From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. – Luke 12:48
Lately I have been really challenged by how powerful God is and what He can do through me. I’ve been challenged by my lack of trust and faith. I’ve been challenged by my ability to overlook, or more honestly, discount God’s promises. I’ve been challenged by my lack of training and lack of preparation for the battle; ready to exit the safety of my stronghold with only pieces of my armor, not my suit of armor in its fullness. More so, I’ve been challenged by the questions: Am I ready to stand up for my faith and declare who my God is no matter what difficult situations arise challenging that faith? Am I willing to listen to the Holy Spirit when people tell me not to? Am I ready to do what is right even if it isn’t easy? Am I willing to live out a bold and radical faith in a society that enjoys a safe and comfortable Jesus? Am I ready to surrender it all?
If I am being completely transparent, when I first considered these questions I didn’t ponder them for myself, but for my future spouse. I began to write a letter to him, asking him to stand firm in his faith when troubles arise, asking him to listen to the Holy Spirit even if popular opinion tells him otherwise, and requesting that he pursues the truth and does what is right even if it isn’t easy. It didn’t take me long to realize I needed these requests too, probably more…definitely first. I cannot ask my husband to lead me in faith if I am not ready to follow and support him when these difficult decisions and situations arise.
I am praying that my husband has courage, but I need courage too. I am praying that he fervently chases after God, but I don’t expect him to chase God alone. I am praying that his prayers are full of authenticity and that he daily seeks wisdom from the Word of God because I am already committed to do the same. The thing is, I don’t want my husband to merely lead me…I want him to walk alongside me, like Jesus is. I want his example to be something I can grasp and learn from through encouragement and loyalty. I want us both to have our entire armor equipped. I want us both prepared and willing to surrender it all.
To the wonderful son of God willing to earn my heart,
I don’t expect you to be perfect, I don’t expect you to always have the answers or to know the right things to say. I just pray you keep trying and keep coming into the game no matter the difficulty of your circumstances. However, know all of the weight isn’t on your shoulders. I am here to carry the burdens you face too, alongside you, and give you courage when you feel your courage is lost.
I pray you always keep God in the center of your heart, your mind and your actions. Yet, in the rare times you don’t, I am here to point you back to our Creator and Redeemer. I am here to remind you how much you are loved, forgiven and respected all the more for your honesty, humility and vulnerability.
I pray that you are never afraid to declare who your Father in Heaven is and that you help me teach our children to do the same, because Matthew 10:32-33 says:
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in Heaven.
I pray that you never doubt yourself or doubt the amazing works the Lord can do and will do through your faith, obedience and trust. As Jefferson Bethke writes in his book Jesus > Religion, “A crooked stick can still draw a straight line, and a messed-up dude like me can still write about an awesome God. I’ve tasted grace and I can’t help but tell others about it.” All I ask is that you encourage me to do the same.
I pray that you remember you are wonderfully and handsomely made. This handsomeness radiates from your heart; through your genuine words, your thoughtful actions and your ability to extend forgiveness and grace. It also comes from your confidence in faith, your attentiveness in the Holy Spirit and your courage to always do what is morally right.
Finally I pray that you are willing to surrender it all, even me, to our Living God. I am not afraid to die, I am not afraid of where the Lord leads us, nor am I afraid of the trails I know we will face. My only fear is to live my life outside the will of God. I did that for 25 years and I don’t want to go back. I am ALL in and I pray that you are ALL in with me.
Wholeheartedly,
Isa
To everyone: Are you ready to stand up for your faith no matter the circumstances? Are you willing to listen to the Holy Spirit when people tell you not to? Are you willing to live the bold and radical faith it takes to follow our fearless Jesus? Are you ready to surrender it all?
