How to Enjoy Your Journey
Guest Post by Marianne Clements
All of us are on a journey in this life and we usually have a specific route we’d like to take – the shortest and simplest route. Unfortunately, the shortest and simplest isn’t always what is best and it’s not what usually happens in real life. We encounter roadblocks, detours, accidents, construction, traffic delays, stop signs, yield signals, etc. Sometimes you have to go over mountains and other times you get to coast. Whether it’s driving down the road or your journey through life, things are not always going to go the way you want or planned, but it can be a joyful journey.
I’ve been on my journey with Jesus for 11 years and I’m learning to enjoy my journey despite the fact that it rarely turns out the way I planned. My journey is a lot more joyful when I allow God to lead the way and when I trust Him even though I can’t see more than a few feet in front of me.
When I began my journey with Jesus, I had just started going to church for the first time in about 20 years. At that time, I was a heavy drinker and had several annoying, health issues. I also had major relationship issues and despite having a good job I was always concerned about money. Needless to say, living life on MY terms was not producing much positive fruit. I spent several years allowing God to prune me and help me get rooted and grounded in His love. That’s still ongoing, but in 2005, He gave me a hint of what kind of fruit I was going to bear.
On May 22, 2005 I was reading the devotional “Our Daily Bread” on the deck at my sister’s house when I realized that the radio in the background was broadcasting the exact same scripture I was reading. It was Ephesians 5:15-17:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (NIV)
When I went to work the next day, I noticed that I had these exact scriptures taped to my computer monitor. I had gotten them months earlier during a church service, but had become oblivious to them. I’m a little slow, but even I knew that this was not a coincidence — God was definitely speaking to me!
Unfortunately, I interpreted these scriptures negatively and believed that God was warning me that I was going to die soon and I needed to get my “house” in order. Thankfully, seven days later on May 30, God revealed the truth – I was not going to die, but live and tell what the Lord has done for me (Psalm 118:17).
I knew I was going to write, but I felt that God was leading me to type my journals first. I had three years of hand-written journals, so that was quite a task. I didn’t know why I needed to do that and I still don’t really know why, but I did it. Unfortunately, I encountered several roadblocks, delays and other issues, but I eventually finished typing my journals in early 2008. Less than one month later, God gave me “7 Steps to Victory” and I quickly developed a bookmark for the book I expected to write. For two years I tried writing a book, but it remained just a bookmark and a small website.
In 2010, I talked to a few people at work and asked them if they would be my pilot group for teaching “7 Steps to Victory”. The first class went well, so I decided to make some changes and teach it again to another group. After I finished teaching the second class, my friend and co-worker, Paula Fricton, asked me if I would teach her about the Bible, so I excitedly started teaching a Bible Overview class. The class ended February 2011, just before the company moved to a new location.
At that time, my husband and I felt that it was God’s will for me to leave the company and write a book. My last day at AT&T was March 31, 2011 – 7 years exactly from the day I started the job. I started Victory Christian Coaching with the intent of doing life coaching in addition to writing, but I’ve seen some stop signs and yield signs and right now I’m encountering construction delays in regards to my business.
The Bible Overview was the catalyst for my upcoming book, “The Bible in 7 Pieces” and I’ve spent about 1000 hours on it – a much longer journey than I expected. It’s been 8 years since God first told me I would write “a book” and I never would have imagined that my journey would be this long or this challenging, especially since God told me to do it. However, just like the journey of the Israelites in the desert, my grumbling and complaining has probably caused some of my delays and my control issues have caused the other delays. Thanks to God, I am nearing my Promised Land of publishing my first book and I learned that my lack of joy during my journey is due to my faltering faith and not a lack of God’s provision or promise.
Let’s Pray: Faithful Father, Thank You for Your abundant provision and wise direction throughout my journey. Amen.
QUESTION: How has God directed your journey? Leave a Comment
After several years of practicing the Seven Steps to Victory (sowing seeds) and allowing God to do some serious pruning, Marianne discovered her “house” had new life and began to reap an abundant harvest in her relationships, health and finances. In 2011 Marianne was able to heed God’s call on her life to leave the corporate world and start Victory Christian Coaching. Because of what God has done for her, she is passionate about helping others know Jesus and His Word…and His Victory. Join us in the Journey tomorrow on Purposeful Pathway Radio as Marianne shares her Victory in Christ.
