Fully Follow
I remember the first time I wanted to be a writer, an author to be more specific. I was in Kindergarten at Austin Elementary School in Sulphur Springs, TX. The school is no longer there, but the desire in my heart sure is. Over the years, writing has become an outlet for me to get out my thoughts on paper (or the screen nowadays). I love writing about everything from our children’s birthday parties to the personal things God is teaching me as I study His word.
I’m not sure why my path through school never led me to a degree for writing, but I know the path that I took was the one that God intended, and it led me to the point where I am now. I wish I had kept a running tab of all the times God has put on my heart to write over the years and all the ways He’s shown me this was what He had for me. He has used people throughout my life to encourage me and spur me on in this area.
But the enemy has always fought hard to keep me from pursuing this dream, passion, and call from the Lord. He has continually made me doubt my ability, question who would even read it, and kept me thinking I was too busy or not quite ready. His fighting is all the more reason to dig in deep and battle back because it reminds me that he doesn’t want me to step in to what the Lord has for me fully. He doesn’t want me to glorify the Lord in my work. The enemy doesn’t want me to use the gifts the Lord has given me for His purposes because the enemy knows God will be victorious.
Deuteronomy 11:8 reminds us that being obedient to the Lord prepares our hearts and lives to receive what He has for us. God wanted the Israelites to keep His commands so that they would be able to “have strength and cross into and possess the promised land.” When we keep His commands and we are obedient to Him, we are in the position to live out the calling He has placed on our lives. I can not receive and live out what He has in store for my life if I do not take those first steps of obedience.
However, I’m not called to simply take the first steps. I am called to surrender my entire life to Him and fully follow wherever He leads and calls me. Caleb said in Joshua 14:8 that he “followed the Lord completely.” Some versions say “wholeheartedly,” which exemplifies the command to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” (Matthew 22:37) I want the same to be said of me that Caleb said of himself. I want to follow the Lord completely, wholeheartedly.
Where is God calling you to fully follow Him? For me, it’s writing. So I’ve pressed “publish” on a Facebook page. I’ve worked on building my website after securing a domain God put on my heart years ago. I’m taking down all the notes as He fills my heart and mind. And I’m seeking Him on what my next steps should be with each step I take.
