My New Journey. Will You Join Me?

2013.  

A new year.

A fresh start.

Each new year can bring anticipation, excitement, and quite a few questions along the way.  I started 2012 with many questions about my health, my family, and the ministry God has called me to, to name a few.  Some questions have been answered and others are still in process.  

And, even though there are so many unknowns, I have made a new commitment.  I’m laying down all the excuses, fears, insecurities, and other things that paralyze me from moving forward.  I call these my “ifs.”  We all have them.  I have a lot of them.  Some of them I have held closely to me for far too long.  Others I’ve laid down only to turn around and pick them back up.

So, for 2013, I surrender.  And instead, I say, “I’m following.”  

***
Father, I thank you for the difficult seasons of life.  It is often in those hard places that I stop and seek You with all my heart.  2012 had many challenges.  I shed many tears.  I laid awake many dark nights.  But You were there.  You were always there.  And You blessed me.

Thank you for shining light on all the “ifs” I continually speak which stop me from moving forward with You.  “If only I was more outgoing...  if only I was like so-and-so... if only life wasn’t so busy...”  You’ve heard them all, Lord.  And I thank you for calling me to lay them down and instead say, “I’m following You.”  

Teach me how to do this...  how to daily surrender...  how to exchange my will for Yours.  How to be a woman after your own heart.  I want You to have all of me...  every piece...  And then I know I’ll stand amazed at what You do.

***
My Daughter,
I have much to show you and those who are traveling with you on this new journey.  I go before you.  I am making a way.  I will rise up beauty from ashes.  I will restore brokenness.  I will redeem even the darkest of sinners.  

Lift your countenance to Me.  Look up into the heavens and seek My eyes.  For I see you.  I see the women who are walking with you.  And I love each of you with a love deeper than any ocean and wider than any sea.  It is unconditional.  And, it will free you.  Receive My love each day...  fully and completely embrace it.  It is through My love that you will be able to more fully surrender and follow Me.  

I, too, am excited to walk with you.  Amazing things will come as my amazing plans unfold.
The One Who Loves with an Everlasting Love

***

Today this blog begins new course.  I will still share my messy life and how God redeems it all.  You will see my ups and downs.  But it will also be one part of a new calling God has placed on my heart.  

Over the past several months, I’ve realized how I have let one simple word overpower my life.  It is two simple letters.  Yet life altering.  “If.”  I’ve used this word to make excuses.  I’ve used this word to justify my choices.  I’ve used this word to dodge responsibility.  And now, through the grace and strength of God, I’m laying it down.  I’m laying down my excuses, fears, and insecurities and say instead “I’m Following!”  

And while I am not sure what twists and turns lie ahead.  I invite you to pause and think about your own “if” statements.  I invite you to lay them down and journey with me.  And, I pray God takes you to a deeper relationship with Him for 2013.  I pray you will follow harder, stronger, and faster.  I pray your faith will increase and that, at the end of 2013, you will be able to look back and see you declared more boldly with me, “I’m following!”

Surrendered,
Holly

P.S.  If you have not yet heard about the on-line study I’m teaching which will take us a little deeper on this journey, be sure to email me at hgillespie@fccn.org for details!