-week and the camp was going great! We were learning so many new skills! It was my turn to try a new trick on the floor, maybe a roundoff backflip, something like that. As I went to attempt my move, it all went ok, but my coach didn’t really “spot” me. Meaning she didn’t reassure me that she was right there in case I broke my neck! Afterwards, I just looked at her in confusion, ‘why didn’t you help me?,’ I thought to myself. I will never forget what she said to me, “You are getting to be too tall. I can’t really spot you anymore.”
DEVASTATED!!!!
Now if you met me today, you know that I am on the taller side for a girl, almost 6 feet tall. And if you know anything about a gymnast, typically the average height for a gymnast is 5’1”. My coach at the time was very short and I’m pretty sure I was double her size, even as an elementary aged girl. I was just too tall! And my coach let me know it.
NEW SEASON, TAKE A STEP
As we read the scripture above we find King David, a man after God’s heart, who truly loved the Lord and had God’s favor throughout this life. Even in the messy parts of David’s life, God always showed up. David decided he wanted to build a Temple for the Lord. It was a deep desire to do this, so much so that if you read prior to this scripture, it says that David began preparations for the Temple to be built BUT God gave him a different answer that didn’t line up with his desire. “...You will not be the one to build a Temple...”
Although we know David was an amazing warrior, a skillful musician and had total favor from God, he was still human! We can all imagine that he was a little hurt and disappointed when God said he could fulfill this desire of his. He had to decide, ‘Do I stay and sit in my hurt and frustration that God said, no?,’ Or do I choose to move forward because there is still work to be done! We read that he chose the latter response and we get to learn from him… keep going, stay steadfast, work through the disappointment, God still has a plan and purpose in my life and there is work to be done in me!!!
NEW SEASON, TAKE A STEP
David did just that. Throughout his life we read how God’s favor was on him but it is GOD who moves him and David continues to take steps forward. David chooses to listen to the Lord and trust in who God says He is and GOD MOVES HIM! You see God had chosen David when he was just a little boy in a field herding sheep. He didn’t know what was ahead, but God did. Out of all of his brothers that Samuel was choosing from, he picked David, the last pick and the least likely choice. (1 Samuel 16) Out of His obedience and true love for the Lord, we read that God carries that favor throughout David’s lineage and brings Jesus Christ into the world! The same is true for you! You are chosen! (1 Peter 2:9) You have the favor of the Lord! (Isaiah 61:2-3) God calls you His own, He knew you in your mother’s womb! (Psalm 139:13) He has a future plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and desires for you to keep taking steps!
I know this is silly but I wasn’t meant to be a gymnast, I had to move forward. I can say now that I did move forward and played volleyball and basketball :). But on a serious note, looking back at my life there were so many moments that I can see God at work in my life. There have been times I can recall that it was time to move forward into the next season that the Lord had, but I often found myself not taking those next steps because of what I thought my life should have looked like or what it should have been. Or honestly times that I didn’t even know I was stuck and needed a true friend or family member to help me take a step forward into what and where God wanted me to be.
What season does God have you in right now? Is it a season He wants to move you from? Is it a season that you find yourself stuck in? Past failures, past desires, past shame, heartbreak, anxiety, depression? Or maybe you're right where you are supposed, dig in to that! But I pray as you read through this if the Holy spirit is tugging on your heart right now, TAKE A STEP! Start by asking the Lord for His perfect peace and understanding. Ask for His wisdom! His desire for your life is to continue to grow you and move you towards His heart. Towards your purpose in Him. You may find yourself like David, building something or in something only for the Lord to ask you to hand it over… Do you trust Him? He is for you, He is with you. (Isaiah 43:3) It will never be a straight line from here to there and we know that it is not going to be easy. He will take you down twists and turns and He is asking you right now to move…
TRUST HIM
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I want to encourage you today that you are not alone! If you are reading this right now, you are a part of an army of YA’ers that are here saying, ‘me too’ or staff members saying, ‘me too.’
If you find yourself stuck and you know you need help moving forward, here are some steps that may help you:
PRAYER - We have a team of prayer warriors waiting to pray for you and with you! https://my.redrockschurch.com/prayer
REACH OUT - Reach out to your amazing YA staff! They have “YA-ONE-ON -ONES” available! http://www.rrya.org/ Also, reach out to a family member or a friend that knows you and will help you find the Lord’s direction for your life
JOIN A GROUP - We have Groups at Red Rocks that are meeting weekly via Zoom or maybe safely face to face :), to encourage and support each other! Don’t do life alone!!! We were not made for that! https://www.redrockschurch.com/ministries/group-life/
NEW SEASON, TAKE A STEP