My heart beats more quickly than usual. The feeling in the pit of my stomach is familiar, a pang of recognition and anticipation. I sense an invitation has been extended, an offer made, an answer found.
Perhaps it is an intuitive knowing, a sixth sense, a gut reaction or an answer to prayer. Whatever name you give it, many of us can recall times when we just know.
Deep in our spirits. We. Just. Know.
But then the questioning begins. We second guess and argue with ourselves.
- What if I’m wrong?
- What if I’m crazy?
- How will it work?
- What if I fail?
- What if I look like a fool?
So we stuff it down, put it on hold, and decide we need to spend more time thinking, ruminating, marinating, worrying, wondering, stewing, contemplating, considering, cogitating, meditating and praying before we act.
(Whew. Just typing all those words is exhausting.)
Yet, I have had several conversations with friends recently who told me about an experience of deep knowing when they didn’t stuff it down or put it on hold. They made a different choice, took a different road. They trusted the knowing. They didn’t ignore and they didn’t wait.
Suddenly, I just knew. And I knew if I didn’t act right away, I would never do it. So I did it immediately.
They took action without delay. They signed up, made the call, sent the email or put the date on their calendar. Right that minute, heart pounding. Before they had the chance to hush the deep knowing.
Not every decision can be made in an instant, yet more and more often I am choosing to listen to those moments when God or the universe or my better self invites me to dance. Or jump. Or dive deep.
In one of my favorite books in scripture, James shares this profound insight.
James 1:5 (TLB) If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul speaks of desiring a spirit of wisdom and revelation for those who might someday read his words.
Ephesians 1:16-19 (NLV) I always give thanks for you and pray for you. I pray that the great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the wisdom of His Spirit. Then you will be able to understand the secrets about Him as you know Him better. I pray that your hearts will be able to understand. I pray that you will know about the hope given by God’s call. I pray that you will see how great the things are that He has promised to those who belong to Him. I pray that you will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him.
As a person of faith, I believe the thing we often call intuition is connected to God. A God of healing, love and goodness. A God who wants my best and wants to show me how to use the unique gifts He has given me in His Kingdom.
A God who wants to give me wisdom.
But I have to listen.
And act.
Friend, if you know…really know…take the leap of faith. Do it right now.
I am linking up today with my friends over at #LiveFreeThursday. Our topic this week is “taking the restrictions off your dreams.” So much wisdom from my friends! Check it out HERE
