Who or What are you Following?

What is leading you? Maybe I should say, “Who is leading you?” Maybe you don’t realize you are being lead… maybe I should say, “What are you following? Who are you following? What or who are you letting shape your views, insights, world?”

I am a Christian. I would say that the “who” I follow answer is Jesus. That is my heart. I want to lead, love, and live a life that emulates Jesus. I want to follow Jesus. I want Him to lead me. Even with that being said and truly being my heart, I have found recently that that is not always the case. Due to some recent changes in life, God has really revealed to me that while my heart is for Him, I was also being influenced and led by others. Other people, the church, social media, the news, etc… There are so many “others” that help lead us and we don’t even realize it. My blinders have been torn off.

I never realized, until recently, how much I let my thoughts, actions, and decisions be based on what was good for people in general and for the church… Now, I know that doesn’t sound like bad decisions. And in general, this led to good outcomes for those involved, but just because it was good for all those involved, doesn’t mean it was God’s best for me and my family.

Somewhere in the last year and a half, my focus went from the mission God had for me.. I just started “doing” instead of following. I was following comfort verses seeking God’s direction and following. It was easier to stay with what I knew. So that is what I followed. Conformity. Being comfortable. This, conformity and being comfortable, is what so many of us end up following.

So why is this? I think its because it is what is known. It is EASY – even when we think its hard for a moment – we know it is so much easier than what God is calling us to. Staying on the path we know and have been on for so long is easy. The path is worn, we could do it with our eyes closed, and we start relying on and doing things within our own strength and abilities. This is a problem.

We are not called to walk a worn path that we can do with our eyes closed, know every turn, and can do within our own strength. We are called to step out onto an unknown path with Jesus guiding us. Its scary. What does the next turn bring? I don’t know. The unknown scares us – which is why so many of us choose to stay on our own path verses HIS path. I don’t want to do life within my comfort zone. I don’t want to do life within my own strength. That part – my strength – is what is scary to me. I know I have this crazy determination, wisdom, and perseverance in me crafted from my past… so I know, whatever God has for me will force me to fully rely on Him. But I would rather do that than to continue to struggle with the fact that I know I am not walking in what He is calling me to do.

Step out of your comfort zone – whatever that is… Know that you don’t have to – nor should you follow a trend, status, titles, jobs, etc.. – You don’t have to let these things lead you.  The only really direction and confirmation you need is from Jesus.  If He is calling you to step out and have faith – then He has it all planned out. You don’t have to – He does. You just have to trust. Let Jesus lead you more than anyone, anything, or any place. Take the step.

be Brave.

be Courageous.

be Confident.

Trust. Embrace. Go.