“Believing we can have it all, all the time is a myth and a lie and a joy-stealer. What I do believe is that we can have God’s best for us. A full life and a life to the full are two very different things. One is about grasping, the other is about receiving. One is about cramming in, the other is about room to breathe. One is about striving, the other is about trust. One is about control, the other letting go – sometimes for a moment and sometimes for always.”
When I read this, in Holley Gerth’s new book, Fierce Hearted, all I could think was, yes, yes, yes. She nailed it and was saying everything I was living. You see, God recently invited me into this beautiful place of, “Set it all down Kelly. Come. And follow me.”
Set down the social media stuff. Follow me.
Set down your plans. Follow me.
Set down your busy work. Follow me.
Set down your dreams. Be with me.
My answer was, “Yes, God!!!”
But you see, it’s easy to speak, but much more difficult to do. To leave behind the striving to be seen, to turn away from the control that comes with manhandling my schedule and to surrender my busyness that covers over the sense of lack I don’t want to see. . . well, it all sounds nice, but. . .
It leaves me feeling exposed. What if I am not doing what I should be? What if I miss out? What if I am left behind? What if I don’t get what I dream of? What if my time spent with God ends up (and I’d probably never vocalize this). . . wasted? What if I get disappointed?
Yet I am finding it is always in the letting go that God works his way in. It is always in the relinquishing that we get a broad-stroke view of what God is doing. It is always in carved-out space that we see God draw new stories right over the old versions of insecurity.
But we must give leeway to His ways. It’s the only way.
When we clear out everything so God can come, He does. With power, strength, dignity, honor and a pen that redraws all we ever wanted – and more. He also has an eraser. One that doesn’t feel like denial, remorse or pretending, but recovery.
“Our everything” is not found in “our doing,” but “His everything” is found in “our undoing” before Him.
Ahh…peace.
Come, Jesus. Restructure us. Let us let go of what we clench so tightly so we can find ourselves held tight in the power of your love. Amen. (and thank you Holley!)
Buy Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely on Amazon or wherever books are found.
Loading InLinkz ...
Yes, I thought the same thing! The laying it down to follow Him is so important, yet I struggle so much to do that. I jump on the hamster wheel to nowhere so readily, but He’s calling us to something so much better.
A great reminder Kelly. It seems God is sending the same message to me lately – focus on Him. Period. Have a blessed Christmas!!!
Hi Kelly. Holley’s book was one of my favorites of 2017–along with Fear Fighting, of course. Cannot wait to see what God does through you in 2018, and I’m here to cheer you on as you launch another book! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
[…] with Char, Kelly, Barbie, Anita, Terri, Lyli, Dawn, Deb, Laura, […]
I loved Holley’s book — it’s still sitting out in plain sight because I’m not quite ready to be done with it even though I read it months ago.
This is a great time to share this particular truth as we trust God to carry us through the busy-ness of this season.
I so agree. I love this, Kelly. This is powerful.
Kelly,
I love this line from your post:
“Set down your dreams. Be with me.”
I’m seeing this pattern of seasons where God asks me to lay down my dreams and just be with Him. Strange how our dream from God can end up being a distraction away from Him. Something I’ve been thinking on recently.
Holley’s book is close to being as wonderful as she is since there’s so much of her heart in this one 🙂
Praying you have a blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
We do need t just let God have His way, that will give us room to breathe.
We do need t just let God have His way, that will give us room to breathe.
Surrender and obedience are words that at times seem scary to us as Christians, Kelly. God asks us to trust Him wholeheartedly in everything. Making Him a priority is something I am making a focus for myself each day….everything else can wait, Thank you for these words of inspiration and encouragement. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas season and may God continue to bless you all in the New Year.
I have been wondering how in the world I can squeeze doing what God wants me to do into my busy schedule. Your blog has spoken clearly. I’ve got to let go of some things. Not necessarily bad things but things that are in the way of following God more nearly. Bless you Kelly for being God’s instrument today.
[…] for Moms, Simple Life of a Fire Wife, MaryAndering Creatively, Create with Joy, Timeless Mama, Purposeful Faith, Home Stories A to Z, Lou Lou Girls, April Harris, Trekking Thru, Jaime Wiebel, Meghan Weyerbacher, […]