Do you feel stagnant? Like you are trying to accelerate, but your car is going nowhere? There are truths when you feel stuck. Do you know them?
At times, we all feel stuck. We wonder, “Are we making a difference? Serving a purpose? Changing lives? Impacting the world? Is our life adding up to anything meaningful?”
Like a car spinning its wheels, we feel the same. Round and round we go – going nowhere. Pushing and pushing with all our might – but we stay suck. Pressing and pressing our gas pedals – but our wheels dig in deeper.
It’s aggravating. Frustrating. Demoralizing.
It doesn’t matter if we steer in the right direction, because we aren’t going anywhere. So, we look up to God, and ask, “Why?” We feel like giving up.
I sludged around in the mud for so long. I spent much of my life working in jobs that never satisfied. I often arrived to work with a smile – and left for home with a frown. I felt purposeless. Passionless. And, disappointed in myself.
During this time, I realized:
To live without cause is to feel like a fraud.
To not make a difference is to become indifferent.
To fake like you’re okay is to put on a good play.
To not see results feels like an insult.
I believed – and still believe – this is not how God intends us to live. God desires us to be authentic, patient and enduring.
Yet, so many days, I can return to this place of “stuck”. I may want bigger progress. More lives changed. I may want to do better spiritually. Or to be a better mom. Or to have circumstances improve. I may just want to feel closer to God.
Often, I just feel stuck.
But, God is faithfully teaching me that, many times, he is diligently at work to get me unstuck from life’s muck. Even more, we tend to best receive the Lord’s sermons when we are stuck in muck.
It is here where we can’t move, where we have to wait, where we must be still. And, we hear the Lord in profound ways.
The Lord has 3 critical lessons he wants us to grab hold of, instead of our life’s steering wheel:
1. God has us just where he wants us to be.
He knows where we are. He sees us. He has not forgotten about us. This place of frustration is a place of transformation. It is in this place, where we must stop and wait on him. It is here where we can find his love, his direction and his guidance.
It’s in these places of “wait” where God’s work really gets started. This muddy ground is his best working ground. It is here, where he molds us – growing us in patience, endurance and perseverance.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
2. He is preparing, reforming and transforming us to do his work.
Fear not. Even though we feel stuck, it doesn’t mean our lives have gone amuck. Because it’s here we can choose to trust, grow and sow. As we sow faith, we let go of fear. As we let go of fear (sometimes the fear of mediocrity), true purpose surfaces – it is here we find – our calling.
The bottom line of true calling is pleasing and serving the Lord.
When we let go of fear and indifference – we start making a difference.
We understand that he is at work – in us – instead of us demanding to have him work – through us.
We spin our wheels less and he produces more and more fruit. Fruit that we can go share with others. In this, we find rest, encouragement and renewed passion.
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)
3. God put a calling in our hearts. Listen and follow.
God made us with a purpose and for a purpose. Perhaps we are still in the training stages. An Olympian cannot just walk out on the track and get the gold. Likewise, there are hard training days that accompany our work for the Lord. We have to put the hard work in. Work that is endless, tiring and ongoing.
God is sovereign; he decides the proper time to exalt us. We can wait on him. Even if that time of exaltation is at heavens door, we can still trust in his plan.
Let’s not miss the moment. Because the most important calling for our lives is not the one we dream of – but the one that he has already placed in front of us – for this exact moment. Let’s not miss it.
Let’s call out to the Lord.
He will help us.
His words will guide us in our way.
When we stop focusing on our circumstances and start focusing on him – things start to happen.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Ps. 32:8)
We can’t give up our drive; this was placed in us by God. But, we must keep our eyes on the one who provides “the way”. Then, in God’s perfect timing, our wheels will stop spinning – and start moving us to destinations we never dreamed.
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Kelly! Thanks for bringing together a community of encouragers! Thank you for being the ultimate cheerleader for Him! He is using your willing spirit in amazing ways. Many blessings, Mindy
Thank you Mindy! I feel so honored to be his vehicle of love. This is what this is all about. We are so busy encouraging others, that we sometimes get left in the dust. Feel the love for you, my sister in Christ! I am so glad you joined me in this. Go inspire the world. I am behind you – and, more importantly, so is God!
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Kelly, so good! This post is so good. We have all been in that place of STUCK, and we must remember that nothing, nothing, nothing comes to us that has not already passed through the hand of God, the heart of Jesus, straight through to us. Because of that, we can trust Him to only allow those things and situations into our lives that align with His purpose and plan for us. I have a friend, Pat Layton, who has a book coming out in 2015 called, “Life Unstuck”. I’m looking forward to reading it. Merry Christmas!
“The bottom line of true calling is pleasing and serving the Lord.
When we let go of fear and indifference – we start making a difference.
We understand that he is at work – in us – instead of us demanding to have him work – through us.” That is some good stuff. Love this and so much more in this post. Keep pushing us forward head cheerleader. God is using you in mighty ways. xxxooo
I am so glad that it was encouraging to you Carmen! What a blessing to be used by the Lord to encourage a Godly woman like you. Praise God that he has big plans for us – in today! Merry Christmas to you, sweet Carmen.
[…] (This post is part of #RaRaLinkup hosted by @kellybalarie over at her place, http://www.purposefulfaith.com.) […]
So, this is where I’m at today, “Because the most important calling for our lives is not the one we dream of – but the one that he has already placed in front of us – for this exact moment.” Yes, those words are for me, Kelly. For this exact moment. <3 Blessings to you this Christmas week! Thank you for being faithful to write for Him.
Yes, I completely understand. It is easy to go to this place. We have dreams, but God so badly wants us to rest in today with him. This is a fight for me – for sure. You are doing such an amazing job Meredith. You have built such an incredibly beautiful site through your words and through your eye. It is very unique and it shows the Lord’s glory.
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Love this Kelly: “This place of frustration is a place of transformation.” Oh, do I need to embrace transformation in my moments of frustration these days! Thanks especially for that one sentence! It was exactly what I needed.
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Thank you. Your post is just what I needed to hear. At each point, it is heaven sent.
Love your post AND the link up. So much “meat and potatoes” for my soul! Thank you for sharing your heart and for hosting.
~Candy
What a wonderful link-up! It’s nice to have another positive outlet on the web–we need ’em!
Kelly,
Thank you for hosting this encouraging link-up and thanks for the Twitter reminder! 🙂 I love what you write about God planting a purpose in our hearts and in his time, he will bring it to pass. Love that truth!
Hey Valerie! It’s a joy to have you here. It’s all about God’s timing, right? He is known for being perfect and we are known for being impatient. Or, at least I am. HA! Let’s rest in his will for us today. Thank you for reading my post. I feel blessed by you.
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“God has us right where He wants us to be.”
Wow! That alone is a spirit full. This place is so exciting and overwhelming…all at the same time. It is difficult not know the next real move. But I have to trust that if God has me where He wants me, surely He can get me to where He wants me to be next.
Thank for sharing Kelly…always!
God sees where you are Yolanda – and has you set in just the right way to accomplish his purposes. Your are so in tune to the Spirit and he will guide you in all your ways. I can’t wait to see where you are led and how it all plays out. I know it will be great because God is great. You are so open and willing and that is worth 100 cheers. Love you sister.
Kelly, these truths speak so much to where I am right now. Thank you, friend. I believe so much of our growth takes place in the journey. That is when God molds us to be more like himself. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Abby, I am so glad that this speaks to your heart. It is something I grapple with myself. Being ok in the present is sometimes so hard, as you know. Let’s rejoice in our point in the journey today, sister. I think God has done great things through us and for us. We are so blessed. Cheering you on because there is so much to affirm about you and what you have to say. Merry Christmas Abby!
“Listen and Follow”, I love it. He said my sheep know my voice and they follow. True disciples follow closely on the heels of Jesus. Praying we all have the faith and discipline to follow the Master today.
Amen Tyra! Let us be quiet enough to hear and wise enough to follow his call and his ways. This is a great prayer for all of us. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this Linkup. We are all encouraged.
Thanks for the invitation to join your community. I’m linked up and ready for some good reading this afternoon during nap time.
The reading is so encouraging and so centered on truth Jenny. I know you will be blessed. Thanks for joining me!
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This is exactly where I am at right now as I contemplate a New Year and where God wants me to go I am enjoying a time of seeking him and hearing him – this post is such an encouragement. Thank you 🙂
I am so glad this post met you where you are. This is what it is all about. I pray you hear from the Lord in a powerful way this Christmas!
Thank you for the encouragement today 🙂 I am currently in a season of so many unknowns…I don’t even know where we’ll be on Christmas Day yet!! It’s easy to get consumed in questioning thoughts but I am right where God wants me to be 🙂
Blessings and Merry Christmas xx
So excited about joining this community! Thank you to Katie Reid for letting me know about it! Merry Christmas!
We are so glad you are here. I am so glad that Katie invited you too!
Aaaand 3 rejections later(all in one letter) I’m definitely feeling stuck. I had 3 others last month. Suddenly, I start to see all the books that line the shelves or libraries, book stores, and even my own house and wonder if my words matter. I wonder if I should just quit.
But then My spirit preaches truth to me and I am encouraged. And these rejections? They’re God’s way of saying “That might be what YOU want, but that’s not what I want for you.”
So, a door slammed in my face is God’s gentle leading toward HIS best for me! ☺️
That is so right Christy. The Lord does have a plan for you in this. It can feel so hard and hurt so bad in the moment – but the gift in the long run is so beautiful. God give us what we need, not always what we want. I am praying right now for you Christy…that the Lord opens powerful doors for you. Don’t lose hope – God hasn’t lost hope in you. Don’t give up – you may be one more letter away from an acceptance. Keep pressing on – God has wise lessons in store for you. Thank you for joining me in this Christy; I am honored to have you. I can’t wait to see what the Lord does with your words.
Kelly, thank you for your sweet encouragement and prayers! It is that old significance beast whispering in my ear again! Jesus made Himself of no reputation and submitted to a horrible death. I have a loving God who deserves fame and recognition. He will send and prosper the word that HE put in my heart WHEREVER HE WANTS! And if that means a lifetime of rejection letters, it’s okay-someone had to read it in order to say “no”!! Ha!
Thank you so much for providing a place of encouragement!
The pleasure is all mine Liz. I am so glad that you are part of it. I am excited to get to know you more and to encourage each other!
Kelly, such a good reminder to focus on Christ, not on ourselves or our circumstances. If we look to Him instead, we are better able to be sensitive to His leading and see His hand at work in us or around us. Sometimes our wheels might just keep spinning because we need to be still and wait. Thanks for your encouraging post!
Gayl, thank you for your words. You are so right; we must be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. When we let him lead, he leads us in light. It is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your life with us! I am cheering you on. Much love and Merry Christmas!
Well, this cheerleader is a little late to the game, but God knew I would need to hear this message this morning. Thanks for yet again encouraging my heart. 🙂 May you have a very Merry Christmas! Oh, I would love for you to join my link-up, Saturday Soiree Blog Party. It opens Friday night at 8:00 est here at http://faithalongtheway.com. I’d love to have you join me!
God’s timing is perfect Sarah! Don’t you love it? Will check out your linkup too. Thanks for joining us as a cheerleader of faith!
I love this. Tearing up as I am reading. I have had a hug and lengthy battle with anxiety, which become even worse as our daughters were born. I felt like I was doing so wonderfully, until a few weeks ago, when family health issues hit my mom. She is doing much better now, but it has rocked our world, and has forced a lot of those unsettling feelings back in. Have not really been enjoying preparing for the holidays. This post is perfect. Right now I feel “stuck”. Out of my smooth-sailing, progress-making happier place, and back into an existence of fear and worry. Working once again for Him to push me out, asking for His guidance all along the way. Blessings to you!
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Kelly- I’m linking up late because I switched blog hosts this week and wasn’t quite ready. But… I’m so glad I stopped by! I needed to read this. How true that being “Stuck in the Muck” is usually God’s Grace in my life. Stuck to hear, be still, and receive His direction. Your words are beautifully crafted and your message is encouraging. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your words Karen! I am delighted that you are a part of the RaRalinkup. It is a joy to have you. I look forward to reading your words too. Much love.
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Four years later, I’m in a tough situation nothing seems to be going right. I see your post and also that it was written in 2014 but then I say to myself God’s word is new every morning.
So I open this in a new tab, after reading two articles I was still feeling down and was considering not reading this but for some reason I do and it caught my attention and described my current situation and I felt myself connecting to what you were saying as soon as I read up to the heading for point 1 I was crying and laughing at the same time and I just felt peace and relief. My situation hasn’t turned around but I’ve got a reason to keep on keeping on till it does. Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless you!
Thanks sister for this message. I’m in a place where I feel like I am stuck. There is a great call of God on my life and I’ve been in these many years of preparation which seems endless. Thank God I now know God is busy working in me even though I feel like I am stuck.
It’s January 22, 2020 and the posted is talkin about how I feel. And everyday I just want to give up because I have been stuck for years and I am beginning to really wonder what is it all about? But this article really did Shine some light ,I’m going to reread it and reread it until something get unstuck. God bless and thanks I glad I stumbled across this article.