"Embracing the Process of Inspiration"

By Paula R. Bryant

When God begins to unfold your Path of Inspiration, walking on that path isn’t always easy. Why? Staying on this new path and moving forward requires that you embrace the process to STAY INSPIRED—from your spirit, and not from your emotions. As I’ve already said, you must consistently say yes when the Lord (not your own mind) directs your steps. This means you must constantly unlearn your tendency to act according to your own finite understanding, and learn how to DO things by faith in God.
       After we left the impromptu job interview in Dallas, I was so stirred up, my emotions went into overdrive. I couldn’t silence the barrage of thoughts that were darting through my mind. This was real. Sometime soon, my family and I could be leaving Houston, I mused. But I didn’t receive confirming direction from the Lord again while my mind was in high gear. The next weekend we didn’t go to Dallas, so I had a little extra downtime. That Saturday, He revealed my next step. I was to take the kids swimming and go over my resume as I watched them from my lounge chair by the pool.
       Something intriguing happened as I was looking over my work experience, still pondering that uncanny question: “What would you want to do…?” Suddenly, I sensed the presence of God. His amazing peace came upon me. So, I stopped what I was doing, stilled my thoughts…and inspiration immediately turned on a light bulb in my spirit and mind. I had been reviewing my resume traditionally for titles and accomplishments. I was supposed to be “reading between the lines” of my resume functionally for ways in which I had excelled in my positions over the years, no matter what my title or official responsibilities may have been. It was during this “inspired” review that three areas came to the forefront: project management, special projects, and writing.
       I was then directed in my heart to start writing my letter, presenting those areas to my prospective employer. There was only one problem. God was compelling me to put writing at the top of my list, but I was resisting Him. Why? Writing had always been easy for me. Not only had I gained plenty of indirect “on-the-job experience,” I had acquired a lot of direct experience copywriting for our personal ministry. Beyond that, even at that moment I was stretching my wings, writing with vigor for my college classes. Yet, somehow, I hadn’t fully acknowledged this special gift. The Lord reminded me of what I had seen in that incredible dream/vision I shared about last week. In that “higher realm,” I knew the ability to write was mine, and I had immediately engaged in a battle to release it.
       Needless to say, I didn’t resist the Lord much longer. I started writing the letter that day—putting writing first--and within a few days I had finished and sent it via overnight delivery to Dallas. 

Many times, your Path of Inspiration can appear to be mysterious, even scary, to your natural mind. When this happens, your mind resists what God is revealing to your spirit. While your spirit longs to embrace what God is showing you and forge ahead, your mind wants to know everything before you do anything. It also resists the daily process that walking on your Path of Inspiration requires: spending time in the Word, seeking God in prayer, thanksgiving and worship, and saying yes to whatever He leads you to DO. Resisting the Lord always delays your progress.
       God makes His direction clear. He instructs us by His Word, guides us by His Spirit, and confirms His will for us through His peace. The hard part at times, especially at first, can be knowing when God is inspiring you, versus your own thoughts or emotions. But take it from me, as you slow down and embrace the process, you’ll begin to readily recognize God’s presence and direction. You’ll constantly be amazed at the Path of Inspiration that continues to unfold right before your eyes.