Uncharted Waters…
The economy, business, and the landscape moving forward in real estate seems uncertain. It has appeared that way for many months now. I certainly know I am finding myself in uncharted waters. While I have personally bought and sold homes in markets with higher interest rates in the past, this season somehow just seems “different”. While I have done business for years, this season just is not the same. I have certainly found myself in uncharted waters.
Our pastor at church this weekend was talking about uncharted waters. He defined ‘unchartered’ as an activity you have never experienced before. Something new and unknown. I believe I am finding myself here in my life right now. Perhaps you are too?
Early on in my journey with learning how to have faith amid unchartered waters I learned a lesson I will never forget. A lesson that is helping me today in this current season and in an interesting real estate and business market.
According to a dictionary online:
Unbelief can be defined as lack of belief or the absence of faith.
Belief can be defined as acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. Having confidence in someone or something.
My husband and I were on a vacation in California. An all-expense paid vacation in our very early 20’s for a conference through my work at the time. We were at one of the most beautiful resorts we have ever been to…and probably ever will be at, in Laguna Beach, CA. We had only been married a year, and my husband had recently left a full-time job to start a personal training business while he went back to school. We were living “pretty slim,” so this resort was an incredible treat for us.
On one of the days there, the group of professionals I was with were headed out to a team building excursion. We were going to go on a whale watching tour (literally into the ocean with the waves!). Our spouses were invited to join us. We were excited to see anything in the ocean and had never seen a whale before in real life. While I would have been excited to see a whale, dolphins are one of my favorite animals ever. It was an overcast and cloudy day, and the ocean was choppy to say the least. It was April and the weather was chilly. I remember wearing a jacket and the sun not really shining. I also remember asking my husband to join me in prayer that we would see hundreds of sea animals and be blown away. I had faith to believe that we would. On the bus ride to the excursion I excitedly announced, “We are going to see so many of God’s creatures on this tour! I can’t wait to see all His animals!” The lady in charge of all the professionals rolled her eyes and proclaimed sarcastically to everyone on the bus, “Well Meagan say’s we will see hundreds of sea creatures, that God will make that happen, so let’s see if that can really happen.”
When we arrived at the location, we saw previous passengers departing the boat. Many were seasick and most all proclaimed that this was a ‘waste of their time’. But I had made this bold announcement and I did not want to look foolish. I also certainly did not want God to look foolish (like I have any control, lol). I asked my husband to come pray with me again (you know just in case God had not heard me). We went behind a sign, prayed for God to show up, and I stood in faith believing He would.
We boarded the boat and went to the deck to head out in the ocean on the excursion. We were on the ship for 10 minutes and it seemed bleak. The wind picked up, the sun was not shining, and the waves were roaring. Silently I was still hopeful and waiting in expectation. Then all of a sudden, the captain of the boat got on the loudspeaker. “Folks, you are not going to believe this, but we have spotted a mega pod of dolphins. If you will clap and make noise it will draw them to our boat.”
The entire boat began to make as much noise as they could. The clouds parted (seriously they did) and the sun started shining. We moved into this mega pod and saw THOUSANDS of dolphins. The boat was in the middle of this pod for close to an hour. As far as our eyes could see in any direction there were dolphins!
My husband and I stood in awe. The lady in charge stood in awe.
It was an incredible and monumental victory to see God show up and show out. Certainly, He showed just how in charge He was in the unchartered sea.
Today I stand in that same place. Looking at the current market and the current state of the economy in 2023. I see the turbulent landscape and I realize that it looks overcast. But I have boarded the boat anyway, prayed, and stand in expectant hope that God will bring the dolphins. I have decided to sail out into the ocean and see what the Lord has. I believe that dolphins are headed this way. Do you?
Psalm 23:3 “…He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake.”
Today if you find yourself in uncharted waters know that you are in good company. If you are in a new place or do not know the direction forward, that is ok, He does. I pray that you will hear His voice and will be able to navigate with faith towards the great blessing He has for your future.
Joyfully, Meagan Brown
