2025 is here! Can you believe it? A quarter of the century has whizzed past. Time is flying by so fast. Isn’t it crazy to think about all the uncertainty we had about "Y2K"? We really didn't know what was going to happen, and yet here we are. With this crazy world swirling around us, one thing is certain, God has us and He is here for us.
Recently, I was praying, asking God for so many things. It actually makes me a little embarrassed to think about how much I lean on him. I mean, I'm pretty sure He does not lean on me. But as I was seeking direction for my wife and me, I heard a firm voice speak to me, "IF YOU ONLY KNEW". I was like, okay, is this God? I took some time to process and sat in silence and stillness with God, at 6 am. Then God gave me a vision - I saw a mountain. It was mighty, quite daunting. The top was jagged and seemed challenging.
Then God spoke to me from above and said, "If you could only see what I have for you". I was very far down the mountain and He was on the top. He told me again, "If only you knew what I have for you on the other side". I said, "What, what Lord is it you have for me?" But I felt like I knew what I needed to do - Get to the top and see for myself. God chimed in and said, "No son, we will see it together."
I fell back and saw "my mountain" from a distance. I saw trails and paths. Some were traveled, some were not. The ones that seemed the easiest were traversing downward but those led to darkness. I was afraid to choose those trails. The ones traversing upwards were heading towards the brightlight. Some of the trails I saw were those I had already traveled on. I reached some high peaks. Some of them were so, so close to the top but I never knew how close I was, so I gave up. I saw paths that had me choose sort of a fork. Which way should I go? The one heading down was a clear path, the one heading upward was full of obstacles. I wanted to take the easy road because I was weary. But I knew God needed me to work.
There was so much more in this vision, but let's get to the point -
God wants us to step out boldly. Walk confidently forward. He will guide our path.
Understand that this year He has a special path already laid out for each of us. It may be tough. Obstacles may need to be overcome, but God is with us, just call out his name.
John 8:12 NIV - "...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Proverbs 11:5 TPT - "Those with good character, walk on a smooth path, with no detour or deviation. But the wicked, keep falling because of their own wickedness."
Love in Christ,
Eric and Jo-Ellen Stover
