From Faith to Faith: New Journey, Same God

 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

A couple of weeks ago I was led by God to make a post on social media saying the following:

"I thought when I said yes to God in moving to Atlanta that my faith walk would end there. Now after being here for almost 2.5 years, The Lord is calling me out of my comfort zone once again. I don't know exactly where I'm headed. I don't know exactly how I'm going to get there. I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to do there. I don't know how long I will be there. But I am confident that I do know the one who is sending me and that He has it all figured out! #newjourney #faithwalker #part2 #justthebeginning #waitingonGod #Hiswillnotmine #keepmeinyourprayers"

Even posting that was an act of faith. It literally took everything in me to publicly open up about the season God has me in, because I honestly would rather talk about this test after it's over and God has come through. You see by then I will have all the answers and be on the other side, where it's easier to be thankful and praise God. Then God begin to reveal to me that so many people are going through stuff and afraid to speak out about it. Now I am not saying that everyone needs to know every single thing that you are going through, but there are times when He asks us to open up and be transparent to comfort those who may be going through a similar test, trial, or season. So here I am writing this blog to tell you that God is faithful and will see you through whatever you are going through. I'm here to tell you that from the perspective of someone who is going through herself right now. I'm here praying that God gets the glory through this test and that my faith in Him is strengthened. I'm here to tell you that at the beginning of January I am leaving Atlanta and do not know yet exactly where I am headed. I'm here to tell you that I am trusting God and that I have no choice but to be Holy Spirit dependent in this season. I'm here to say that I don't have any of the answers, but that I do know God and am believing that He will continue to reveal His path to me, as I draw nearer to Him. I'm here to tell you that even if that means getting in my car and driving until He tells me to stop, I will do so. I know it sounds crazy and might not make sense, but that's why it's called faith. 

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

 Hebrews 11:6

Let me give you a little background on my story. In October of 2012, I was living in NYC when The Lord laid it on my heart that I was going to move to a new place, but He wouldn't say where. Then after diligently seeking Him for 2.5 months He revealed to me that I was to move to Atlanta and attend The Gathering Oasis Church. I ended up moving in June of 2013 and have been here ever since. The wisdom, knowledge, friendships, and growth that I have gained here are invaluable. Honestly I cannot imagine being anywhere else but here, in this season.

How many of you know that God's plan is typically different than what we imagine? I thought that I would live in Atlanta forever and Lord-willing get married and raise a family here. I thought that I would attend The Gathering Oasis Church until I went on to be with Jesus. I had this whole plan in my head of how my life would play out and guess what? I was completely wrong, because here it is almost 3 years later and once again God is tugging on my heart that it's time to step out of my comfort zone. It honestly still hasn't hit me yet. I mean Atlanta has really become my home, but for a few months now The Lord has been preparing me mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally to leave. The only place that has been on my heart thus far is Texas. I don't really know anything about Texas and I've only been there one time, which was at the end of September for one day. I'm not moving for a relationship, I'm not moving for a ministry, I'm not moving for a job. I'm moving for God. Now if any of those things shall added unto me then that's a bonus. God actually sat me down one day and said:

Will you go anyway?

Not for a man, not for a job, not for a ministry,  but for me?

Go because I sent you. 

Go because I have visions for you.

Go because I have plans for you.

Go because I have people for you to reach.  

Then a few weeks ago in my quiet time He said:

"Don't worry about where, I will show you. I am more concerned about you drawing nearer to me than I am showing you what's next. I want and desire to be close to you."

The planner in me is literally going crazy because in my mind I believe that I need to be searching for apartments, looking for jobs, and researching churches, but that's almost next to impossible when you don't know exactly where you are headed. But God continues to tell me that I don't need to know where I just need to trust Him. That this is a season for me to draw closer to Him and in that everything I need (every step, every instruction, every connection, every provision, etc.) will be revealed.

 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 

Romans 1:17

It truly is a test of my faith and I'm really understanding what it means to go from faith to faith. You see in order for my faith to grow God has to throw something new in the mix. If He had said you are leaving to go to this place, for this reason, and this timing that wouldn't have taken faith, because I've done that already. But the fact that I'm supposed to be leaving in about 7 weeks and still don't know exactly where is slightly terrifying and stretching my faith to the limits. He has been beyond faithful though to send people to offer words of encouragement & confirmation, just when I feel like throwing up my hands and quitting or when doubt tries to run rampant in my mind. Also a sister in Christ told me a few months ago to write down everything that I hear God speaking to me about and to read it often. I can't even describe how helpful it has been to go back on the days when I feel as if I'm going insane and refer back to God's last instructions or even how He answered my prayers through others.

"So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."

James 2:17

A few weeks ago, I went before The Lord and asked Him to make this whole move real for me. I actually prayed that prayer again this week, because it seems that as time goes by I am getting more and more comfortable here, which makes it easier for me to entertain the idea of staying. So I asked Him to give me tasks to complete to show that my faith is genuine. I know that faith without works is dead and He begin to tell me to cancel appointments for 2016, put my notice in to resign from my jobs, and to begin to transfer my duties at my church over to my successors. He also really begin to put it on my heart to complete every assignment I've been given.

"Your season here may be coming to an end, but remain faithful to complete that which I have laid before you."

It's so easy to get excited and caught up being concerned about what's next that we don't finish out strong where we are. I want to leave Atlanta knowing that I fulfilled every single assignment that God had for me here. I want to leave in the best way possible with peace, not confusion and drama.

Little by little, God is beginning to give me visions of what He is calling me to do, as I seek Him.  Even still it's crazy how one day I am super excited and the next day I can feel so drained and overwhelmed. Earlier this week I was super discouraged and just down in my feelings for almost 2 days. Last weekend The Lord laid it on my heart to revamp my cover letter and resume and send it to this particular dance school in Texas. Then I decided that should also look up churches and other jobs in that area (trying to add to God's instructions, as if they weren't sufficient).  Well the more I looked up stuff the more overwhelmed I began to feel. Then I made the mistake of starting to count the weeks and days that I have left here in Atlanta and anxiety, worry, and stress came over me. I literally began to question EVERYTHING and finally when I went to The Lord, He showed me the error of my ways and said:

 "You only feel overwhelmed when you try to do things in your own strength. It is a sign that you have stopped relying on me and my grace to be sufficient."

That stopped me dead in my tracks. I sat there and not only confessed my sins, but asked The Lord to help me trust Him more and allow what He has started in the spirit to actually be finished in the spirit. To help me SURRENDER it all...FOR REAL. I began to feel more empowered and at rest realizing that I do not have to create the path. All God has called me to do is keep walking on the path that He will show me, one step at a time. I'm so thankful for the few women in my life that God has shown I can trust and who truly hold me accountable. I know that if it weren't for their prayers and constant encouragement and correction, I would have quit a LONG time ago. This walk isn't easy, but if this is what it takes for God to get glory through my life then I shall and must endure.

 

So yes I am headed on a new journey, but I am following the same God that led me to Atlanta. If He did it before, He can truly do it again. I'm nervous, but excited to see what God will do and how everything will pan out. I just want to go where He needs me to be, even if it's to another country. If He can lead Abraham, Elijah, the disciples, and other believers all over the world to where they needed to be, I have to trust that He can lead me too.


If you feel led to pray for me, I would so appreciate it.
Pray that I will stay consistent in seeking The Lord.
Pray that I will hear God's instructions and follow through with obedience.
Pray that I will not let fear of the unknown keep me from moving forward.
Pray that I will not let the attacks of the enemy cause me to get discouraged. 
Pray that I will not try to do this in my own strength.
Pray that ultimately God will get ALL the glory that He deserves from this!

This song has been on my heart for weeks now and really has helped me remember how great The God I serve is! HE TRULY IS ABLE!!!

Until next time,

Cierra 

xoxo

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Email: cierracotton@gmail.com