I am proud to have GUEST BLOGGER Jennifer Rhodes as the author of today’s blog.  I am also blessed to call her my friend, wife, and mother of our beautiful children.  I hope this blog will bless you as it has me.  Leave her a comment and let her know what you think.

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For the first time in a long time I believe I have figured out where I am spiritually and, quite possibly, why I’m in this position.  Shocking for someone who has been a Christian over nearly three decades, huh?  In the last few hours I have admitted to myself, spiritually, I’ve been “going nowhere and gettin’ there fast!”  I’ve realized I have become complacent and rather lazy, spiritually speaking.  I have taken on the comfort of simply living, or existing rather, and accepted this attitude and circumstances surrounding it were fine.  Why not just be comfortable? A particular circumstance has recently risen that has challenged my thinking to the core.  Not only did it challenge but it provoked me to work through the emotions that had attached themselves.  Today, thankfully, I find myself feeling very free.  That single situation pushed me to desire fulfillment of my destiny in Him.  It has pushed, or rather forced, me out of my complacency.  It has also made me identify areas in life I have the capacity for but are not challenging enough for me.  In this whirlwind of thoughts and emotions I have decided not to step back rather attempt to step forward into things I otherwise would have never pursued.  The song “Oceans” has really ministered to me lately because it describes where I feel I am currently.  Some of the lyrics describe being led to places that feet could never wander as my faith becomes stronger.  That particular line has become my prayer.  I want to be led into places I could not find for myself — with abandonment and trust in His perfect will for my life.

I also question if God has not allowed me to travel to this dry place to assist me in becoming miserable enough to move forward in Him.  I think about the story of Lot’s wife and how she looked back on what was comfortable on her way to, quite possibly, her destiny.  Until this dry season if God had forced me out of my (chosen) complacency I would have been like Lot’s wife.  I, too, would have found myself looking back and wondering what might have been.  I feel sure Sodom, even with its adversities, brought comfort for this lady simply because it was familiar–possibly even predictable.  It was her home, her norm, despite the fact her spiritual situation was not getting any better.  No doubt she had made a life there and was comfortable.  I question if she looked back because her husband encouraged her to leave those things behind.  Maybe she had not quite made up her mind for herself but loved him enough to go.  Maybe she had to have one more look back at what she had created before she could move forward.  Unfortunately, that one look cost her life.  Scripture tells us, “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)  I consider this Scripture and context question if it relates to looking back instead of moving full force and whole heartedly into a new season.  I’m curious if God holds off the new spiritual seasons until we are ready to be completely done with the old.  Until we become sick and tired of being sick and tired.  What is your comfortable place….a certain unhealthy relationship, a lukewarm relationship with Christ, a paralyzing fear of stepping out in faith????  I wonder if He isn’t making me sick of the old and complacent to move me into the new…….quite possibly my destiny in Him?  I’m almost there.  Are you?

**If you haven’t already done so take the time to listen to the link above.  I’m sure it will bless you!**