Lynn Cowell
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 1:43 (NIV)
Illuminating a small circle just in front of our feet, the flashlight provided safety and direction for only our next step as Rose and I took our pre-sunrise walk. Anxiety eventually gave way to comfort as we discussed the day ahead. We knew the light would lead us in the right direction. We just had to take the next step...
Taking the next step is something Jesus recommended a very long time ago. "Come and you will see." "Follow me." These were the words Jesus spoke to the disciples as He called them. He didn't sit them down and reveal what the next three years would hold. He knew they would be overwhelmed; possibly even turn around. He chose to keep it simple. "Follow me" was all He said. Take the next step...
As a teen, I wanted to know my future. Will all my dreams come true? What college will I attend? Will I work in a church; marry a pastor? Will I live in Iowa near my family? Jesus knew the answers to those questions all along. I didn't go to college. I don't work in a church, nor did I marry a pastor. He knew. In wisdom, He chose to reveal only enough light for me to take the next step.
Sometimes, I catch myself wishing again that I could see my future. I get wrapped up in fear or worry. Career worries: Will I still have this job in five or ten years? Mom worries: Will my children marry spouses passionate about Jesus? Marriage worries: Will my husband and I enjoy a long retirement together? I can spin around issues that really don't have anything to do with this day, with my next step.
Jesus knows. He knows which answers are "yes" and which ones are "no." He knows when and where to reveal to me my next step. My part is simply to take the next step in obedience.
When I was younger, I did not understand those times when He said "no" were stepping stones to His amazing "yes." I learned in the dark that when I step forward in trust and obedience, blessing is down the path. I also had to learn that even those pathways that held pain where part of the process. They were stepping stones in my journey of choosing obedience over worry, fear and control.
Now, when fear and doubt surface in the dark I silence the "what ifs." I remember Jesus' words, "Follow me," and get back on the path that is flickering just ahead-and simply take the next step…a step of trust. I ask Him what I need to do for just today. I walk away from worry by expressing my concerns to Jesus and trust His ability to take care of each and every step.
Dear Lord, the dark can be frightening. Jesus, sometimes my ability to trust seems so much smaller than the step I need to take. Help me to build a history with You. A history of seeing You will help me trust You over and over and over again. I want that. I put my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Desperate Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Purchase a spiral notebook and write on the front "My History with God." Document areas in your life where unrest lies. Leave space under each entry for room to record God's care for you in these areas. One day, this will be your testimony to pass on!
Life for teens can be confusing. Many choices come their way, yet often there is not enough light in their lives to guide them to the right decision. Would you consider investing in the life of a teen through mentoring? Lynn is sharing with teens today the benefits of being mentored at www.RadRevolution.org. Join in the conversation!
Reflections:
What areas in my life feel out of control, like I'm walking in the dark? Do I feel alone or am I aware of God's presence with me?
Have I had trustworthy people in my life in the past? How have these relationships influenced my ability to trust God?
Power Verses:
2 Samuel 7:28, "O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant." (NIV)
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Psalm 13:5, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 1:43 (NIV)
Illuminating a small circle just in front of our feet, the flashlight provided safety and direction for only our next step as Rose and I took our pre-sunrise walk. Anxiety eventually gave way to comfort as we discussed the day ahead. We knew the light would lead us in the right direction. We just had to take the next step...
Taking the next step is something Jesus recommended a very long time ago. "Come and you will see." "Follow me." These were the words Jesus spoke to the disciples as He called them. He didn't sit them down and reveal what the next three years would hold. He knew they would be overwhelmed; possibly even turn around. He chose to keep it simple. "Follow me" was all He said. Take the next step...
As a teen, I wanted to know my future. Will all my dreams come true? What college will I attend? Will I work in a church; marry a pastor? Will I live in Iowa near my family? Jesus knew the answers to those questions all along. I didn't go to college. I don't work in a church, nor did I marry a pastor. He knew. In wisdom, He chose to reveal only enough light for me to take the next step.
Sometimes, I catch myself wishing again that I could see my future. I get wrapped up in fear or worry. Career worries: Will I still have this job in five or ten years? Mom worries: Will my children marry spouses passionate about Jesus? Marriage worries: Will my husband and I enjoy a long retirement together? I can spin around issues that really don't have anything to do with this day, with my next step.
Jesus knows. He knows which answers are "yes" and which ones are "no." He knows when and where to reveal to me my next step. My part is simply to take the next step in obedience.
When I was younger, I did not understand those times when He said "no" were stepping stones to His amazing "yes." I learned in the dark that when I step forward in trust and obedience, blessing is down the path. I also had to learn that even those pathways that held pain where part of the process. They were stepping stones in my journey of choosing obedience over worry, fear and control.
Now, when fear and doubt surface in the dark I silence the "what ifs." I remember Jesus' words, "Follow me," and get back on the path that is flickering just ahead-and simply take the next step…a step of trust. I ask Him what I need to do for just today. I walk away from worry by expressing my concerns to Jesus and trust His ability to take care of each and every step.
Dear Lord, the dark can be frightening. Jesus, sometimes my ability to trust seems so much smaller than the step I need to take. Help me to build a history with You. A history of seeing You will help me trust You over and over and over again. I want that. I put my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lynn's blog to enter to win a copy of her CD “He is that Into You” and read one of her favorite God stories!
Divine Prayers for Desperate Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
________________________________________
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you! ________________________________________
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you! ________________________________________
Application Steps:
Purchase a spiral notebook and write on the front "My History with God." Document areas in your life where unrest lies. Leave space under each entry for room to record God's care for you in these areas. One day, this will be your testimony to pass on!
Life for teens can be confusing. Many choices come their way, yet often there is not enough light in their lives to guide them to the right decision. Would you consider investing in the life of a teen through mentoring? Lynn is sharing with teens today the benefits of being mentored at www.RadRevolution.org. Join in the conversation!
Reflections:
What areas in my life feel out of control, like I'm walking in the dark? Do I feel alone or am I aware of God's presence with me?
Have I had trustworthy people in my life in the past? How have these relationships influenced my ability to trust God?
Power Verses:
2 Samuel 7:28, "O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant." (NIV)
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Psalm 13:5, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, Confidence, God's Perspective, Identity in Christ, Overcoming, Overcoming Fear, Patience, Perseverance, Spiritual Growth, Time with God, Trusting God, Waiting On God, Walking in Faith
10 Comments:
Wow! Love it! Thank you for the words of encouragement and Glory to God that He calls us to "Follow Him."
I like this idea of just "one step at a time." God always does amazing things when I trust him in areas that I can't see! Thank you! www.livewithflair.blogspot.com
Thank you for today's devotional. I know in my heart that all this is true but for some reason I'm afraid all the time. I'm sometimes paralyzed completely. Please pray for me. My inability to take that next step is keeping me in chains.
thanks
Debbie
I really like reading these devotions and want to subscribe through my igoogle reader. It's what I check every morning. however, your blog says, "not found". I haven't had this trouble with other blogs from google when I type in the URL. Do you know how your blog might be made visible on an igoogle page?
Really love ur writings. It has been my source of encouragement walking through difficult times. Today, when I'm so confused and worried and kept on asking why and what if, God use this blog to re-confirm his Word for me. Just follow eventhough I can't see the whole thing. Thanks a lot for being a blessing. :)
Rosalin
Rosalin
I can't tell you how many times I have pulled up your devotions and the one I have needed to hear has popped up in front of me. I really needed to hear this message today. Thank you for your encouragement.
When I was younger, I did not understand those times when He said "no" were stepping stones to His amazing "yes." I learned in the dark that when I step forward in trust and obedience, blessing is down the path.
These words were real nuggets today, thank you!
We do get overwhelmed when we see the big picture. This post brought to mind the last wildlands fire. We could see puffs of smoke, on a seemingly steep slope, and dreaded the hike to attend to it. If, instead, we focused on the one step at a time to get there, the trip would have seemed less daunting. Looking at the big picture, you imagine all sorts of "hidden" obstacles, When you proceed on step at a time, you are able to deal with the obstacles that are really there. How good is God's grace. Now if I can only keep this perspective By the way, we didn't have to hike-we were "saved" by the the drop buckets of a helicopter.
Thank you so much for your "word in due season". I actually had a dream that was one from God about 2months ago in which I kept saying "I can't see, I can't see." There has been an area in my life that I have needed to make a life-altering decision and feel that your devotion touched on what God wants me to understand about this. Thanks too for your application/ reflections/ scripture sections as these have also illuminated to me more of what God wants me to know about this.
this is my first time reading the devotions i would like to say i have been saved for 4 years and all i have ever known is false women in my family and through friends all my life i am 33 and still have no true friends i have been decieved and stabbed in the back every time now i dont trust women to be friends please pray for me my heart is sooooo broken i cant even talk to anyone at chuch about this cause the two people who are in my life thay still treat me so badly are my mother and sister and they go there to i have so much to say and no one to say it to.
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