As I’ve been processing this past season of my life, I’ve realized that there are a few fundamental principles that have guided it. These principles lay the foundation for many of the stories I will tell in this space. So that you may understand the fullness of this season, I’m going to list these principles and expound on them for you here. 
God speaks to us in real, undeniable ways. Whether it’s a message as ‘soft’ as a scripture that speaks exactly what you’re seeking that day, or a message as clear and strong as a prophetic dream or revelation, God speaks. Not only does He speak to us, but He guides us. Some say “How do we know it’s Him?” My response to that is this: “How well do you know Him?” Obviously, being human we cannot know His fullness and will never comprehend Him fully, but the question remains, How well do you know Him? If you spend a multitude of time with Him, you learn beyond a shadow of a doubt what His voice sounds like. And when we have heard Him speak into the very fiber of our beings, it stirs something inside that releases an unquenchable thirst for more of Him. When this thirst is realized, He begins to fill that void with more and more and more of Him, it’s truly like falling in love every day. That’s honestly the best way I can describe my experience with the Lord. He’s the first one I say good morning to and the last one I say goodnight to. I talk to Him all day every day about anything and everything. This is the type of intimacy I have committed myself to, and because I know Him, I know what His voice sounds like. I often hear people wanting a fresh word or a comforting ‘feeling’ from the Lord, yet somehow fail to make time to get to know Him. There is no judgement in my heart for that, because I have definitely been there before. One would not expect to have a ‘good’ relationship with a person that they speak to rarely; one would not expect to have deep intimacy with someone you make no time for. If you want to be close to the Father, make time in your life for personal time with Him. He will always show up; He’s waiting for you to show up. Make time to talk to Him and to listen to Him. Listen to worship music and read your Bible! Remember that He’s in a constant pursuit of your heart; He’s jealous for you. Let Him have you!

When God speaks, we must move. When we know what our Father’s voice sounds like, we can recognize when He talks to us. When He does, we must take to heart what He says, even if it’s not always what we want to hear. Where He leads us, we must follow; when He instructs us, we must obey. He holds the plan for our lives, and we must constantly and consistently defer to that plan. If we hold onto ourselves, we cannot ultimately follow the fullness of His plan for our lives. Trust is hard, I totally get that. However, if we trust a God with our eternal life, than we have no justification for not trusting Him with our earthly lives. If we trust Him with forever, than we must trust Him with this blip on the radar that is earthly life. Now mistrust is one thing, but lukewarm Christianity is another. If you want to follow God when it’s convenient, but aren’t ready to die to yourself, than that’s a different issue than trust. It’s better to be cold than lukewarm. Don’t claim to follow Jesus because it’s the ‘right thing to do’ and than fail to actually follow where He leads. The souls of those around you who are watching you are too important for your to live a lukewarm life. If this sounds like you, know that there is fullness of life waiting when you fully defer to Him. We must follow Jesus where He leads us. It’s not optional. Does that sound a bit radical? Well Jesus was radical, His ministry was radical, so it’s safe to assume that the ministry He has for you will have at least a dose of radical too. 

When we seek His face and follow His lead, amazing things begin to happen. The Christian life is meant to be full of life, joy, passion, miracles, heart changes, ministry, all all around great things! When we are consistently committed to living into the fullness of Him, the mundane fades away. When all we seek is His face, everything is full of life. Hard times come, yes, but when He is our only, there is joy in the sorrow and beauty from ashes. Paul is a prime example of how one can be captivated by the mercy and beauty of a life with Jesus while also experiencing extreme hardship. God’s love and mercy is bigger and more powerful than anything that this world can throw our way. The Christian life is meant to be full to the brim with ministry. Full of divine appointments, healed hearts and bodies, new life. When we let Him be in charge, amazing things happen. These are the types of stories I will be documenting here in the coming weeks. May you be encouraged and inspired. May the name of Jesus be lifted high!