Hello and welcome to Facets of Faith! We’re glad you stopped by this week. We’ve been waiting to introduce you to our beautiful friend, Lavonna Garner. She is definitely someone you should know. Her soul is gentle. Her prayer is fierce. She is a wonderful teacher and friend. Take a peek at her thoughts on springing forward with God.

Share Lavonna with your friends! And let’s talk about springing forward in the comments below or at our Facebook Page!

God is always moving! From the beginning of creation, we see Him at work. In fact, God was moving before the earth was formed!

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, NLT)

As daughters of the Most High, we serve a mighty God who is active and present in the earth. He has a purpose and plan for each of us; it is as unique as the prints upon our fingers which bear their individual identity. In His love, God designed a plan for all of creation; and out of His love, He invites us to participate in it through the work of His Holy Spirit.

How will YOU spring forward with God?
In light of “spring” defined, how will you “move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward” with God? What will you DO to experience, not just movement, but the fullness of “spring” defined with our Father?

Some of us will have to rid ourselves of things, thoughts, and/or perhaps people, to accomplish this. Sudden or rapid upward or forward movement can not be achieved if we are carrying excess weight. Possessions accumulated to fulfill a desire long passed now clamor for so much of our time and attention that we have no time for God; cares burden our hearts and clutter our minds; unhealthy thoughts, habits, and relationships that produced fruit undesirable to us and others all open the door to the enemy. Our failure to “clean house” not only gives Satan permission to wreak havoc in our lives, but can, dare I say, “constipate” our walk with God. Refusal to release the things that bind us will hinder our ability to not only move with God, but virtually make it impossible for us to experience sudden or rapid upward and forward mobility in our relationship with Him.

What or who do YOU need to release to spring forward with God?

During my young adult years, I had a vision and a plan for my future. That plan, however, did not always coincide with the will of my Heavenly Father. There were seasons where I not only chose to have my way and did, but also rejected The Way, The Truth, and The Life that had been beautifully established for all of creation before the foundation of the world began. God, in spite of my disobedience, patiently waited for His prodigal daughter to return home. It wasn’t until I was able to embrace the unconditional love my Father had for me and His forgiveness, that I was able to approach His launching pad.

What do YOU need to embrace in order to spring forward with God?

The power of saying “YES!”
From the time we were little, we exerted our power. Phrases like “No!”, “I don’t want that!”, “You can’t make me!”, and my eldest daughter’s favorite, “I can do it myself!” became the threads  many of us unknowingly wove into the fiber of our relationship with God. I certainly understand why we, as believers, are called “children of God.” We hang onto our threads, refuse to listen to wisdom, and insist on doing life our way. We fail to see the power of saying “yes” to God and the beautiful tapestry He has woven, and we settle for a life unraveled and undefined.

This New Year, I made a commitment to say yes to God! Unless my Holy Spirit emergency discernment system sends me a warning, I am saying yes to the LORD’s will and to the way He chooses to unfold it. Yes to fasting…yes to being intentional in my effort to study scripture…yes to accepting opportunities that take me outside of my comfort zone…yes to not being attached to the outcome…yes to a life of obedience (which by the way, brings deliverance), and yes to no longer being “too difficult to work with.” (Those were words the LORD spoke to my heart years ago.) Living a yes-centered life has stretched and catapulted me forward with God! It is only the beginning of March, and I have seen God’s hand move in amazing ways—being invited to write this post is just one of them! My “yes” will move my Father’s heart and will allow me to spring forward in and with Him.

What is God inviting you to say “yes” to that will spring you forward with Him?

My word for 2019 is “expectancy.” This year, I am expecting great things! As I spring forward with God, I will grow in my understanding of His will, live a yes-centered life, and see His promises to me and my family fulfilled. In Him I am committed to living, moving (springing forward), and having my being (Acts 17:28)!

How will you spring forward with God?