There's Leaving in the Following

Photo from here.

For the past several weeks, I've been working through Henry Blackaby's study Experiencing God with my Small Group. It's been the most pivotal, transforming study I've ever done.

But Sunday night's lesson still lingers.

It caused me to ponder about this faith walking we do with God.

   What it takes.

      What it requires.

         What we have to give up.

It's a leap of faith into a story already in motion. His story.

If we're honest with ourselves, this journey He calls us to embrace often stands in direct opposition to what we planned.

Just think about these scenarios from Scripture:

• David had to leave his sheep to become King (1 Sam. 16:1-13)
• Noah couldn't maintain a daily routine and build an ark at the same time (Gen. 6)
• Moses couldn't herd desert sheep and stand before Pharaoh simultaneously (Ex. 3)

So there's leaving in the following.

Their lives, like so many others throughout Scripture, offer us hope and courage to leave the comfortable to follow God into an uncomfortable, incredible, divine journey.

Have you ever given up anything to follow God?

For example, I didn't grow up in the church. I had my life all figured out.

And it didn't include God.

I felt cozy with my safe job, loving family, circle of friends, and daily routine. I steered my own ship and that's exactly how I preferred it.

Until God stepped in and interrupted.

As I began attending church, learned about God's love, and the sacrifice He made to make us whole, I became an uber excited new Christian. I assumed everyone who loved me would voyage with me.

I could not have been more naive.

My family was supportive, but my friends didn't get it.

At all.

They weren't ready to strap on sandals for such an excursion. They liked their sandals where they sat.

But God kept after me, so I experienced a crisis: "If I believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, don't I have to trust Him enough to walk by faith and not by sight?"

That meant following God, not my friends.

It meant obedience when I didn't even know what I was agreeing to do.

Now, 20+ years later, I have only two friends remaining from that original circle. But God has provided new, amazing friends who are excited and passionate about this faith trek we now walk together.

I've experienced incomparable joys and profound losses. And He's used them to shape me into a vessel to write about and teach His Word.

A greater story I could not have possibly fathomed.

The expedition hasn't always been fun. But I wouldn't trade one single step for anything in the world.

We cannot stay where we are and go with God. 

He always calls us into bigger stories than the ones we would have written for ourselves.

Is God calling you to a life adjustment to prepare you for a calling in your life? How will you answer Him? Have you ever done Henry Blackaby's study "Experiencing God?"
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