When I decided to start this blog, I chose the title "Following Hard" because the things that God was showing me were just that, hard. My life had taken a whole new turn, a different focus. One that was no longer on me. One that meant, no longer trying to prove myself to anyone. ‘Cause let’s be honest with ourselves, when we’re trying to prove ourselves, even in godly ways, we’re asking to be recognized. We’re asking for our names to be known. We’re asking for our own glory. But if we read God's Word, and allow his truth to bring truth to our hearts, we realize that He is supposed to get ALL the glory. Yes... all of it. Isaiah 48:11 says, “For my own sake, for my own sake I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another."
Why? Because He is God. If He isn't worthy of all the glory, then who is? I know I am certainly not worthy. Yes, I am a new creation, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Yes, I have gifts that God has placed inside of me. But who did ALL the work? He did. So He is worthy of ALL the praise.
It is a constant prayer, a constant surrender that takes place in my heart that says,"It's not about me Lord, help me to focus on You. Whatever way You can be glorified in my life all the more, let it be so. Take my weaknesses; let them bring all the more praise and glory to your name."
Whatever dreams you may have, even if you believe with everything wit in you that they are God given, lay them down before Him. Pray it again and again and again, "Not my will Lord, but Your will be done in my life. If it truly is God given, He will give it back. If it is not, as painful as it may be, He will give you a new purpose, a new mission that will bring glory to His name, it may be painful or hard at first, but I promise you that it will bring more fulfillment than living a life to bring glory to yourself. Or maybe you are like me, the purpose that I felt God had for my life was refined. It was very similar, but now, there is less of me, less glory for myself, more glory for Him. It is hard though. So many questions come up like, "How am I to do this? Is this safe? What about my family? How is this going to work?" --- Now I am not saying I know everything that is going to happen, not at all. But through this REALLY LETTING GO and surrendering, He is revealing Himself to me more and more, stirring up the passion and compassion. The rays of His light are shining forth in the unknown darkness of my heart. I love Him more. I love others more.
I praise God for this dawning of a new day, a beginning of a new season of my life. Now it is no longer "Following Hard", but "Remember to Surrender" each and every day.
