Oh Be D Ence

Hey guys. Where do I begin? :). I feel like I have so much to say! Soo...let's see... I finally decided that I'm gonna start reading about David. After my last reading plan ended,I was a little confused as to where to go from there, but I am pretty excited about what God is going to show me through the life of David. The first thing I read the other day was in 1 Samuel 15, regarding God's rejection of Saul as King. In a nutshell: Saul was commanded to defeat the Amalekites and destroy ALL their livestock. Instead Saul decided to spare the life of Agag (the Amalekite king), and preserved the best livestock to sacrifice it to God instead. That was a NO-NO. Saul obeyed mere men instead of being obedient to the commandment of God. I mean, obviously in our human minds we can rationalize "but God, they wanted to give you a great offering"
 But, as the Prophet Samuel told Saul, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (v.22). 


This totally got me. So many times, I will think I have a GREAT idea, and God MUST be on board with it...when in reality, all He is calling me to do is simply obey. 


Later on that night when I went to my campus ministry meeting (Christian Campus Fellowship), my campus director was preaching about obeying God. He challenged us to go in prayer and ask God, "what aspects of my life am I not being obedient?" It's one of those questions I wanted to ask, but was kind of afraid because I was pretty sure I already knew the answer.
 
Let me be honest with you guys, one of the hardest things for me to obey God in is my career choice. Yeah, no kidding. I literally get scared and fearful (which is not of God), when I think about the ways in which He might want to use me. I get nervous and anxious about the dreams and passions He has placed inside of me.

I was walking the other day, and I realized that many times when I walk, I look at my feet. I had just came from visiting one of my best friends, and she was SUPER EXCITED about an idea that she was finally working towards. Now, I've known this girl for almost 10 years, and she HAS always been a "FAITH" girl. I mean, she dreams BIG and isn't afraid of it. I left her presence being so pumped about her idea, but then I got discouraged, thinking: "what am I doing with the passions that God has given me?" That's when I realized on my walk back home that I stared at my feet a lot. I always have enough faith to make that next step. 
 
                To go to that next audition. To sing that one song. To act in that play.


I've come to realize though, that through simple obedience and trust in what God tells me to do I end up being planted where He has called me. God is Good you guys! He knows each of His children specifically, and knows how to uniquely speak to each of our hearts! I'll take courage in the fact that even though my future might seem daunting at times, I know that He has NEVER failed me, and that through faith in who He is and obedience to what He tells me, I'll find that I end up being in His perfect will.. Reminds me of the verse in Isaiah 30 that says
"Your own ears will hear him (God). Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”whether to the right or to the left." 

That's super encouraging. I might not have everything figured out, but I'm trusting the One who does! 

Most Importantly, I urge you all to remember that we serve the Risen Savior ( Jesus), who was obedient to the point of death.So that He could reconcile us to Himself. Making a beautiful exchange: our sins, for His righteousness! 

Other resources I found helpful regarding this topic:

 https://community.focusonthefamily.com/b/boundless/archive/2014/02/05/ready-for-the-real-world-take-action.aspx

                                       Simple, practical,great article

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/i-know-the-plans-i-have-for-you

                    3  minute Video by John Piper on Jer 29:11

Scripture References: Isaiah 30, Jer 29:11

Have an awesome Friday  guys!!