This can be so difficult to do! I have a Type A personality. I like to be in control, I like answers and I hate unknowns. So to ask me to rest, be at ease or relax in the face of all or any of my unknowns is extremely difficult, if not impossible, without God. In fact, left to myself I will do this: 1. Think about it 2. Talk to someone else about it. 3. Think about what we discussed. 4. Talk about more and start to feel anxious. 5. Repeat Cycle.

This is no way to live. Wanna know why? Because life is full of more unknowns than knowns and you will spend your whole life waiting for something to become to clear to you. The best thing we can do in those moments is learn to Rest in the unknown. You can rest in the unknown because: (this is the why)

1)      You will not be disappointed in the outcome-Psalm 25:3 No one waiting for you will be disgraced; disgrace awaits those who break faith for no reason.

- Looking back on my life there has never been anything that God has given me that I have been disappointed in. Perhaps things/situations that I put myself in but nothing that he gave… God doesn’t fail and he never misses the mark!

2)      God is Good- Romans 8:28- all things work together for our good, God is good and he does good things! For him to be any other way would be inconsistent with his character

3)      You can laugh without fear of the future- Proverbs 31:25 says “she is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” I believe God tells us to laugh because he wants us to enjoy our lives now, during the waiting and the resting and in the unknown. If he wanted us to wonder, worry or have anxiety he would have told us that too.

             (How) to rest in the unknown)

1)      Keep your eyes on God and not the chaos- Psalm 121 says “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help…” Fix your eyes on Jesus knowing that he has it all under control. Don’t look at your problems.  Sometimes the chaos and craziness of the world has a way of seeping into your spirit, creating anxiety and robbing you of the ability to rest. Gaze at what you want to be reflected (in your life).

2)      Discuss if you must, but with spiritually mature people- Proverbs 24:6 – “For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”

 do not discuss with everyone – Find a spiritual person that you can confide in- to build up your faith and encourage you, then get over in - and stay in faith.

3)      Remind yourself of God’s promises and meditate on them- Joshua 1:8 states "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." Then you will be prosperous and successful. The way to be successful in this (resting in the unknown) is to keep God’s word at the forefront of your mind and heart.

When your thoughts begin to spiral in a negative direction about what is going to happen and what is not happening bring them back with reminders that “God is sovereign,” that even though we don’t know all, he does and in his perfect timing all will manifest and what needs to be revealed will be revealed. We don’t have to wonder when we know the God who knows and when it is time for us to know, we will.

My last relationship ended in 2012 and I didn’t get into another one until 2016. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t go on a date. I guess nobody really asked that I was interested in. There were a few conversations here and there but nobody that had staying power for more than a week.... and do you know what? I don’t think I really cared...Yes, There were certainly some times where I felt discouraged like "Where is my husband God?" Everybody else is getting married and I can't even get a good date lol...  But those were the years that I really learned to rest in his promises. I found peace in knowing that he had a husband for me, I just wasn’t married to him yet. Somehow God made it well with me... I think I realized that relationships were too much work to give yourself to someone or something that’s not right or that’s not gonna work. God did not call us to give ourselves to every thing or everyone one. During those 4 years I really worked on myself. I went to counseling, spent time with my family, took a few trips and really just tried to learn to be ok outside of a relationship. 

What's my point? My point is that in those years it would have been easy to fret over not being in a relationship. I could have been worried about the fact that I didn't even have any good prospects. But guess what? It would have robbed me of the enjoyment of those 4 years, it would have robbed me of the spiritual growth and new friendships that came along with being single. Ultimately, it would have robbed me of my peace and it didn't need to. If God has promised you a husband don't worry about the fact that you haven't met him, a promise is a promise. You don't know who he is but God does. 

When I set my mind to enjoying the life that God gave me I began to experience the Peace of God.  Being single can been a bittersweet experience. Bitter because sometimes you get tired of being single lol but sweet because God has a funny way of making it alright. Revel in the sweet moments that bring you peace and ask God to keep you from getting discouraged just because you may not have had a date or aren't in a relationship. My constant prayer to God is always "God have your way, but whatever you do make it well with my soul. When you learn to find the peace that only God gives it WILL be well with your soul.

So let me start by saying that I really feel like 2018 is my year lol!!. Honestly I think it's going to be a good year for a lot of us. Coincidentally, it is the year of harvest at my church (harvest is the theme) but I've heard that confirmed by a lot of different pastors that I don't even know so there must be something to it. It's so exciting to think about all that lies ahead. Though it remains unknown I know it's going to be good! 

Soooo here's the thing about the harvest... you only get what you plant. Now the good thing is that in the economy of God you always get wayyyyy more out than you put in. However, it doesn't change the fact that you still have to put in... I believe so much of this year is going to be shaped by what we are willing to do. Matthew 9:37 says that “the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” That means there is a harvest for each of us. There is more than enough to go around. There is a portion measured out just for you! Joyce Meyers said that the promises of God are not positively-s  but possibilities. You have to go get it. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” When we give God our all even though our all is literally a seed in comparison to what he will give back- that's when he multiplies us and our efforts. The Bible calls him the lord of the harvest for a reason. I believe that when Jesus spoke this verse (9:37). He looked around at all there was to do in his ministry and saw the potential for the harvest (people who’s lives were saved lives) but realized that the laborers are few. There are blessings, and opportunities stored up for those willing to work. Whatever the work is that God has called you to or the passion that he has placed in your heart, there is a harvest in it if you’re willing to plant for it.

The promises of God in 2018 are already there we just have to take advantage of them. Don't be afraid to take your quiet time with God to the next level this year, serve faithfully at church, & let go of whatever is keeping you from following God wholeheartedly. Don't miss the harvest because you failed to plant