Job 23:10 - The Tested Path

Step 1: Pray. Select.

This morning, I am contemplating where I belong. With my career transitions, new stepchildren, new marriage, some normal health conditions as a natural sign of aging, and a new city, who am I in this stage of life?

I decided to ask the Holy Spirit during my prayer time, as we go through changes of this magnitude and all at once, what part of my identity I cling to and what things would God like me to burn down, making them my past? I want to feel joyful about my future, but I am uncertain how to regain my gusto when I feel like a stranger in a strange land.

As I searched for scripture this morning to start my prayer practice, Job 23:10 came to mind.

Let’s begin our journey, friends!

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Job 23:10 - But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Knows The Way

• Tested

• Come Forth

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, He knows the way, tested, come forth.

Step 4: Visualize

I am picturing myself standing on the top of a hill, which is not too high. It is more of a rolling hill in a place resembling a desert. However, the sky is highly unusual. It is purple and blue with neon green trails from shooting stars periodically darting across the sky. There is a moon. However, you can barely see it since only a round sliver of white is visible as it hangs in view.

I do not think this is Earth. I see reddish sand but no trees or evidence of life anywhere. I can't tell whether it is dusk or dawn. Maybe it always looks like this?

I am covered in white-linen clothes, even over my head and face. The only exposure is my eyes. I am not hot or cold. The temperature is perfect.

I feel like there are other people on this planet, but I don't know where they are. I hear some noise in the distance, like a party, but it is as faint as the moon. I don't know whether I should wander off or stay where God has placed me. I ask the Holy Spirit for direction. He assures me there is a clear path.

I feel confused because there is nothing but sand, so I am sure whatever path he laid out previously is gone by now, swallowed by the sand. Reading my mind, He says, "Don't look with your eyes. Close your eyes and feel my direction to turn. Then the path will be revealed."

As I close my eyes for a bit longer, I look down, and to my left, I see footsteps light up, almost as if bioluminescent. There is a path, but the desert is so vast, and with the interruption of the rolling hills, I cannot see where the path leads. That is the point. I am not meant to see, but I do have to take a step.

I stand in place, not sure of how these footsteps were formed. My instincts tell me that bioluminescence only happens in water. But I am in a desert, so that doesn't make sense. "Precisely," Holy Spirit says in almost a laughing tone.

I take a deep breath and turn towards the direction the footsteps travel. The moon has moved into a new position and aligned with the direction the footsteps are traveling. It is acting as if it were my compass. I realize that it is getting darker behind me now, and I must step towards the footsteps and the moon's direction to continue to have light to see. I must move towards the light.

I move forward and stand in the first two footsteps with my two feet, like a child walking in their father's footsteps in the sand. The moon rises, providing more light. With each step, I am turning back time and gaining daylight. Funny, why is the moon and not the sun in my vision?

I decided to stop for a beat and ask the Holy Spirit in Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, why is there no sun, and only a sliver of the moon I can see to light my way?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

“I have already shown you so many times I will give you the sun, moon, and stars to light your way and bless you. But you don't seem to understand that if I promise you an easy, well-lit path, you will not move. You might stay basking in the sunlight for too long and be burned by the fire in which I am destroying the things behind you I do not want you to have anymore. If you are concerned about the darkness creeping in and taking over, you will move quicker toward the little sliver of white light, the moon. The night can be long, and you don't know what elements will change once you are left in the shadows. You will still be able to see the stars, so as you know, I will never leave you alone. However, I want you to trust me and run towards the moon and a never-ending light. And by the time you circle this place, I will deliver something new inside of you, and the environment upon your return will reflect on the outside who you are on the inside. Bioluminescence glows from a place where it is dark; in the sunlight, you cannot appreciate its beauty from within. Sometimes, I need to have you refocus on who is inside of you so you can truly shine in any environment, even in the dark. Take the steps and run towards the moon. As my word says, it has been tested, so come forth! Do not delay any more. Move."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Thank you, God, for reminding me that the power of Jesus, the world's light, lives inside me. Sometimes, I understand you will send the dark to press me to move. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not be afraid, for the LORD my GOD is with me. His staff and his rod comfort me. He leads me beside still waters and prepares a table before my enemies.

Wait! Did he say, "Enemies!?"

In my vision, I have to walk through this foreign land to be seated at the table He has prepared, where my enemies cannot harm me.

Oh LORD, let me run, not be weary, and finish the race you have started me on. In Jesus' name - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, sometimes, when we don't see what's ahead, we must stop to appreciate who lives within us. We must check in with our compass which is Jesus.

Sometimes what we see in the distance is not what we think. It could be enemies; it could be foes. But only the one who lives inside us knows the answer to the question of what lies ahead. Either way, we cannot attend the dinner party unprepared for the environment. So he will prepare us along the way.

The LORD is asking us to follow his footsteps, for he has tested the path in which he sends us, and we will come forth as pure gold, honoring how we got to our destination by glorifying Him along the way.

Take care of yourselves today friends. Go with GOD and you will never be lost.

God bless your journeys today, friends! See you soon.