Take Your Place

Standing by a river in central Germany
I was temporarily living in Toronto in 1996 when the Lord revealed He was calling me to go to Germany. Initially I wasn’t excited about the idea. But by the time I made my third Germany trip in 2003, I would have been content to spend the rest of my life there. Instead God directed me to visit other parts of Western Europe until I returned to America. Since then I’ve mostly spent seasons living on the East Coast and in the Upper Midwest. 

One of the greatest frustrations a believer can experience is not knowing where God wants them to be. Many times we need to take action on what we know before He gives us additional direction. In Genesis 12, Abram was directed by the Lord to leave his home country but didn’t receive further instructions until he started moving. You cannot steer a parked car.

Lack of provision can also be a sign we’re not where God has assigned us to be. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah was commanded to go to the brook Cherith where the ravens fed him. Later the prophet was instructed by the Lord to go to a widow woman who temporarily provided for him. By this time the brook dried up and the ravens no longer provided food. 

Sometimes spiritual warfare occurs even if we are in the right place. The Apostle Paul certainly went through that during his missionary journeys. While living in Pensacola, Florida, I went through all kinds of opposition even though I knew God called me there for that season in my life. As Winston Churchill once said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” 

Don’t let fear or natural circumstances cause you to avoid going where God has assigned you to be. Take your place!

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 
- Philippians 3:14

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