The Wellspring

My expectations were set, yet there in the muddy swamp of assumption lied the problem: MY expectations. I had envisioned the trusted momentum of teamwork, camaraderie on a common day, and having fun in the face of any frantic hour. It was going to be great, but then it wasn’t. The hope in my heart was a rolling spring, but the reality I walked through almost evaporated it. 

When my expectations weren’t met, I had found myself unsettled. Nonetheless, every goal set before me each day was accomplished. I was still Jodie with her joy, and I always tried to remember to put on love, but I could feel poison seeping into my heart.  

Proverbs 4:23 provides a little instruction in this area. Solomon says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  Except, I wasn’t feeling like I was flowing with a “wellspring” when my eyes were rolling. My attitude in secret was anything but God pleasing, and the anticipation of the next day exhausted me. At home I would cry, because I feared that God would tell me I didn’t need to be blogging or speaking about Jesus. As if I was the last person He wanted displaying His grace and love. I realized though that this was the enemy trying to drown me in my own spring. 

The enemy is after our hearts just as much as our Father. Except he has come to steal, kill, and destroy, using any little bit of bait possible to turn us away from wisdom, strength, and stability. Galatians 5:9 warns that a little bit of yeast works through the whole batch of dough. Basically saying, my little bit of hidden attitude would eventually contaminate my heart and it would not be well. Even though there were several reasons to stay I knew it wasn’t a healthy choice for me. 

So, I did the best thing I knew to do, I prayed, because I still knew where my hope and help come from. I didn’t start trying to fix it myself or search out shortcuts to escape. Exodus 14:14 recaps Moses telling the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” Now, I have never been a slave to the Egyptians, but I have been known to be a slave to comfort zones, people-pleasing, and insecurity. It’s time to stop being comfortable in misery and trust God to lead us.  

Just in case you were wondering, He can be trusted. He will lift you out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire and set your feet on a rock. He will give you a firm place to stand. He will lead you beside quiet waters, He will refresh your soul, and He will guide you along the right path.

This is an expectation you can confidently expect: He will.