Pleasant Feet

It is amazing how a particular Scripture can speak to you in a way you never expected.

The Scripture I am sharing today is from Isaiah 54:1:

“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the LORD.

Interestingly, this was the opening verse of the chapter.

When I first read it, I paused for a moment, reflected on it, and moved on. But you know that feeling when a Scripture refuses to leave you alone? I had to go back to the chapter after reading the entire passage.

Something about the verse unsettled me.

I wondered, Why is God speaking this way? Why does it seem as though He is elevating the woman who is barren over the married woman who has children? What does God have against the married and fruitful woman? Is He simply trying to make the barren woman feel better, to give her some measure of peace and hope?

My dear friend, my random thoughts were far from what eventually settled in my heart. I believe the Holy Spirit began to breathe understanding into the Word. And from the moment this truth became clear to me until the day I write this article, one message has remained deeply in my heart:

THERE IS HOPE!

Have you ever found yourself in a season where it seems as though everyone around you is experiencing the kind of fulfilment you have been praying for?

Perhaps it is your sibling who is doing remarkably well.

Maybe it is someone in your church who received the breakthrough you have been waiting for.

Perhaps it is a colleague who got the promotion you have worked so hard for.

Or that childhood friend who is now living the life you once imagined for yourself.

Maybe you have even found yourself avoiding people because you are ashamed of where you currently are.

You see their progress and begin to wonder, “What about me?”

You see people getting married, having children, buying homes, building businesses, advancing in their careers, and achieving their dreams, and somehow, you feel as though there is no activity in your own life.

It can be difficult to celebrate other people’s victories when you are still waiting for your own.

But today, my message to you is:

REJOICE!

Yes, rejoice. Not because your current situation is necessarily what you want, but because your current situation is not the end of your story.

Isaiah 54 goes on to say in verses 2–5:

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”

The woman who felt barren was being told, in essence:

“Do not allow your present condition to determine the size of your expectation.”

You may look around and see little.

God may be asking you to make room for much.

You may feel like your life has not started.

God may be preparing you for a season of multiplication.

You may feel as though you have fallen behind.

God is reminding you that your story is still being written.

Sometimes, when we look at people who appear settled in life, we assume they have reached the ultimate destination. They are married. They have children. Their careers are progressing. Their lives appear established.

And when we compare ourselves with them, we conclude that we are behind.

But Isaiah 54 gives us another perspective.

The woman who felt barren was told to stretch, enlarge, lengthen and strengthen.

In other words, Do not limit yourself because of where you are today.

You still have room to dream.

You still have room to build.

You still have room to grow.

You still have room to become.

You still have room to multiply.

Perhaps there are things you have stopped believing are possible because you have spent too much time comparing your journey with someone else’s.

Perhaps you have reduced your expectations because life has disappointed you.

Perhaps you have stopped dreaming because you are tired of waiting.

My dear friend, don’t short-circuit your future because your present does not look promising.

Dare to dream again.

Dare to believe again.

Dare to prepare again.

Dare to hope again.

Where you are is not the end of the road.

It is a transit point on your way to your place of honour only if you don’t give up.

Isaiah 54:4 says:

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.”

The very thing you are currently ashamed of may become part of the testimony you will one day share. The delay does not mean denial.

The waiting does not mean abandonment.

The barren season does not mean your life will remain barren forever.

God introduces Himself in verse 5 as your Maker, your Husband, your Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, the Holy One of Israel, THE GOD OF ALL THE EARTH.

So, dear friend, if you are reading this while feeling like everyone else is moving ahead of you, I want you to know that you are not forgotten.

Your friend may be married.

Your classmate may have achieved the career you wanted.

Your sibling may be thriving.

Someone younger than you may have accomplished what you have been praying about for years.

Celebrate them.

But don’t use their testimony as evidence that God has forgotten yours. Your journey is different, and different does not mean inferior.

Dear friend, this article is for you if you are beginning to lose heart.

It is for you if comparison has made you question your worth.

It is for you if you have stopped dreaming because reality has not matched your expectations.

It is for you if you have been wondering when it will finally be your turn.

Keep your faith alive while you put your hands to work, and trust God to breathe upon the works of your hands.

Your story is not over.

As is my usual practice, I cannot close this article without giving you an opportunity to meet Jesus, especially if you have never truly encountered Him.

Jesus gave His life and shed His blood for you and me so that we might be redeemed and reconciled to God.

The Redeemer is waiting for you.

You do not have to have everything figured out before you come to Him.

You simply need to come.

Run into His arms, and I can assure you: The journey with Him will be worth it.

See you soon,

God bless you.