"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
After Briston and I got married in August 2021, we prayed everyday for WHERE God wanted us to live and WHEN He wanted us to move there. Briston had just started his senior year of college and I was in my last year of grad school. We knew we couldn't move until fall 2022 (after we both graduated) but still wanted to know where God was calling us as a married couple and when He wanted us to be there.
The First Sign - Confirmation through Prayer
It's important to pray together and individually as a married couple. Briston and I learned this early on through marriage counseling. We were encouraged to set a daily time to pray together and separately.
Multiple times during Briston's alone times with the Lord, he would ask God, "where should we live after graduation?", and multiple times he would hear in his mind, "Longview." Briston has always wanted to move back to Texas after college, but his desire was to move to central Texas, like Waco area-not Longview. He kept asking God where we should move and over and over he kept hearing, "Longview."
The Second Sign - Confirmation through another Person
As I was making my breakfast before work one morning, Briston walked into the kitchen and noticed our Texas cutting board displayed under the microwave. The cutting board has the shape of Texas engraved with major cities labeled throughout the state. He pointed at Longview and said, "Carley I think this is where God wants us to move. Every time I pray about where we should live, I hear Longview." Although I did not laugh like Sarah from the Bible, I was skeptical and wanted to make sure this was where God was leading us. Moving is a big deal, and I wanted clear guidance about where God was calling us."Okay," I responded, "But I'm going to need some confirmation."
Confirmation is a tangible/outward sign that confirms what you feel the Lord is telling you inwardly. One example from the Bible is when King Hezekiah gets sick and the Lord says that He will heal him. Hezekiah asks, "What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me..." and Isaiah says, "This will be sign to you from the Lord: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered, "let the shadow go backward ten degrees." The shadow going backward ten degrees was confirmation to Hezekiah that the Lord had healed Hezekiah. It was a sign that his sickness was gone.
Similarly I wanted a sign that either confirmed or denied us moving to Longview. Not even 10 minutes later, Briston entered SAU's cafeteria to eat breakfast. The older gentleman standing at the entrance started a conversation with Briston and asked if he was planning on moving after graduation. Briston replied, "I don't know. My wife and I are still figuring that out."
Then the man said, "I'm from Longview and it's a really great area to live."
The Third Sign - Confirmation through a Dream
Even though we were awestruck about the second sign, I still wanted another confirmation from the Lord. Our third confirmation came to Briston in a dream. We were at a church conference looking at a stage. A prophetess on the platform looked at us and said, "Longview." I then whisper to Briston that it was the confirmation I needed, and he awoke.
Three signs three different ways. I'm so thankful He confirmed the move that many times. Throughout Scripture God spoke through people, dreams, and prayer. Please do not make decisions on your own understanding. If we apply what Proverbs 3:5 says, He will direct our every steps! But we must trust Him with All our heart AND acknowledge Him in ALL our ways! This verse isn't just talking about the big decisions but every decision. Your Heavenly Father wants to show you His plans for your life and confirm His guiding. I encourage you to ask and seek confirmation for decisions in your life. No decision is too small or too big, trust me! He wants to be a part of it all!
What Next?
Ask God if there's any decisions you're trying to make on your own will instead of seeking His guidance. Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Repent for living on your own will instead of walking in His. Say, "Father, I repent for living on my own terms instead of on the plans You have prepared for me."
Ask God for His direction on decisions you need to make in your life:
Plans after high school/college/current job situation
Dating/friend/family relationships
Moving/Relocation
Money/purchase decisions
Finding a home church
Work/life balance
Children
Finding identity & purpose
Stay tuned for Part 2: How God provided for our move to Longview.
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