Standing on a Cliffside

This photo was posted on instagram by { brenna_marriie } yesterday. I think this picture is really powerful. For me personally, it evokes a lot of thoughts. So many thoughts that I gave it it's own blog post. This picture and my other favorite instagrams can be found here.

Two songs came to mind while writing this post, they are pretty relevant to my life currently. Both are by the band All Sons and Daughters. If you want to check them out, here they are, Called Me Higher and Oh How I Need You.

I see profound connections between this picture and my life. I feel like that is me, standing over a cliffside. In my life right now, God is calling me to scary things. Scary to me, at least. I had made plans, prayed over them, sought advice over them, and felt the Lord pushing me in one direction, then suddenly the door was shut. (Prov. 16:9)  I felt like I was looking at a doorway to freedom and security. I was anticipating a sigh of relief once my plan was officially set in place. When the door was shut, I was in the midst of uncertainty. All I could think of was the worst case scenarios that might lay ahead of me.

But I know that God is drawing me to himself. He wants me to know him more fully and to be more sure of his provision for me than I am now. It feels as if he is waiting for me at the bottom of this cliff. He is calling me to jump and trust in his ability to give me everything I need. I can wimp out and stay where I am, and never receive the good things God has for me. I can jump and fall constantly in fear, always doubting his provision, and not recieve all that I could have because I lost so much in the journey. Lastly, I can jump and trust that He will give me the grace I need to trust him and redeem my time rather than living in selfishness, anxiousness, and pride. (Phil. 4:6-7)

I am committed to go where the Lord leads me, and with his grace at work in me, I will do so with confidence in his plan, with love for others, with a servants attitude, and with wisdom. I don't say this to imply that this is even the slightest bit easy for me. It is so hard and I will fail at times, but in his strength alone I know that he will supply those things for me. (Ps. 16:2) (John 15:7) May he receive all the glory! (Ps. 115:1)

• "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." -Proverbs 16:9
• "Do not be anxius about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
• "I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you have no good thing.'" -Psalm 16:2
• "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." -John 15:7
• "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." -Psalm 115:1