Moving and Much-Afraid
The prospect of moving soon has brought me much fear. Moving away from Ames, not so much the city as the people. A people and church family I have known for over 20 years. These are the people that shared the good news with me, that taught me how to read the Bible, pray, draw near to Him. They have taught me to open up, share my feelings and take it all to God. Now God has a different path for me.
I recently took a personal retreat with a couple of other women. Most of the time was spent alone praying, reading, listening. However, we all came together a couple of times. During one of these times Dawn read a couple of chapters from a book called “Hinds’ Feet on High Places”. Although I had heard of this book since my first years as a Christian I had never read it. A friend of mine had even shared a small portion of it with me but I did not quite connect at the time.
This time however, it hit me right in the heart. I took the book home and read the whole thing. The book is about a woman whose name is Much-Afraid, she lives in the valley of Humiliation with her family the Fearings. However, she has chosen to work for the Shepherd who is the Fearings enemy. The Shepherd asks Much-Afraid to go on a journey with Him. She accepts and He plants the seed of Love in her heart. They begin the journey, but it is very difficult for Much-Afraid.
I suggest you read the book to get the full impact of the story, especially if you are going through tough times right now. There are many parts that touched me, especially how gentle and caring the Shepherd always was with Much-Afraid, even in times of doubt and fear. One particular time when Much-Afraid was dreading what was coming next the Shepherd tells her:
“Much-Afraid, don’t ever allow yourself to begin trying to picture what it will be like. Believe me, when you get to the places which you dread you will find that they are as different as possible from what you have imagined”
God has been teaching me that he holds me in His arms and protects me. Psalm 138: 8 says that “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever…” Also , in Psalm 145: 8-9, 13b “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. … The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” As He takes me to new and different places I just need to remember these things: do not try to imagine what it will be like and He is good and is with me always. Even as I learn these things, and sometimes have doubts, He is faithful.
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