Do What You Know to Do

Years ago, God placed a sweet, sweet woman in my life.  If I had to compare this woman to a Biblical character, the closest I could come to would be Moses. She had a face-to-face relationship with God and He revealed things to her that amazed me.

She took me under her wing, instructed me, and counseled me in every area of my life.  She explained to me in detail how she prayed and ministered, and allowed me to stand beside her in prayer and ministry. I felt honored that God would place me so near to a woman so dear to His own heart. I felt life Joshua must have felt climbing the mountain to meet God with Moses.

One afternoon, she went to lunch with me after church.  As we were driving to Furrs, she said, “Shelley, I need you to listen to me.” 

That got my attention because I knew whatever she had to say was important and I expectantly waited for good news.  However, she looked me in the eye and said, “I am tired.  I am ready to go home.” 

I misunderstood.  I thought she meant she didn’t want to go to lunch, after all this woman was 93 years old.  But she explained, “I am tired. These bones are weary. I am ready to go home.”

Then she took my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, “You need to do what you know to do.” 

It was only days later that this sweet woman went home to be with her dearest friend, Jesus.

“Do what you know to do.”  What had she meant by that?

She had taught me to pray. She had instructed me. She had prepared me to be bold and speak into people’s lives. But unlike Joshua, who willing accepted the anointing, I felt unworthy. I did not believe I could possibly ever be as bold and fearless as this woman. Who was I to even think I could do that?  So, instead, I ran in fear. 

The next couple of years were not good.  It only took Jonah a few days in the belly of the whale to figure out obedience was the best answer. Out of pure stubbornness and self-pity, I chose to remain inside that belly for quite a while.  My marriage fell apart.  My dreams were pushed aside.  Even my finances suffered.

Then one day, I began to weep. I realized how selfish I had been. I prayed with my pastor and he looked me in the eye and said, “Shelley, you need to do what you know to do.”

Do what I know to do – those were the same words my dear friend had said only days prior to her death.

Shorty thereafter, I realized I needed a career change. The job I had wasn’t a good place for me to be and it definitely wasn’t preparing me for my calling. So I took another job that God seemed have placed in my lap. It was far from my dream job but I needed to pay the bills. I needed to get my life back on track. Funny thing is, God had the job prepared just for me. In fact, at the time the company hired me, the position I was actually there to perform didn’t even exist. But God knew it was what they needed and what I needed. Twelve years later and I am a stronger, bolder, more confident woman. I’ve succeeded and I’ve failed. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried. I’ve been hurt and survived. I’ve learned so much that has gotten me right here, writing this first blog.

So today, in this moment, I commit to God and to you, to do what I know to do. I will pray, I will listen, and I will allow God to speak to me and I will listen and willingly obey. I will write what He says write and, my prayer is, it will speak to and encourage you.

Thank you for joining me on the next step of my journey, as I do what I know to do.