As I mentioned at the end of yesterday’s devotional, we are saying goodbye to our family business. When Chris began looking for new work, we assumed he would continue to be a contract laborer…and for a time he was, but the last two jobs he’s worked have been W-2 jobs. We continued to hold onto our HCI name because…well, we weren’t ready to die to that dream yet. We started Hurst Consulting INC over a decade ago, and before that Chris was self-employed as an LLC. It’s all we’ve ever known. We have received prophesies over the business and spent countless hours praying and fasting over it for many years. Now, we lay it to rest…and honestly, I feel like someone has died. Even while typing this out, I’ve had to get up several times to walk around because of the magnitude of my grief.
This might not make sense to some of you, but if you’ve ever owned a business and poured your sweat, tears and life into it only to close up shop, then you know how I feel. I feel like I need to share with you, what led us to make this final decision.
I woke up at 2:30 am today. After tossing and turning until 4 am, I finally got up and decided to spend time with Jesus. While sitting on my couch, listening to prayer podcasts and praying, I heard God speaking to me…”I need you to let go of HCI. Let it go completely so your hands can be open for what’s next. Your next business will be under the Hidden Acres logo”…
You are probably wondering what that means. Well, weeks ago while at the track praying, I suddenly wasn’t “at” the track anymore. Instead, I saw myself on a gravel road and God spoke to me that this is the property/farm we will own. I saw several parts of it and felt a consuming joy fall all over me, then I heard Him say, “The farm will be called Hidden Acres.” Immediately, I saw a large entrance gate with the words “Hidden Acres” across the top. I later saw a website and knew our family would have a Hidden Acres cooperative. The name would be our “brand” and we would use it to cover many things like, Hidden Acres Publications, Hidden Acres Music, etc. So, when God spoke that to me this morning, it hit a very real place in my heart. It was more of His “Yes” to our future. More hope for us to cling to in this uncertain time.
But to get to that, it is imperative that we let go of the past.
I feel like some of you are having similar situations. Has God been showing some of you that you need to let go of something? I know it’s hard. I’ve been doing a ton of “letting go” in this season, but I know for certain that it’s going to be worth it.
If you are like me, and need to let something go, then will you join me in prayer today?
God, I know You want me to let go of this thing. It hurts so much to say goodbye, but because I trust You, I will do it. I know You have good plans for me. I know You love me. I also know that You alone know exactly what is coming. So, today I say goodbye to the past, and I turn fully to embrace the future. Help me to not be like Lot’s wife and look back when You’ve said not to…I once again, surrender to Your direction for my life. To our old business, I say, “Goodbye old friend. You have served us well. Thank you for the years of provision and relationship you brought into our life. We will never forget you and are so thankful.” God, I turn away now for the last time. Come hold me for a while, as I release this…In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah- from out of the heavens. Thus, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities- and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:24-26
365 Days in the Presence 