Adrift

Have you ever felt God calling you to do something…then doubted? I do. All the time. I even wrote about it in the post Why Do You Doubt? I mention that I do this regularly and need reminders…today is case and point. Like a mother anxiously sending her child out into the world, I find myself falling back to my old ways as I release my second book: Adrift.

And God has met me again.

Like most people, I have a typical morning routine. Once I come down downstairs, I get breakfast ready. Then I go to my morning devotion and write down the verses for the day in my planner. Then I take those verses and have some quiet time with God…usually.

Not this morning.

This morning, before breakfast, I went to my computer. Then I got breakfast. Then I went right back to my computer, skipping the devotion.

Then the internet went out.

I was so frustrated, especially after resetting the router failed. Finally, I realized God was trying to get hold of me. So, I went to my devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

Today’s devotion was exactly what I needed.

“Bring me all your concerns, including your dreams.” – Sarah Young (Jesus Calling)

Side Note: If you’re not familiar with the devotional, it’s written as though Jesus were speaking directly to you, which I find quite powerful. Just wanted to make it clear Sarah isn’t suggesting I bring her all my concerns. Haha!

This message was exactly what I needed today and I almost missed it! Thank God He knew better and shut down the internet. Sometimes I go ahead without Him, so I’m grateful He reigned me in.

Through her devotional, Sarah (and God), reminded me that He wants me to come to Him for everything…and to trust Him. I may want my book to be successful so I can share His love and hope with the world AND continue to afford to write books rather than sink my family with my expensive hobby. But if I’m truly doing this for Him, I can’t leave Him out. And I need to trust that He cares for me and will take care of me.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:4-6

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” – Matthew 6:25

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

If my internet hadn’t gone out today, I don’t know where I’d be. Probably stressing myself out. And I probably wouldn’t have posted a blog today. I’m so grateful He got hold of me, shook me up a bit, and set me back down, headed in the right direction. Now I can enjoy Adrift’s birthday.

Ironically, that’s the heart of Adrift…finding the balance in our Christian journey. Not going ahead, falling behind, or leaving God out entirely. It’s about learning to walk with Him. Something I’m still learning.

What about you? How’s your walk with God? Are you giving Him time each day? Are you going ahead of Him? Are you leaving Him out? I highly recommend carving out time with God each day. Even when it seems there’s no time, it’s amazing how God seems to fit everything in when you make Him a priority.

A personal friend and colleague, Sharon Gamble, recently published a devotional, Sweet Selah Moments. It’s perfect for those who want to begin (or continue) setting aside time in their lives for God. Whatever you do, keep focusing on walking with Him.

You are loved,

J F Rogers

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