I’ve talked a lot in my blogposts about how we absolutely have to be WILLING to let God change us. So, when Chan started this section of the chapter talking about this very topic, I had to laugh. I think many of us make it much harder than it really is. Let Go, Let God. Right? Easy as pie.
<pause for laughter>
Oh, if only it were so simple. We are all running after something. It could be a dream God laid on our hearts. It could be our own selfish desires that are interfering with God’s divine plans for us. Either way, we are chasing after something. Do you want the race you are running to be worth it and bring glory to our Lord? Have you talked to God about your race lately to make sure you are following His Will and not running in another, safer direction? Do you even know the race that God wants you to run? We are only human. We want the easiest path; the less painful road; the one that will cause us the least amount of stress. It is just human nature.
But, my dear girlfriends . . . Jesus did not die so that we could live a complacent Christian life. He died so that we could live a full, rich life . . . walking alongside HIM! Jesus says that we will have trouble in this world. It is not a question of if, but when it will happen! When we take our eyes off of our Savior, our lives lose focus. Things get foggy. All of a sudden, the race gets a bit muddy and we have no idea which direction to turn. And sadly, this is when Satan can get a foothold into our lives and draw us even further away from where we should be.
“As we begin to focus more on Christ, loving Him and others becomes more natural. As long as we are pursuing Him, we are satisfied in Him. It is when we stop actively loving Him that we find ourselves restless and gravitating toward other means of fulfillment.”
(Francis Chan, pg 104)
BUT GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE! And He LOVES us SO very much!! We may stumble; we may even fall. But God is always there to help brush us off and get us back on the right track. When you lean into the Lord and put 100% of your focus on Him, He will make your path straight. That is a promise straight out of His Word.
So, put all of your focus on loving the Lord with every single molecule of your being. Let God move into every area your life. Ask Him what race you should be running and commit to taking a step of faith for His glory. Let every word that you speak, every keystroke that you make, let all you do glorify your Lord today.
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Let’s Pray:
Father, letting You into our lives may not be easy. There are some areas that are just difficult and may even be strongholds for us. Lord, I ask that You tear down these walls. Show us a step of faith that we can take today to let You into an area of our lives that we have closed off to You. We want to run the race that You have set before us. We do not want to chase after something that is not pleasing to You. Help us to love You, Father God, with all of our hearts. Remove any obstacles or barriers that are interfering with our love relationship with You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
Your Assignment:
What is something that you KNOW God is calling you to do, but you have been afraid to take that step of faith and actually DO it? Commit it to the Lord today and pray for strength and courage to take that step. God is right with you. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Share with us so we can pray with you.
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(umm…NOT…easy as pie! you are so right!) thank you, jennifer, for encouraging us…and for reminding us of truths in the Scriptures and promises from our loving Lord to help us as we keep running WITH Him. <3
<3 Thanks dear heart..
My husband and I both have felt called by God to become foster parents. I have to admit that this feels very scary to some degree. Today, we are to receive our first two placements; two boys ages 1-1/2 and 3-1/2. Although we ARE stepping out and allowing God to use us in this way, it is something that we know that we are going to have to depend on God 150%!! None of this will be done in our own strength! Knowing that God is with us is a big relief. Knowing that God will give us peace, grace, and patience, is also a big thing!! Knowing that God will use us to show these two little ones HIS love….priceless! Thank you for your prayers!!!
I am so excited for the both of you! God will use you in a mighty way to bless these young hearts. Praying for your family as you welcome them into your home and into your hearts. <3
Fostering is definitely a call by God! We have been treatment foster parents (the tough kids) for over 2 1/2 yrs. we have had some really rough kids, but honestly, God has brought everyone of them to our house, and if for no other reason than to hear about Him. Some have left an indelible imprint on our hearts, even tough we couldn’t let them live with us for their own safety (train tracks). We were very burnt out and were not going to take anymore, but once again, God has laid on our hearts to take kids back into our home. Now, rather than just fostering, we are looking at possibly adopting a 13 yr old (will know more by Friday). WE can make a difference in these kids lives, by loving them, caring for them and showing them who their real Father is! People will look at you like you are such a wonderful person by taking in these kids, BUT we are the blessed ones. We get to show them Gods love! We get to live them like they’ve probably never been loved before. We can show them what stability looks like. We ARE the hands and feet of God! If you need encouragement or just need someone to talk to I’ll inbox you with my number. You can call anytime!! I’ll also keep you and you’re family lifted up in prayer. This is not an easy task but prvbs 3:5-6. May our Father in heaven bless this task before you, guide you and give you the wisdom it will take to help the kids placed in you home! <3. R.
Proverbs 3:5-6–One of my favorite verses! When I’m challenged with something God has spoken to me, I put my name in the verse and make it very personal! This year God is challenging me through our pastor to be more open for opportunities to witness and lead others to Christ. Wow, that is out of my comfort zone! I definitely need His strength, courage, and leading!
I love doing that, too! That personal touch just makes His Word come alive and speak to me on a deeper level. You can do ALL THINGS through Him who gives you strength! You can do this, girlfriend! With God right there with you! <3