Obedience – the Pathway to Joy

When I began my walk with Christ we would meet in the early morning over coffee. With pen and paper in hand and His Word opened in prayer, we would begin our conversations. Our quiet time in prayer was my favorite time of the day. Over the years our conversations and prayers have filled numerous spiral notebooks, but it’s my letters to my beloved Father I have treasured most. I have come to fully trust in His word which has been life changing.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11(NIV)

As a new believer I was told that the Bible was God’s love letter to me. My writing became my love letter to him.

In 2012 during one of our morning conversations, I heard clearly, “Julie you bring your pen and paper and I will bring the audience.” That moment I froze in my chair and replied, “Me! Write for other people! I wouldn’t know what to write!” God answered, “We have a story to tell.” Time passed and I couldn’t let go of this call on my life. Believe me, I tried.

For years I have continued to write and wrestle with God’s message. Am I to write about my addicted past and my journey to Christ? Am I to share my story, my love letters? Who will be the audience, Father? Little did I know the phone would ring and Karen would ask me to be a guest writer for the blog at Hidden Heart Ministry. God had been confirming to me that the voice I’d been hearing was His. He had opened a door and for now our wrestling match was over

As I accepted Karen’s request and began by sharing my Father’s Day Letter, I realized that in remaining passionate in prayer and obedient to God’s call, I had found joy. I was ending up exactly where God wants me – writing for Hidden Heart. This whole experience has fully shown me the Father’s love and faithfulness.

“The ultimate purpose of obedience is joy, the fulfillment of knowing the God you were built to love.” Tim Keller, “The Songs of Jesus”

It is so clear that our stories are really His stories. He moves in our lives to bring about what He wants to accomplish – for His Glory!

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph. 2:10 (NLT)

We were created, God’s masterpiece, for a relationship with our heavenly Father. Are you expectant that the Father will be speaking to you in a personal, intimate way through His Word? What will be your response?

Julie