However, I think God had a plan in my being out of sequence–I needed this reminder today, not yesterday.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, ” . . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29-31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
“It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him–risk your all.” –Oswald Chambers
Doodling Devotionals 
I need this reminder almost every day.
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Me too, but even more so today–I feel I should move forward with a business opportunity and woke up in the middle of the night freaking out, unable to see how I can do it. I’d appreciate some prayers. 🙂
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YES! I think there are many of us in this situation. AMEN to your prayers for wisdom and guidance. Hang in there.
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Great quote by O. Chambers. Also, did you compose the picture with this blog entry? Beautifully done. In regards to your post, what are your practical suggestions in implimenting, strategies?? Thanks.
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I started a fantastic, if I may say so myself, reply to this and then I got a text and it disappeared. Hummmmmm, wish I knew where. Back to my reply, yes, OC is full of wonderful insight and yes, I “compose” a doodle a day. I’m doodling through My Utmost For His Highest. This was doodle #252. I started last fall.
Now to the great question on strategy. While thinking on this as I walked the dog I absentmindedly jumped on a long curb to walk on. I walked a ways then I looked down and thought, “It’s not safe to walk a curb in flip flops, you could fall and skin a knee, or break your right arm and not be able to work/paint or conk your hear, or, or, or….” That’s when I remembered to clear my mind if being up on a curb, look up and far enough ahead of my next step to not see my feet and just walk like normal. It was only when I looked to see where my dog was or looked too far ahead or at my feet that I would start to wobble. That’s when it struck me that this was the practical application. Following after Jesus is like stepping on a curb of purpose. It means only taking the step just in front of you, trusting He’s the one who’s calling you to step forward. Stay focused only on Him and the call. Don’t expect to be at the end destination from the start or even know how you’re going to get there, just step out with blinders to the right or to the left–if you start to wobble, immediately refocus back on Jesus and the “call,” and regain balance.
To summarize, I need to stop trying to think of all the ways I could fail and it won’t work out and let God take care of making it work. The desire I have to take this next business step, (moving my studio to an outside venue) I believe is from God and has been nagging at me. Now that an opportunity to have it happen comes along I somehow think it’s all me and what if I’m unable to pay the rent, what if nobody will take a class when I offer them, what if . . .it becomes about my fears and insecurities instead of about following where God is leading. Honestly, the fear of success is almost as debilitating as the fear of failure, so I’m doomed either way. I guess though, I’d rather err on the side of God and His call and trust Him to open the next door if it is to happen. Then, if there is success, it’s all God, if its failure I’m still blessed because I just had an adventure with God–which means it was a success after all. (Sorry for being long winded, I have no idea if this helped. Blessings!)
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Beautifully said! I’m glad to find your site! Please keep us posted on your adventure also.
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I will. 😁😄
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P.S. I just started following you too. I love attitude and talking with authority about things that I have “no formal education in.” Ha ha. I like to think that our experiences are our education and those speak with much more volume to me, especially when it comes to our walk with God. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
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