Stumbling into Place
We were created to co-labor with God, but rather than executing a well-laid plan, we often stumble into the place God has for us.
The following was the first blog post published on my old website, SharonOutlawHillam (dot) com. That was over five years ago, and I’m STILL stumbling along. 🤗
If you’re reading this, you’ve either stumbled upon it (amazing where you can wind up on the internet these days!) or I told you I was starting a blog! Either way, welcome! Hope you stick around to see what develops.
Speaking of stumbling, several years ago I watched a sermon by T.D. Jakes called Stumbling into Place. It’s one of Bishop Jakes’s classics. As events have recently developed (which led to starting this blog), I couldn’t help but be amused and amazed at how closely I could relate to what he brings out in this message as he tells the story of Ruth stumbling into her destiny. Check it out:
Many times in our lives, it is not our plans that get us into our destiny, most of the time, we stumble into the place that God wants us to be. — T.D. Jakes
Okay, granted, my starting this blog probably isn’t quite as dramatic as Ruth winding up in Boaz’s field, which led to him meeting and then marrying her, which, four generations later, produced King David!
But that doesn’t mean that what I’m doing isn’t valuable or worthwhile. I believe that everything we do in faith and obedience to His promptings and leading is good, and one way or another, it fits into His master plan for us and the kingdom of God.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (AMPC)
A co-laborer with God
In the introduction to his devotional, A Daily Invitation to Friendship with God: Dreaming With God to Transform Your World, Bill Johnson writes,
“…we were created to co-labor with God, seeing dreams and desires fulfilled. The fulfillment of dreams is, in part, our reason for being. God is looking for the Godlike dreams from His people shaping the course of history on planet earth. This is our privilege.”
Have I dreamed of being a blogger? I enjoyed blogging on BigChurch.com (where I met my husband, David) back in 2006 and thought I might get back into it in 2010. But then I ran into technical difficulties trying to set up my WordPress self-hosted site.1 I was also up to my eyeballs, managing our apartment business at the time, so I shelved the idea.
Then, a few weeks ago, my heart was stirred while reading Bill’s devotional. At the same time, God began to drop hints that writing would indeed be a part of my future.
Joyce Meyer, my favorite Bible teacher and the person who has had the most impact on me spiritually, often says, “Step out and find out!” So that’s what I’m doing.
I may be stumbling along, but I’m dreaming with my eyes wide open, believing that He will graciously enable me to share my thoughts, stories, and faith in a way that enlightens, encourages, and entertains you. (And maybe even keeps you coming back for more!)
I’ll end with my favorite song from the hit musical film, The Greatest Showman. May you also be inspired to dream with your eyes wide open. It is, after all, your privilege!
How about you? Have you dreamed, strategized, and executed a well-laid plan? Or, like me, you have found that no matter how much you plan your steps, you just keep stumbling along. 😀
Let me know. I love hearing from my readers.