As you face a new year, can you confidently say you are living out God’s calling on your life? Or can you at least say you are moving toward living out the life God has designed for you?
Look around. Talk to other people. Read studies. Most people are stuck in a job or career they see as “drudgery,” a dating relationship that has them going nowhere, or a course of life that they are not enjoying. They are surviving, but not thriving. But this can be the year you begin to thrive…as you look at the calling — and the dream — God has placed on your life and you begin to live it out.
God created us to love Him and enjoy Him forever. That means He also created us to do what we enjoy doing. But so many people settle because it’s easier (for the moment), it’s more comfortable (they think) and it’s “safe” (although drudgery can be torturous, at times).
I am starting a 6-week blog series on “Living Out Your Calling” and this week I want to look at the first principle to keep in mind when it comes to living out your dream and thriving in your life.
Principle No. 1: God calls us to obey Him…and obedience leads to joy.
No matter what we want to do with our lives, if we are choosing to obey God and honor Him with our life then we are on the right track. I know many women who want to publish a book or start a business or do something they feel is extraordinary. But when the timing isn’t right, it’s often because God is waiting for us to prioritize our lives, starting with Him.
Are you obeying God’s greatest command which is to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37)? Are you trusting Him and seeking His will even when life isn’t turning out the way you want? When we follow Christ, we aren’t promised continual blue skies. Jesus did say that to follow Him involves denying ourselves and picking up a cross. At times that will mean suffering. And it will mean experiencing situations that cause us to depend on Him all the more. But there is a deep-seated joy that comes from the peace and satisfaction of knowing we are in God’s will.
David said in Psalm 16:11 “In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand there are pleasures forever. ” David knew that a life lived in close relationship with God, and therefore obedience to Him, produced joy.
Jesus said in John 15:7: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” He then clarified what it meant to “remain” in Him: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (verse 10). He then promises joy as a result: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (verse 11).
So, if you are honoring and obeying God in all that you do, you are in the best place for Him to begin unfolding for you your dream.
Ask God for a heart to obey Him more this year. Obedience to God always results in a life of joy.
Do you have a story in which obedience to God opened a door to your dream? I’d love for you to share it with me. And in the meantime, subscribe to my blog to get an email alert for next week’s Principle No 2: God calls us to glorify Him.
Oh, I love this series for the New Year, Cindi! I can attest to what you write here. For the past 9 months, God has been teaching me to reprioritize my life and become obedient in my mundane, daily routine. Although my dream is still on hold in many ways, I am taking baby steps toward it as I become more dependent on Him. Your blog posting increases my faith that even though it feels like nothing is happening, He is preparing me during the wait.
Keep prioritizing Him, Nicole. His timing is perfect. This could be the year that your dream takes off!
I have a Post-It note in front of me that says “Obedience —> Contentment”
For so many years, I thought obedience would limit me, fence me in. Only now am I discovering that it frees me from so many exhausting rabbit trails and provides for me the refuge & rest I need before taking the next step of my journey! Life is so much simpler…almost as if God knew what he was doing! 😉
Thank you, Cheri. I have learned a lot from your writings about slowing down, focusing on God, seizing the day. Keep writing what you’re learning and I’m anxious to see God propel you further into your dream. Readers, I recommend Cheri Gregory’s blog as a refreshing, insightful read: http://cherionethingivelearned.blogspot.com/
Hi,
I love this for the new year also!
I am also waiting on the Lord for my dream to come to fruition. I am praying for more of Him, seeking Him and waiting on Him. Asking for the grace to be more faithful (not doubting His timing or His will) and to be content with where I am now, but looking to the future to be used mightily for Him.
Blessings to you Cindi, you are such an inspiration and motivation for me!
May God bless and keep you in His care,
Carol
Thank you, Carol. My prayers are with you as you wait upon Him to bring His dream for you to fruition in your life.
This is such good timing for me, since I’ve been trying to wait patiently on the Lord. And praying Lord I ask for a heart to obey Him more this year and be guided and trust and not lean on my own understanding and in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my path’s straight! (Prov. 3:5-7). And honoring and obeying. So He will reveal the perfect calling for my life in this season, I keep surrendering it all to Him!! And it’s His timing, that’s alway’s perfect. Thank-you Cindi for the encouragement I needed. May you stay Blessed!!! <3 <3 <3 🙂
Thank you, Tina. My prayer is that you will receive affirmation from God regarding His specific calling in your life as you obey Him and seek to glorify Him in all that you do. Blessings to you, too.
What a great series, thank you Cindi! I keep focused on many verses, one of which is Prov. 3:5-7. I begin each day with Him in quiet and end each day that way as well…and I breathe prayerfully in-between. My daily goal is to be grateful in ALL circumstances as they are ALL a gift in some form 🙂
Thank you, Chery, for your comment and sharing your wisdom about beginning and ending each day with Him. I’m sure it keeps you focused and abiding in Him.