Have you ever said “yes” to God? Maybe you thought you did but were actually making your own decisions about your life. I came face to face with my own lack of faith in September of 2023, when I turned 35 years old. That’s right little sister- I am seriously your big sister talking here!
My life looked nothing like what I had imagined it would by this point. No husband, or family of my own, no career to speak off, and mired in a frustrating cycle of what my pastor calls “griping and moaning.” I felt like a failure.
It was at this time that I decided to say “yes” to God. Don’t get me wrong I was not saying yes to salvation- been there!- I was saying yes to obedience.
In the time of some self reflection before the nominal day of my birth, I came to the realization that much of my situation is my own fault. I had tried to take control of my life, make decisions, and pick opportunities of my own choosing that I then expected God to bless.
Do you do that, Friend?
Do you have an expectation for your life and then go after that vision with single minded determination? Do you then believe God will bless it, even though you never actually sought His guidance or input in the first place?
Or maybe, you let life happen. You make choices and pick the options you think are available and label them “God’s will.” Yet you did it without delving into His word or seeking His council. No effort needed, and the fear of making the wrong choice somewhat tamed, because God must have wanted you to be here if you are here right?
I have become a firm believer that God has a plan for you. It’s not just His plan for the church as a whole- remember friends lets read God’s word in context!- But for you specifically. If He knit you in your mothers womb, cares about ever single hair on your head, and writes the days of your life in the Lamb’s book of life- don’t you think He would care about what you would do in your life, how you would live it?
The problem comes when we don’t seek close relationship with Him and rely on our own judgements to make the biggest decisions in our life- or avoid them. Just look at Abraham in Genesis- the times when he took life by the horns things didn’t go very well, and had lasting consequences for generations to come. But when he walked with the Lord and followed His direction life was may have been hard but it was filled with wonders, blessings, and joys.
That is why saying “yes” to obedience is so important. Its about putting your dreams, desires, and expectations for your life down at the feet of Jesus. When I said “yes” to the Lord in September in the matter of one week I was on an unplanned mission trip with a wonderful church of persecuted Chinese Christians, I was given a new opportunity to serve in a creative way surrounded by friends, had new job opportunities, and got to go swing dancing- something I had always wanted to do!- How crazy is that?
My goal is to say “yes” to God this year. To lay down my own wants and go, instead, where God calls. Will you join me in this adventure, Friends? In one year lets see how far we go, how deep our faith becomes, and how much we grow and change when we stop trying to make all the decisions alone and allowing God the oppurtunity to direct our steps.
