I know what it is like to WALK ON WATER… [2012 End of the Year Reflections] Matthew 14:22-34 Greetings! BlogFam, as I begin to reflect on my life over this
past year, I have to go all the way back to Tuesday, November 22, 2011 because
that was truly the beginning of a NEW YEAR for me. My 2012 really began on Tuesday, November 22,
2011 when I felt very deeply the Holy Spirit calling me to Step out of the Boat
of my then current place of employment.
I have shared a portion of my story in previous posts and today I
celebrate that my obedience to the Spirit’s leading me in 2011 has already
positioned me for an even GREATER 2013. In November 2011, my church was talking about VISION
and what was next on the horizon for the church. I was looking forward to all that God had in
store for the ministry and the Holy Spirit whispered to me one day that it was
time for me to pray about my own VISION for MY life. So for 21 days, I fasted and prayed about
what God’s VISION was for Delesslyn. I
was listening to a sermon by Bishop T.D.Jakes and one of the scriptural texts
he used as a sermonic illustration was Matthew 14 when Peter walks on water. For some reason, that illustration, that
passage of scripture deeply resonated with me early on in my fast and I began
to read and pray that text every day, multiple times a day. Well, on Sunday, November 20, I was sitting in
church and as the pastor was preaching, I know that I heard the Spirit say to
me – “Delesslyn, YOU WILL WALK ON WATER in 2012.” And I could not shout right then because
while I felt an overwhelming sense of peace I did not fully understand what
that meant. On Tuesday, November 22, I
got up early to pray and I prayed what Peter prayed when he saw Jesus walking
on water but was not sure it was Him.
Peter said, Lord, if it be you, bid me to come.” I prayed what Peter prayed. And by midday, the Lord said to me, just as
he said to Peter, “Come.” Friends, I resigned from my job on that ONE word
from the Lord and I never looked back. BlogFam, my 2012 really began on Tuesday, November
22, 2011 and when I walked out of my office for the very last time, I began to
WALK ON WATER. Now, let me be clear… I
am NOT advocating that you just up and leave your job or your marriage or your
house or any of your obligations because of my testimony but I am saying that
you must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit
leads you to, through, and away from whatever or whomever is not a part of your
life’s next chapter. When I stepped out of the boat, I did not know what
was next or who I would meet or where I would end up but I knew that I had made
the BEST choice for me because I had obeyed the voice of the Lord. And YES, I have had to remind myself of that
many times over this year but when I tell you that I have walked in favor
because of my obedience to the one who called me to WALK ON WATER in the first
place, I hope that you are encouraged and motivated to seek to hear the voice of
the Lord for yourself! This entire year has been a year of truly walking by
faith for every meal and for every bill and the Lord has NOT been slack
concerning His promises. I had no clue
how radically different my life would be when I prayed that prayer and obeyed
the Lord’s summons to COME. I did not
know exactly what to expect and for this entire year, I have had to lean and
depend upon Jesus in ways that make me even more grateful for the basic
necessities of life that we, too often, take for granted. My sisters and brothers, my life has been filled
with transitions over the last year in every way and everything has worked together
for my good. Now, I admit that, like
Peter, when the winds and the waves made my steps a little wobbly, I cried out
to the Lord and I held even tighter to His hand because I felt like no one that
I knew truly understood what I was going through and I knew that I had to continue
to press my way through. But, unlike
Peter, I was determined to stay on the water.
I was NOT getting back in anybody’s boat. I wanted to WALK ON WATER to the next
destination the Lord had prepared for me.
And so I did. And today, I have the testimony that I know what it
is like to WALK ON WATER. It has not
been easy. I have not been perfect. BUT GOD has always been faithful to order my
every step, catch me when I slipped, and even to carry me when I felt like I
was drowning. I would not change
anything about my 2012, that started on November 22, 2011 and as I prepare to
walk into 2013, I pray that I will NEVER forget all the lessons I have learned
and the miracles I have seen in my own life.
I am stronger. I am better. I am wiser. And I am still WALKING ON WATER! BlogFam, as we come to a close of another year –
WHAT ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO DO IN THIS NEXT YEAR? Are you being called to WALK ON WATER? Are you being summoned to BE STILL? Are you being compelled to just BE FAITHFUL
and to PERSEVERE until you receive your next instruction? I pray that you are OPEN to the most genuine
voice inside of you. I pray that you are
LISTENING and that you will TRUST and OBEY the instructions of the Holy in your
life. I pray that you will not negotiate
regarding the decisions you need to make regarding your destiny and I pray that
you will courageously leave behind anyone and anything that would hinder you from
experiencing God’s very best for your life. BlogFam, YOU ARE READY to WALK ON WATER!!! YOU ARE SET to WALK ON WATER!!! Now GO WALK
ON WATER and DO NOT LOOK BACK!!! HAPPY NEW "WALKING ON WATER" kind of YEAR!!! God LOVES You and I Do Too!!!
Delesslyn A. Kennebrew PLEASE Purchase my book, STEP OUT OF THE BOAT for a more in depth reflection on Matthew 14... A product of my journey this year... JOIN a NEW Social Media Movement - MY VISION FAST: It's Time For You To SEE! Coming in January 2013 and we want YOU to join us! FOLLOW @MyVISIONFast JOIN Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/MyVISIONFast and |