Following Unbound

I say I believe in Him. I say I trust Him. I say I love Him. So why is it so difficult to follow Him?

It amazes me that the disciples didn’t hesitate or question Jesus more when He called them to be His companions and pupils! I imagine myself there, in front of the Messiah. His hand is outstretched, beckoning me to come.

Wait, Lord! What do you really want from me? Are you sure I have what it takes? Wouldn’t someone else be more suited? What about my family? Who will fulfill all my current obligations?

The questions would be endless. I wonder how long He would wait before tiring of my resistance.

I feel like I’m living this scenario out as I type. God is clearly calling me to follow Him into a writing and speaking ministry encouraging adults, but doubt has plagued me.

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He has His hand outstretched …

But I’m so scared!

“Trust me, daughter,” He whispers, waiting …

Others have much more inspirational words than me. I plead silently, looking for any way to bow out graciously.

“I will give you the words.” His eyes gaze at me with love. “All you have to do is trust. You will find me faithful.”

I can no longer resist.

Yes, Lord, I will…I do!

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My new ministry has begun, but the uncertainty doesn’t end.

Doubt and fear continue to haunt me. As I begin to reprioritize my life with this new focus in mind, questions remain (Who will fill my current roles? What if no one will step forward to do so? Where is God going with this?).

Satan is working overtime to get me to reconsider my acceptance. He would like nothing better than to have me turn away from my beckoning Lord.

However, no matter how fearful I am in the flesh, I do not have to be bound by that fear.

 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1–3).

Christ Jesus died so I can be free: free to follow, free to serve, free to love—free from fear!

Through the freedom of the Gospel, I am no longer a slave to Satan’s taunts of ineptitude or his suggestions of misunderstanding.

Following God’s leading is a matter of faith: faith in a Father that adores me, faith in a Savior that has rescued me, and faith in a Spirit that guides me.

And it doesn’t even have to be a lot of faith, just a little will do.

“He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey you.’” (Luke 17:6).

In the end, my mustard-seed faith proved enough; I answered His call. Reaching out, I took Jesus’ hand and am right now walking with Him into that wilderness, trusting that He is faithful to guide me safely through  the hazards (not always around as I would prefer).

I am following unbound.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:13).

You, too, can be unbound. As children of the One True God, you also can claim the promise of a faithful Father and the freedom found at the cross. Don’t be tempted to turn away from Jesus’ outstretched hand. Place your hand in His and begin the adventure!

Are you feeling God’s calling? Is fear or something else keeping you bound in slavery?

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I am linking up to Faith Barista’s Jam Thursday with this post, responding to the question, How Is God Currently Calling You To Walk By Faith? Check it out!