While attending our Women of Wisdom annual leadership retreat recently, I asked God to show me something relevant that would inspire us over the weekend and going forward.
Isaiah 65:24 says, “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” God is so faithful that if we truly listen, He will answer.
What I heard seemed to be a little odd at first, and I wasn’t quite sure how relevant it was for a leadership retreat. He said, “I want you to be a part of my catch-and-release program.”
Being a country girl, I know that term relates to fishing. My initial thoughts were that maybe we should have brought fishing gear and tackle. Throughout the weekend, I continued to ask Him to elaborate on this message so I could communicate what he was saying clearly.
The catch-and-release program he was referring to was about letting go of the life we know and following His lead and guidance into a totally new way doing things. Additionally, He said, “I want an exchange. I want you to catch what I am doing and release what you are doing: control, old mindsets and old ways of doing things.”
God tells us in Isaiah 43, “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m doing something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? Can you perceive it?”
When we answer the call and become a part of His catch-and-release program, we release what we’ve been doing, relinquish control into his hands and catch what he is doing. We let go and recognize that He is God, and this is His world, His creation, and our response should be to simply trust Him.
God can free our minds and anything that hinders our forward progression in Him. May we not become so caught up with former things that we forget to open our eyes to what God is doing right now.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for moving on our behalf even when we don’t realize it. We pray for the faith to trust you even when we cannot see you. Show us, Lord, and give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Help us catch what you are doing. Help us to release control and be about our Father’s business. Thank you, Father, that you have called each one of us to be a part of your catch-and-release program. We say “yes” In Jesus’s matchless name. Amen.
