Walking in Lockstep With the Lord
Dreams, desires, and doubts -- the joy of talking with God about it all
Hello friends!
Happy almost spring. While it’s still snowing over here in Toronto, it’ll be officially, technically spring for all of us in two days and we’re probably all excited for the season to change. New birth, new growth, new opportunities to live out the glorious plans God has prepared in advance for us to do.
For a week or so now, I’ve felt the urge to write again. The last five weeks have been wonderful but busy (more on this at the end) and sometimes even things that we’re called to and feel passionate need to be put on pause for a bit. Can you relate? Whether it’s been five weeks, months, or years, sometimes we can start to feel a little rusty but we have a not-so-secret power in the Holy Spirit.
Reminder: the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus to life again lives in us!
And why are we alive? One reason is to work with God to do his will:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
It’s always a good day to seek God about our steps.
You… God Wants You!
The other day, I was hosting a corporate group at work — four people from an very cool, innovative finance co — and we were talking about AI and writing and the importance of still keeping that human flavour alive. I mentioned that I’d rather have a too word-y sentence than one that seems AI-edited and technically correct but devoid of personality.
God didn’t make us all the same, amen? It’s so obvious but perhaps sometimes we are afraid to shine as God made us, to share our testimony in unfamiliar ground, because we fear consequences. But we are called to shine his light and he gives us opportunities to partner with him — to speak encouragement, share resources, even just notice and see others — and peoples lives can change.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Since the beginning, the whole purpose of The Yay Project has been to encourage every reader to celebrate their God-given design and pursue their kingdom calling. Let’s remember that every pastor, leader, content creator, person goes through the same cycle at times of wondering if they are enough. For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about this off and on — I’ve always wanted to share from a pure place rather than worry about what will perform for the algorithm but perhaps there’s a way to do consider the latter while keeping the former.
Grace and Multiplication
I have a sweet friend at church who, upon discovering The Yay Project (I speak about Yay stuff with my coach and a few close friends but definitely never lead with it lol), took it upon herself to be my hype woman and regularly encourages all of our mutual friends to support. And people new to Yay sometimes see the Instagram follow count and assume things, speak about God’s favour, and so on.
But we all know numbers are only part of the story. Yes, God wants us to steward our talents, says he gives us more as we steward well, wants us to be fruitful and multiply, but let us not forget about the spiritual formation part of life! Let us not be discouraged or discourage others based on numbers — that a low follower account, salary, friend group size, etc. means one is not as favoured as one that has more.
God says it’s hard for the rich to enter his kingdom (Matthew 19:24). God says he is with us when two are three are gathered in his name not when dozens are gathered not in his name (Matthew 18:20). God says not to prove we’re better than others but to think of others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
And we probably know this with our heads but culture and habits can make this easy to forget. There are wars and rumours of wars. Layoff headlines and recession indicators. More and more bizzare things in the news (buccal fat surgery, what on earth???). With this uncertainty, it may seem logical to seek the best paying job, build multiple income streams, even get plastic surgery to get to the best position to build the best life possible.
But if they are not God’s will for us — caution!
Maybe God want us to take that pay cut for a season because he has things for us to learn in that new environment.
Maybe we shouldn’t focus on growing multiple income streams (even if they are flourishing) because God knows our attention is needed at home, for now or something in the future.
Maybe we shouldn’t overly focus on our looks because it’s preventing us from obeying God’s command to love others and make disciples.
Maybe. But we’ll only know if we seek the Lord.
Encouragement to Walk in Lockstep With the Lord
Lately, my daily prayer basically has been “Lord, help me walk in lockstep with you.” Meaning I want to be so close to God that I’m walking as focused as can be down his narrow path. What is his will for me this season? This year? For life?
You might be thinking “Me too” or “Who wouldn’t want this?” That’s great! There is a cost but meaningful, heavenly rewards.
Or maybe, “That’s unrealistic.” And ok, for sure, we won’t always be in perfect sync. We’re human. We make mistakes or hear wrong sometimes. But isn’t it a lovely goal to strive for?
If you’re feeling any fear about walking with God so closely, I really encourage you to try it. Doing this has changed my life in incredible ways, not always in ways I understand in the moment, but there’s truly nothing like being honest and vulnerable before God.
This morning, I felt God encourage me with the following:
Have vision for your life. I’ve already given you vision! Embrace it! Be who I’ve called you to be! Why do you forget? The closer you are to me, the easier it’ll be to remember — in my presence there is fullness of joy. My ways are higher. Doing things my way doesn’t always make obvious sense. I know what you sometimes think about my timing. ;) But remember — you’ve experience my perfect timing before. And my timing is always perfect. So press on! Do what you know to do! Pursue the paths I’ve called you to! And stay close, so close you hear my whispers. I have so much for you — today, this season, always. I love you. Keep documenting. This year will be a beautiful, wild, holy fire-filled ride.
Sharing in case this might speak to you too.
During busy periods like the ones I just left, life can feel like survival. The reminder of high pressure deadlines, even for good things, weighing a little. We might be doing our absolute best to rely on God and cut out distractions and doubt, but our best doesn’t feel like it’s perfect enough. Praise God for reminding us, whether we hear him in the thick of the busy, or after it’s over, that all he ever asks of us is our best. He never expects us to be perfect because that’s just not possible. But with him, he makes a beautiful plan, and he wants us to rise up, live in the authority he’s given us, and rule with him.
Lockstep with God doesn’t mean never making a mistake but doing our best to stay close to him — reading his word, worshiping with a pure heart, speaking to him honestly, and doing what he says. What incredible access we have to the King of all.
To Wrap
Friend, I believe in you. That God has made you for an exceptional purpose and that he has given you all you need to fulfill his will. You are made for this season! Feeling unsure or unclear about your purpose? Draw close to God daily and ask him! Listen and obey! Trust more will come! God’s plan offers so much grace and space for nuance — he works with us however we are but just calls us to come to him. Let us come to him. Maybe journal and document more this year — things that we hope for, that have happened, that we sense God speaking — so we remember, give God thanks, and testify more.
Life moves fast but may it not pass us by. May we live with the full purpose and authority befitting a loved child of God.
Ps. What’s kept me so busy?
Winter Walk: Over the last newsletter or so, I mentioned, I was leading the organization of our annual fundraising walk at work. Despite -20 degree weather, we saw an amazing turnout of nearly 300 people, the afterparty (dinner, dj, night market) was so well attended that people lingered and we kind of ran out of seats, and we raised over $144,233.33 lol just shy of our goal but nearly $15,000 more than we’ve ever raised, all in support of neighbours experiencing poverty in Toronto. Praise God!!!
Disney Cruise to Mexico: Over the Christmas break, my sister convinced our family to do something whimsical — a Disney Cruise. We went right after Winter Walk wrapped, and it was so fun to not only be immersed in movie scenes (Stark Expo and Rapunzel’s birthday dinner, anyone?) but have quality time with loved ones. Planning to write a full review in a bit in case any other adult groups are thinking of doing a Disney Cruise. Yes, there are lots of families with young kids, but also Marvel-loving couples dressed in their superhero best!
My first homily: Last fall, I was asked to give a sermon (homily) at one of our All Staff Meetings at work. Our theme for the year is “Camino” (our journey towards Heavenly Jerusalem) and the topic I was given was “Friends for the journey.” I have so much to say about God’s faithfulness during the process of preparing for the sermon, things that felt easy and things that felt hard, and fruit that has emerged after, as well as all the ways I was inspired by my pastors and own friends for the journey. I’m planning to write a longer post on this too — friends for the journey is such an important and nuanced topic.
Elan the Table: One of the most fun things I’ve experienced this spring is a private dining experience hosted by a few friends from church. Benji is the lead chef and planned a 5-course dinner party, which was lovingly hosted by a bunch of my girlfriends. It was such a lovely night, feasting of course, and also building community. If you’re in Toronto, follow Elan’s Instagram to learn more about the next dinner! And, as is the theme for this issue, I would also like to write a longer review about this…
So, life is still busy perhaps, it’s good to be busy — with the Lord.
Love you, friends.
Until next time,
Jenni