I wasn’t expecting the invitation to write a book. God’s timing often seems out-of-sync in the present, but when the event is in my rear-view mirror, I can see His perfect wisdom in ordering life the way He has.
I was already stretched beyond where I’d ever walked. My father was in his final days of battling lymphoma. It had been a long season, and I was spent physically and emotionally. I was desperately living in moment-by-moment dependence on God. And yet, I knew the request was more than an invitation—I knew it was an assignment—an assignment from God. The question was, would I accept His assignment? Would I trust Him and tap His heart for the needed resources in order to do what He’d called me to do?
I did say yes to Him, and I want to share a few things I’ve been learning while in the gap with God:
- The gap is the place to cry. Crying can be a really good thing if it’s crying out for help—not crying in self-pity and despair. God delights in responding to our cries for Him to show up in ways only He can.
- Obedience brings peace. When I finally released and committed, I was filled with the settling peace that only He can give. Not that the assignment hasn’t been challenging—far from it—but His peace has been tangible in the gap.
- Pressing into Him for needed resources has provided the grace needed for the assignment. All along the way He’s provided: input from friends who have writing expertise, people to encourage and supply wisdom, friends who faithfully intercede in prayer, and a great team at Moody Publishers who are shepherding me through the process.
- The gap is where I want to stay! As I’ve surrendered to this assignment, pressed beyond the terror, fought the inner doubts with truth from His Word, and applied myself to diligent work . . . God has brought me to a place of deep joy.
I’d like to hear about God’s assignment for you. Are you in the gap with God or are you running from His assignment?
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