On May 16, 2008, God ordained that I would take a leap of faith as I had never done before.  I would leave my comfort zone (family, friends, and job) entering a city and a new job where I knew no one, but God! God tells us that without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). So I stepped out on faith (the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Hebrews 11:1) and the journey has been an AMAZING and TRYING experience, but through it ALL I made it!  As I am approaching being in the Chicago-land area a year. I have begun to reflect on what this experience has been for me. How the good and the bad has blended together to bring forth God’s greatness (Romans 8:28)! So read on my sistahs, my brothers, my friends and experience The Journey…Chicago-land!

When the journey began God opened every door for me to get to this predestined place and it was because God had a predetermined purpose for me to pursue and conquer on “The Journey…Chicago-land” and He knew that my faith had not reached a level where I would move to a place without being able to see His provision upfront and thus He provided, finances, man/woman power (Thank You—Kenya and Cynthia), and the parental guidance and support (Thanks-Mom)! When I tell you that everything I needed, God provided! When I tell you that the beginning of “The Journey” introduced me to a level of God that I had never been exposed to, He moved upon the hearts of people that may not even realize they were being used by God. God got me from faith to faith in a miraculous way!

As I look back over this past year, I have to tell you that God has been my strong tower (superior of its kind-one that provides support or protection). God has been just that. He made ways out of know ways, when the enemy tried to steal my job (He Blocked It!), when the enemy tried to steal my joy (He Blocked It!), and when the enemy tried to take my Purpose by destroying what God was birthing in and through me (He Blocked It!) So what has The Journey---Chicago-Land been to me.

1-       A place of SOLIDARITY, REALNESS, SUBSTANALITY, ENTIRETY, AND COMPLETENESS. God has been my solid rock. He has been Jehovah Jireh, providing, exceedingly abundantly, above all that I could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). He has been Jehovah Ropha-my healer, He has been Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner (protection). He has shown me that His love is solid, His love is real, it is substantial, and it is Compete!

2-       A place of LABOUR- I have laboured (expenditure of  physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory) many long days and even longer nights! I have cried many tears, but it has not been in vain! God has birthed some things through me and impregnated me with powerful, purposeful, and passionate ministry for His Kingdom!

3-       A place of GRACE-I have been extended God’s grace (unmerited, divine assistance given for the purpose of regeneration or sanctification) over and over; and over and over again!  God gave me grace, when I did not deserve it, God gave me grace, when I could not earn it, God gave me grace, when I did not realize it! God GRACED me through this season in my life! God graced me through the financial struggle, the struggle(s) on my job, the struggles in my mind (when the enemy tried to convince me to kill myself), God extended His GRACE to me through it ALL!

You see, many times it is not until you get toward the end of a particular season in your life or you are headed into a different direction on your journey that God reveals to you…the reason for the last journey.  So as my season in the Chicago-land area is nearing its end and God is sending me to the next place, I welcome the next journey and pray that it will be MORE than the last, MORE---AMAZING, GOD-PURPOSED,  GOD-ORDAINED, and GOD REVEALING! So embrace the journeys in your life, (whether short, long, easy, or hard) and watch where God will take you and what He will do with you when you get there, while you are there, and upon you entering the next place.  You may wonder why I am preparing for the next journey, well you do know that God reveals His plans to His children and the door has already been opened and I am preparing to transition to the next destination…Tennessee hear I come!  God also confirmed that, Journey…Chicago-land was coming to an end as He revealed the number 365!  Which is what we call a complete calendar year (unless it is a leap year) this will blow your mind!!!

1-       The number  3 means complete, solid, real, substantial, and  entire

2-       The number 6 means labor and:

3-        The number 5 means Grace

So to each of you who are reading this and are embracing your own journey…embrace the entire Journey!  Trust God, keep the faith, and finish well!  After all God gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29) and do not forget, those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will not grow weary, they will walk and not faint! (Isaiah 40:31)

I have served my 365 in the Chicago land area and…It is FINISHED! I will be journeying to TENNESSEE.  Get Ready, Tennessee I am coming with God given authority and on assignment!  Matthew 1:7-10.

©Tiffany R. Easley, 2009, 03 May, The Journey Chicago-land