ately I've had to realize that my plans for my life do not match God's plans. It's hard, because I wanted my life to look a certain way and I wasn't willing to let go of that image or those dreams.
After 9 exhausting months of wrestling with the Lord about these things, I finally realize this is no way to live. I was telling myself that I wanted to let God have control of my life, and yet I was subconsciously clinging to one little aspect of it with all I had in me because I thought it would be too painful to let it go.
Turns out the real pain was in holding on to it for as long as I did. I recently read a quote in my devotional book by Joyce Meyer: "The pain of staying the same is much worse than the pain of changing." I know this first hand now, and I totally agree.
Now that I've let go of my own desires, I have real hope for the future. My life ahead of me looks a lot different than it did just a few days ago, and I'm planning some BIG changes.
I know the Lord is leading me in this, because the peace I feel is consuming every part of me. I have not felt so free in such a long time...maybe ever!
I shared this story sometime last year, and I feel just like the little girl in the story who was so heartbroken when she had to give up her fake, $2.00 pearl necklace. But when she gave up the fake pearls, her father gave her real pearls in exchange. "He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure."
Last night while I was thinking about all of this, the song "I'm Moving on" by Rascal Flatts came on my Pandora station. I thought it was fitting for where I am today. Especially this part:
"I'm moving on
At last I can see
Life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees
But I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind
That those days are gone."
At last I can see
Life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees
But I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind
That those days are gone."
I know I've posted this question multiple times before, but what are you holding onto today? Take a very close look, because I was blinded for months about the fact that I was holding out on the Lord, afraid to give Him this one part of my life. But I'm so glad I finally surrendered it all. I'm feeling so much freedom today!
Thank you for this post. It was very Divinely ordained in my life today. Love it when God speaks!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be awesome to see how God uses you in the lives of others. This scripture in my daily reading seems appropriate for you today:
ReplyDeleteRomans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings, SusanD
I love it when God keeps knocking on our heart even when we're too blind/stubborn to get it. He doesn't give up on us, and that is such a beautiful thing! Thankful for your peace today! Praise God!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Jessica, and a great reminder. It's amazing the peace the Lord gives us when we just give things over to Him!
ReplyDeleteI know that I have such a hard time giving things up and letting God take over my life. I think it's only in our human nature to want to take charge and fight God on the things that we want. I always find out that in the end, if I let God take control, I end up 100 times more blessed. But I always learn that the hard way.
ReplyDeleteI love that story about the little girl with the pearl necklace. And I can totally relate. I am excited to see what the future holds for you!
ReplyDelete