saltandlight

When I first accepted Christ I was a teenager. I was all in for Jesus! As a teenager, I hadn’t experienced a lot of life just yet. I felt fully surrendered to God. But as I lived more life, I was a little less surrendered…. I was still in church and doing all of the “church” things. But I had not learned the difference in being saved and being fully surrendered.

I think we all have to walk out our faith and learn what it means to fully surrender to Christ. But that is what church and discipleship is for. That is why it is so important to be in a good church that is teaching the Word of God from the beginning. If you are not rooted in the Word, and learning as you go, you might miss some important steps.

But the good news is – it’s never too late to grow. God gives us so much grace and mercy. He allows us to learn and grow in Him even after we have made mistake after mistake. Even after we have pushed Him away and tried to do life our own way!

I’ve been reading Priscilla Shirer’s book I Surrender All and one of the chapters that have stood out to me so far talks about Abiding. And since I have read that chapter I’ve heard those same verses in a couple of different places (podcasts, sermons etc). The Holy Spirit keeps bringing me back to them and gently reminding me: just abide.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

That particular verse has stood out to me the most. How many times do we get caught up in doing things, even things “for the Lord” yet we leave Him out of it? We take off like a wild horse and forget to abide in Him. We forget to talk with Him about it first and we forget to let Him lead.

I have been guilty of this so many times! I’ll get an idea. I may even pray about it a little. And then just take off with it without taking much time at all for Him to guide me. Have you ever prayed but you’ve already decided what you want the answer to be so you don’t really wait for the answer from God? Well I’ve done that. I’ve gotten better over the years about taking time and listening to Him first. Letting Him do the leading.

It’s easy to get caught up in good things, even Christian things, and still be out of alignment with God’s will. The question is:
Have we consulted the Heavenly Father?
Are we truly letting Him guide us?

A few times throughout my career I’ve been tempted and even encouraged to promote to a supervisor position. It’s so tempting just for the raise that comes with it! But extra stress and extra responsibility also comes with it. Now I could probably handle it I believe. I think I’d probably even be good at it. The most recent time that it has come up I really prayed about it (again) and I felt like the Lord was saying “No” – again. He has been dealing with me for years about writing. I know that if I take on a new position with extra responsibility and stress, the writing will be put to the side again. And I know that is not what He wants me to do. I really felt Him saying “I will take care of you, but you know what it is that you need to do“.

That kind of clarity has come after years of back and forth between me and the Lord. I’ve given Him all my excuses. I’ve told Him I don’t feel like a strong enough writer. But at this point, I’m choosing to be obedient – even if I don’t fully understand the “why.” I’m trying to abide. Because without Him I can do absolutely nothing!

In John Jesus refers to himself as the Vine. We are the branches. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

Unless we are abiding in Him, we cannot bear fruit. Our works will be in vain if we are out here running around trying to do everything – and not abiding in Him. Be careful that your works are not outweighing your obedience. Does that make sense? Be sure that you are following Him and not trying to take the lead yourself.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:7-9

Blessings,

~ Cheryl

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