allume

real light living

When you answer God’s call for you…

By

 1 Thessalonians 5:24 "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." #Allume

All of life is a story, and as we live, our stories are are still being written. The greatest of Authors is God. We pray for God to have His way in our life. When He does, all our glorious plans can be taken through a sifter, and feel as if our life is being shaken, no parts left unsettled. His plan is so much different than our own, isn’t it? When we offer God our lives, our desires, our dreams, our blogs, He takes us at our word. Then, He requires us to act on it. He requires our obedient surrender.

And what does that mean, really?

It means relinquishing our own brilliant ideas that have been blinding us to His way, releasing the ambitions that were starting to consume us, and letting go of the strategies we began to put our trust in. It means heeding His Word, yielding to His direction, following His lead. Even though where He leads it is not where everyone else seems to be going, and not nearly at the same pace.

Not because everyone else is doing it wrong, but because it’s not what God’s has for you. Following, when you cannot see what’s before you, can be scary. But it’s also the way a life is lived brave, where adventure in God is found, where we learn to truly trust and be led by His Spirit.

“Writing won’t make you a good character in your own story. Living will.” — Darrell Vesterfelt

I’ve been doing some hard, real-life living lately, less story-telling, and things are quiet at my place. My one week blog break has turned into a month-long-one and is slowly becoming two. I’ve kept my writing commitment here at the Allume blog, and one other place I get to contribute. But, my blog has been mostly dormant.

 

Most of us call ourselves believers,
but how many of us would Jesus call His followers? <– Tweet?

 

I want to be counted among them, even if it means I have to leave good things behind to follow Him. Whenever God asks us to give up something, it’s not to deprive us of the desires of our heart. It’s because what He has for us is so much greater. In order to lay hold of what is before us, we have to let go of what is behind us. That, my friend, can be the hardest part.

This process changes us, it matures us from the inside out, it purifies our motives, and it grows our faith. It’s also where we live-out our story. There’s a fight within because our will is strong. It takes a wrestling, and often, an invisible struggle to the death-of-self to bring us to the place we can honestly say, “Nevertheless, not my will be done but Yours, Father.”

That place my friend, is surrender.

Writing A Life Surrendered

I’m not the same person I was when I began my blog break this time, which I take regularly every 7th week. And even now, while I write out these words in pen bleeding blue, sitting in a waiting room, still in God’s waiting room, I remember the line I ended my post with, “I’ll be back soon, but hopefully, not so much the same.”

And God took me at my word. I didn’t want to be the same, but I didn’t know that change I longed for would be so difficult to walk through, or take so long. Ugly parts of me have been revealed in the mirror of His word: envy, jealousy, rivalry, selfishness, fear of man, fear of failure, fear of rejection, and a few unlovely others. Yes, I still struggle with all of the above. Sometimes, I think I’ve overcome, then He calls me higher. And I realize there is so much more work to be done.

He does the transformative work. Our part is to answer His call. (1 Thess 5:24)

Faithful is He Who is calls you, and He will also do it. <– Tweet?

Amen? Amen.

 

Still living a life surrendered,

Michele-Lyn

Comments

  2. So much in this that makes me whisper, “Amen!” While we’re reaching for something that God is moving out of our reach, He preparing to give us something so much better and yet we want to cling to the familiar. I am a believer, but am I a Jesus follower? Well, that’s the heart of the matter and a matter of the heart, isn’t it? Thanks for this – I needed it today!

    • Kim,

      I’m so glad your heart agree with Amen! I think in every step we take God’s desire is that each one is a step closer to Him! And then He just keeps leading us further. Thank you for your heart!

  3. “Whenever God asks us to give up something, it’s not to deprive us of the desires of our heart. It’s because what He has for us is so much greater. In order to lay hold of what is before us, we have to let go of what is behind us. That, my friend, can be the hardest part.” This totally captures the past few years of my walk with the Lord. I’ve held dreams about adoption, specifically, a few times and had to hand them back to the Lord and trust Him to refine my dreams and heart to be in line with His vision. It’s been the hardest thing, and I only now, after probably 7 years, two failed adoptions, one new baby, a boy in Ukraine who will forever be my heart-son and a family of 8 refugees (one is his best friend – and they ALL MOVED IN 3 HOUSES AWAY when the States brought them here finally) who I met when we went to Ukraine to spend a week at his orphanage after having said “we’ll adopt you” then hearing “no, you can’t, and he’s aging-out” (ok, SUCH a run-on sentence)…. am I now able to just say, “Ok, Jesus… You can just take my plans and I’m ok with letting go of them… what you have for me is good….” I am a dream-clinger, sometimes in a way that’s more me than Jesus… I need this word from you today. Thank you! God’s teaching me to let HIM write the story.

    • Shannon,

      Oh, my heart is heavy with you. We don’t always know the reason “why” do we? Ever? But we do know that the One who holds all of our days is faithful. We know that He does not ever change, and our hope can be steadfast in Him because He is unwavering, though everything else around us is uncertain.

      I love your heart. Father God reads these words you’ve typed and I can sense He is pleased with you. I pray that as you continue walking this journey you are on, and as you surrender more and more of you to Him, that you will see His hand of provision, grace and blessing every step of the way. Though it may not look like how you thought, I pray you see how He works everything in your life for good because you are called for His purpose.

      Blessings, friend.

  5. Yes! God is faithful, to do that which He has called. Amen, and a thousand times Amen. Living a life of ministry can be so scary sometimes, thank you for this reminder.

    • A life of ministry is a life of servanthood, and we have the greatest example of all to follow. And even then, fear tries to grip up us, paralyze us. But He’s already spoken words of hope and life, hasn’t He? I forget.

      “Do not fear. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

      Amen? Amen.

  6. Please know how deeply this touches me today, my friend. It’s been a hard week. Really hard. And this brings me such encouragement to keep going. To keep saying yes to God, even as I feel so weak and somewhat unwilling. Pray for me? Love you.

    • Kris,

      It’s wonderful to meet you here in this place. My week as has been most challenging as well. I appreciate your prayers, and please know, my prayers are being offered on your behalf.

      Admitting our “somewhat unwillingness” is where God meets us. Our honesty is part of our surrender. He does the work in us. It’s a work of His Spirit, and it is His kindness that brings us to repentance.

      I am so grateful to be on this journey with you, my friend. Much love to you! <3

  7. Oh I get this…. My last blog post was titled ” temporary or terminal ?” It has been a very long time since I have posted…. For the most part I am at peace…there are seasons in life and many times we think just because God called us to do something we are to keep doing it….many times our actions are based on how useful we think we are to God…. Big audience… Small…audience of One….giving a cup of cold water….reading to our children…. It is All the same in His kingdom…He just wants us to follow Him….no matter if through the desert…up the mt….or through lush fields…. Love leads us…Love never fails us…Love is always faithful .
    I thought of this Bob Goff quote…There’s nothing unique about saying we’re following Jesus; what makes us unique, is actually following Jesus.
    Michele-lyn. I know God will lead you to the exact right place….deeper into His heart of Love

    • Ro,

      “Many times our actions are based on how useful we think we are to God….” It shouldn’t be, but it is. We do this, don’t we?

      I want to understand and practice in my life, that size does not equal significance. Oh, how I want to believe it every day! It’s our obedience to Him because of our love for Him that is most important! And I love that quote from Bob Goff. Just love!

      Thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for being a faithful encourager. Thank you for still being here. Blessings, sweet friend. <3

  8. Amazing words Michele! Letting go of our own plans in order to follow Him is hard. I am discovering that when I give up myself, He shows me something so much better. I’m with you. I want to be counted among His followers, and I want to give up my life for His glory. It is a long road of surrender, but He is with us every step of the way. And for that I am thankful. I miss reading your words Michele; always so lovely and full of Him. May God bless you abundantly today!

    • Sarah,

      You are a life-giving blessing today. Your words have encouraged my soul. Your heart is evident in them. Thank you for still being here. 🙂 I hope to be back, soon. And new again.

      I just have to remember when I stand before Him on that day, it’s not anyone else’s life that I will be accountable for. Only my own.

      Blessings as you journey on this long road of surrender. It’s where life is found. <3

  9. Beautiful words my friend. I’ve found myself becoming so overwhelmed with trying to do what I believed He’s called me to do, that I’ve lost sight of Him. So I’ve been shrinking back a little. I know He wants to pull me in tighter and loosen my hold on other things. I love your heart, dripping with Him. I’ve been washed this morning. Thank you!

    • Barbie,

      I’ve been thinking of you so very much! And I know what you mean, “I’ve found myself becoming so overwhelmed with trying to do what I believed He’s called me to do, that I’ve lost sight of Him.”

      I crashed and burned. I knew I was headed that way for a while, but it came suddenly when it did. It’s like I’ve needed time to heal and God is setting me back on my feet in His time, His way.

      He is faithful to draw near when we draw near to Him. Let Him pull you in, friend. You may be surprised by what He whispers to you when He whispers your name. Love you! <3

  10. Sifting and shaken -that has been me in the last year, and how painful and trying and wonderful it has been. Thank you for describing the process so beautifully.

    • Christy,

      Painful and wonderful. Yes, Amen! That makes me think of the verse, “For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” Heb 12:2

      We were His joy. And He is our joy.

  11. Just amazing Michelle to witness His work n you. It has been a struggle , I know, but we are constantly a work in progress and He is always chipping away at us. You have surrendered so much of yourself in Him and publicly, by your writings and your blog, but if you only knew the impact your courage and grace has taught us, you would be so overwhelmed. Thank you friend, for taking the mask off and being both fearful and fearless through His power to open your heart and thoughts to us. Loving your journey, girl! Loving you!

    • Sue,

      Oh my! I am overwhelmed, even now, by your most generous, encouraging comment. Thanks does not seem enough. It’s been so hard, lately. I know it’s for a purpose, but I also know that God brings people along the way to encourage us. It’s why community is so important. I appreciate that you are joined with me in community, albeit online, it’s no less real. You’ve blessed me! Thank you, friend. <3

  12. yes. yes. yes. I, too, am wrestling and groaning and living in the tension. These words speak deeply to my soul and are encouragement to keep going, keep wrestling, and keep holding on to HIM for all He is worth!

    • Erika,

      Yes! Keep going. What’s before you is so much greater than what’s behind. Look how far you’ve come! The days are difficult, but they are meant to walk through to get to the place God is leading you too.

      These are the same words I encourage my own soul with. Bless you sister, as you journey. We are not in this alone!

  13. Loved reading this. Yes, there is so much work to be done in me as well. Love that you take regular blog breaks and I’m challenging myself to schedule those up in my writing life as well. Thanks for your inspiring and heartfelt words.

    • Rosann,

      So, I get the reward for latest-comment-replyer. 😉 I didn’t see your comment and a few others until tonight. I am sorry about that. Did you decide on taking those breaks? My last break turned into 2 months. I am back blogging again with renewed focus and more clearly identified purpose. Yet, that didn’t come easy. I had to let go of a lot. But God is faithful to lead. 🙂

  14. Yes…Amen! Oh the refining, unveiling process of the onion skin being peeled back layer by layer. And we are not the same. I am encouraged though that no matter where we start and where we end, His love is unshakable. Bless you friend!

    • You are so right! His love is unshakable. I love that word! I’ve been through a shaking. It seems no part of my life has been left untouched. But through is all, He has remained. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. And the work He began, He will complete. So faithful!

      I know I am so late replying to your comment. I actually didn’t see it until just now. But thank you, friend. Your words encouraged me tonight!

  15. I know this is a few days later, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your heart. It seems God deals with us much the same. It seems like everytime I read what you contribute here I can hear the echo of God’s words that He has been speaking in my own life. “Whenever God asks us to give up something, it’s not to deprive us of the desires of our heart. It’s because what He has for us is so much greater.” <— Yes. As some big life changes have happened, I have had to let go of some things. And I've felt like I have been in a bit of a fog and so unsure of where God is leading me. I have found myself in a place where God is dealing with all my ugly and the deep wounds in my heart. And I feel so broken. I met with someone yesterday who I really respect for counsel. She reminded me of this: "He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul." "He that dwells in the secret place will abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The one thing I need and the one thing God so wants to do is to tuck me in close and do some soul restoration. And its hard. But its so good too. He is such a good Father. And he restores my soul. Amen. 🙂 Standing here with you, sister. xo

    • Amanda,

      I really should check back sooner, just in case there were some who read the post after the first day. I’m sorry for the late reply. Truly, I am. I am so blessed when someone takes the time to type a heart-felt comment, and I never take it for granted. And the least I can do is reply and say thank you. 🙂 I am working on a post I will be writing on Friday for Allume, and I came back to see what my last post was. And here you were. It was a month ago that you wrote here, and I wonder how you are now. I know God does not leave us in a broken place to stay broken, but we are always in the process of being made whole. I hope that you’ve stayed close, and God has stayed near as He has done a redemptive work in you. I sense your love and devotion for Him in your words. Thank you for sharing with me.

      Blessings, friend.

  16. Michele I just wanted to take a moment to comment. I followed your link here and read this story. I went back and read some more and felt I need to tell you thank you. Thank you for being a light shining in the dark. Thank you for allowing others to see Jesus in the midst of this mess called life. But most of all, thank you for pointing others to The ONE who is our hope and help.

    You don’t tell your reader what to do or to try harder but you do tell them where to go…to the cross, to Christ, to our Father. Because it doesn’t matter what I do or how hard I try it will be for nothing if I don’t allow Christ to do the “doing” of what is needed.

    So thank you.

    • Sharon,

      I hope you get this reply. I didn’t see your comment until today, July 24th, and I’m sorry for that. But it seems that your words have come at a most perfect time to encourage my heart, and confirm the direction God is leading. I hope you get to read my thank you. Thank you for being obedient to type out these words. It is as if God is speaking to me through them.

      Blessings, friend.

Categories

Archives

Google+