Obedience
Obedience has been such a theme lately in my life. God is speaking it out more than ever. I am looking back at some things and just realizing I am in where I am because of obedience.
My time at no longer bound. I didn’t want to do that but I obeyed. My time staying of for a year of internship. I didn’t really want to do that but I simply said yes because I know that’s where he wanted me to be. Leaving for the world race wasn’t really a thing I wanted to do. I didn’t love travel but I chose to do it anyways. About 6 months in I got asked to go back out and help be apart of a leadership team for another group. I immediately knew what God wanted me to do although I had other plans. I ended up saying yes and having an incredible time and I grew more than I imagined I would. My plans afterwords were to go to college and finish my degree then get my masters in counseling. But before I left again I was listening to this man named Ethan speak and after he said a few words I knew that’s what God wanted for me. So I made a commitment to leaving the country yet again for another nine months even though my flesh wanted other things.
See over the past four years I have been faced with many decisions. A lot of them were hard. And the few I mentioned above were life changing. None of it was anything I wanted to do. I simply said yes. Even if I didn’t know it was God leading me to No Longer Bound at the time. I do now. And I have realized that if I had chosen other paths I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today. And I like where I am. Actually, I love it. I have very few material possessions that I have bought, don’t get me wrong I am blessed. But I am more content than I have ever been. I make very little money and am often asking you all to help me raise what I don’t have to go out on the field. And you have all blessed me more than you know. But I don’t have the ability to do certain things other people my age are doing. Whether it’s buying a home or getting a new car or whatever it may be. But I really don’t even want any of that. I’ve gotten to the point where all of that is secondary. I want to love and be loved by God every single day. And I want to wake up with a willingness in my heart just to simply obey. It has simply been the willingness to say yes that has been the biggest factor the last couple of years.
I was listening to a podcast the other day and the man said “obedience is Gods love language”. I thought about it for a while and let it sink in. Throughout my past few years God has been taking me out deeper and deeper in the waters. And all he’s asking is can I go a little bit more?
I was listening to this podcast and thinking ok well I am obedient so it’s all good. Then today in my quiet time I read 1 John Chapter 2. It says
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
??
1 John? ?2:3-6? ?NIV??
Again. The theme of obedience is screaming at me. And this time it’s not just obey and I’ll take care of you but it’s obey and that’s how the world will know you love me. That is how they will know that you are mine. That’s how they will know you are different. Simply because you obey. I thought to myself good stuff God. And went on my way.
But that wasn’t the end. I was at dinner tonight with my buddy Kyle. It’s his birthday. I love Kyle. He’s an awesome man. But as we were eating I got this overwhelming sense that I needed to go pray for the woman across from me. I thought haha ok God. No. So I didn’t and I kept eating. Until I couldn’t eat anymore. And all I could do was think about how badly I did not want to go interrupt someone’s meal to pray for them. Eventually it became to much and I went over. I introduced myself and asked if I could pray for her and if there was anything she wanted prayer for. She looked at me and it almost looked as if she was going to cry and said yes, just strength. So I prayed and went on my way. This isn’t a story about a miracle that happened at dinner because honestly not much that I know happened. Although I believe Gods moving in her and maybe she just needed a sign from him.
It’s a story about myself. About how I want to be obedient to God first and how badly I crave that. Yet when the time came to go do what was asked I struggled. I actually said no and started saying well if she does this i will. Or i can just push it down until it goes. But the difference between me now and a year ago is that now I can’t just shove that down. I had to do it. And it scares the crap out of me that I’m at that point but it’s also beautiful. He doesn’t need me to heal the sick every second or go out and evangelize every minute. He simply needs me, and all of you, to say yes. Wherever we are. Whatever we are doing. We just have to say yes. And he will take care of the rest. I believe that we are so good at muting the voice of God that these simple acts are rare. And I know there are a ton of people out there and loving random people everyday. But what would it look like if we all woke up with one goal. Ya, we take care of the things and responsibilities that God has given us but what if we all just wanted to obey daily. To say God I have to go do this but if you have other plans just tell me and I’m there. All I want today is to do what you ask of me.
I just keep thinking, what would this world look like if we all had that goal every day. And a lot of you do but as a body of people pushing each other toward that goal. I don’t know what it would look like but I bet its similar to that kingdom that Jesus dude used to talk about all the time. I want that life where everyday it’s a new adventure because I’m doing something a lot of the time I don’t want to do but I’m experiencing people and miracles by simple saying yes and stepping out of the boat.
That’s my thoughts from today. I’m still fundraising for my upcoming season. I’ll be attending Generation 42 a leadership program in Spain where I get to learn more and go deeper with the father. I believe it’s where God has called me and is taking me. I have raised a couple hundred dollars over the last few days and I’m extremely thankful for that. I need about 6.700 more. And I need about 1.200 more before March 3rd. If you would like to support me financially reach out and I will give you the link. PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ON THIS PAGE. If you would like to continue supporting me through Facebook, blog comments and prayer please do. That’s my favorite thing. When I see all of you encouraging me it helps affirm my choice I have made and that I am heading where Gods calling me.
Also, if anyone around Atlanta has clothes or bibles they have laying around I would love to come collect them. I have been praying and seeing God bring a lot of homeless people in my path. I have gotten to give out some blankets, money and a bible to some people who just needed to hear someone cared about them. Just message me and I’ll get back to you.
Thank you all.
I love y’all.
God is good.
