If you read my last blog, you know I took some time for a personal retreat. One of the things that the Lord said to me was it was time to come out of hiding.
He showed me a picture of a person coaxing a puppy out from underneath a bed. I saw the puppy cautiously coming out and joyfully bouncing around, tail wagging, jumping, and licking that person. The puppy was so excited to no longer be afraid and hiding. I heard the Lord say, " I am coaxing the inner you out of hiding. You will bound with excitement and joy as you see, and trust me to bring you out. I am you Master, the one who feeds and shelters you. I care for you and will shower you with loving-kindness as you open up, come to me, and let me lead you in a new direction."
I have been meditating on this. Honestly, I didn't know I had been hiding, so I asked what I should do. How do I come out of hiding? The first thing He told me was to share more on Social Media.
As you know, my tag line is "Living the delightful life God has prearranged and prepared for us."
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
He has challenged me to be more open and share the delightful life as I live it. I am to look for two items a day to post. I'm not to plan them ahead like I usually do, but be spontaneous.
To be honest, I have a hard time sharing stuff because I figure my life is fairly boring to other folks. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my life. It is not real exciting most of the time, and that is how I like it. I'm a slow, steady, and calm, not a giddy with excitement-type gal in my daily life.
The second way He is calling me out of hiding is to be more social. Get out of the house and do stuff, even if it is just to the grocery or dollar store. Be more adventurous and let Him lead me. (This will also add some fun and excitement to my social media posts, I hope). I love being at home and circumstances over the last year have allowed me to indulge in that.
Maybe a little too much.
I am finding that I have forgotten how to socially interact with those I don't know. The art of chit-chat and small talk is alluding me. But this kind of conversation is necessary for the "get-to-know-you" stage with people. We are called to be ambassadors for His kingdom, and to do that, we have to be able to interact with them.
Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
As I've discussed this shortcoming with friends, I've found many with the same concerns. I believe God is coaxing us all to come out of hiding in this new season. As we do, we will be met with His loving kindness and guidance. He will help us find the words we need. And we will abound with a new joy and excitement we haven't experienced before.
I'd love for you to join me in this challenge of coming out of hiding. I will be focusing on posting to Instagram, using #comingoutofhiding. For the next 30 days, post about your delightful life. Look for the things that make your life delightful every day. Post about the people, places, and things that you are involved with. Ask Holy Spirit what He has arranged for you today, then as you do it, share it.
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/jodelights7/
Let me know where you will be posting on social media. I'm looking forward to your posts. I believe at the end of the challenge, we will be like that little puppy, tail-wagging and jumping with joy over what the Lord has done.
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5 comments
This is a great challeneg for me. I’ve been active on social media (during the pandemic) in the encouraging type of way but not in the personal way. I sense God asking me to share more of me and what God has done that day in and through me.
I usually post on FB through my privare groups. But for these next 30 days, I am going to post this new daily content on Insta. I am a quiet person and my life tends to be quiet. We’ll see what happens.
I’ll be posting at https://www.instagram.com/susanizwright/
Thanks for sharing your journey. I came over here from Lisa’s One Word 2021.
I’ve been posting more on Instagram of late, something I had been resisting for a while. Today I learnt that I can plan my posts this way – Inspire, Educate, Promote. It made sense to me.
Looking forward to you coming out of hiding and am now following you on Instagram.
It’s been so lovely to meet you here and there today, Jodee! I look forward to connecting with you more in the future! Have a restful evening …
What a fun challenge, Jodee! I tend to be a homebody too. I’ve been tiptoeing my way back into the world the past few months, but I still need to let go a little more of control and be more spontaneous.
The Lord is so kind to gently lead us and to gently nudge us when He wants us to move. I trust it will be a beautiful 30 days as you follow the Good Shepherd.