Would You Follow? I will walk by faith...

A while ago I read a wonderful book called A Steadfast Surrender by Nancy Moser. I LOVE this book. At the time, I was so blessed to be a part of a wonderful teaching position. God spoke to me as I read this book... "what will you do?" He asked me. You see, the story is about doing what God asks of you without knowing exactly what that might be. In the book, Claire Adams was a famous artist. Her work was known around the world. She had it all... a beautiful home, cars, respect, fame, money... and then at the height of her success, God spoke to her and said "Follow Me." He didn't shout it... he didn't threaten her... he didn't bribe her... he simply said in a quietness that only her soul could understand "My daughter, trust me... follow me" And so she did. She gave everything away except a few clothes that she took with her. And she headed out in her car, being lead by God to where he would tell her to stop and do what he would tell her to do... day by day... living as a tool for God's use... with nothing but him to lean on. I don't want to give any more of the story away, but not only did she learn about God's faithfulness and her service to the Lord, but people around her learned things about themselves and God as well.

I've gone through this same thing a couple of times in my life... and people thought I was totally wacked (or crazy)... with success and all the things the world has to offer, for someone to just up and leave... now that is unheard of. During my last teaching job, I heard this call from God to 'give it up & be still and wait upon me'. That year was absolutely the best teaching year I've ever had. The parents were so supportive, the staff were so encouraging, and God was blessing in so many ways... and then I heard Him say... "follow me". When I told the school that I would not be signing next year's contract, they tried everything they could to get me to reconsider... they offered me a $5.00/hour raise, a promotion in status, they even offered me a vehicle. Parents of younger children begged me to reconsider because they wanted their children in my class. And yet, I knew, I had to follow God. After that, God taught me so many things... and to be honest, there have been times when I've wished I hadn't left, but then I see how he saw the big picture, and I so often only see the corner.

And then a few years ago, I needed health care and didn't have insurance nor the money to get the care I needed. So, I prayed to God that he would supply this need. And one thing I've learned in life about how God answers prayers is this... sometimes He works in miraculous ways to provide what we need immediately, and then at other times we must wait, and yet at other times he wants to work through us to provide us with our needs. This was the case in my need for medical care. That's when God gave me Harvest Moon. Through designing simple dishcloths, God supplied my need and my medical care was taken care of.

Now, I've come to another crossroad... for months now, I've heard God say "I've got something else for you to do." And I've fought this... maybe because we were able to do things for others that we weren't able to do before... maybe because through Harvest Moon, I was able to touch others... maybe because I was afraid of letting people down... maybe because what would people think of me walking away from another success... but when it comes right down to it... maybe I didn't have enough faith. But Jesus said "if you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you will be able to say to a mountain 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you". So that's what I'm going to do... I'm going to use that small size faith the size of a mustard seed and I'm going to see what God has planned for me now. There will be other Children of God to pick up where I left off and I am excited about what He has for me. And I WILL WALK BY FAITH...

Walk By Faith (Jeremy Camp)
The words are mine today...
Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to RID my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, ya

well i will walk by faith
even when i cannot see
because this broken road
prepares your will for me

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
(Repeat)
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Hallelujah, hallelu

I will walk by faith, I will walk by faith,
I will walk by faith
I will walk by faith, I will walk by faith,
I will walk by faith
I will walk by faith, I will walk by faith,
I will walk by faith
I will walk by faith
I will walk,I will walk
Faith
I will walk, I will walk by faith