Hello Beautiful!!

Happy New Year!!!

 

I love new years because it is all about new beginnings! Who doesn’t love opening a new chapter to a book, there is something so exciting about it.  Especially a really good book!

 

One thing I noticed, is that I had a couple of new years resolutions that keep repeating themselves the past few years.  I asked God why?  Why am I having difficulty moving forward with these resolutions?

 

And my loving Father responded to me, in such a beautiful way.  He showed me that I couldn’t move forward with these resolutions until I let go of the things that held me back from it.  See God knows our hearts, he knows if there is even a little tidbit of something that is not from him in our heart, he knows our hearts are not in the condition to receive a new thing. He showed me through a message about this scripture of why it was difficult for me to move forward on these resolutions.  He posed to me a new question “Do you love the life I am calling you to more than the life I am calling you from?”

 

John 21:15-17

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

 

Simon was a fisherman, it’s all he knew. He was a fish guru! He knew everything about the topic and he mastered his technique well. Simon always knew himself and continues to identify himself as being a fisherman.

In this scripture, He seemed annoyed by the third time Jesus asked him if he loved him. I get Simon, I too would feel like Jesus doubted I loved him. I think the reason I can so relate to Simon, is because I am Simon. 

Jesus isn’t doubting that in Simon’s mind that he loved him. Jesus was telling Simon, do you love the life I am calling you to more than the life I am calling you from? (Erwin McManus)

I have spent so much time mastering an industry in my career, I have been promoted for my knowledge and have been asked to teach and speak on the topic on multiple occasions by fellow colleagues and institutions. I have created innovative systems and loved being sought after as being the expert. 

Now God is asking me to leave it behind. Not because he is mean, he is asking me to leave it behind because he knows deep down inside I was never truly happy working in that industry. He knew I was not passionate about that industry. He knows that there is a different industry that lights up my face when I am in it or around it. He is pushing me because he loves me and wants me to love more where I am going then the life he is calling me from. 

I have wasted so much time tetter-tottering back and forth between my old life and my new life. So much to the point that it was driving me crazy. Until God spoke so clearly and I trusted him by taking action before I knew the outcome. 

About six months ago I sold everything I owned, my clothes, my car and moved out of my city apartment to go live at home with my parents in the suburbs. Not knowing what would be next. I initially went into a depression because I couldn’t let go of my past. My title, me being known as the expert, my status, my salary, and my social scene. I felt like a complete failure because I was looking back and Jesus keeps asking me every day do you love the life I am calling you to more than the life I am calling you from?

After some major levels of letting go, I am now starting to see bits and pieces of what God is doing.  He is showing me that to live a life of big dreams, it will take great risks. 

He is showing me that inner beauty is the key to my success. He showed me that knowing more and more of who I was created to be every day, will lead me to the life he is calling me too. Jesus went where the truth took him. 

He also knew I could have never seen this perspective if I was still in my old environment. And every day still he asks me…….

“Do you love the life I am calling you to more than the life I am calling you from?”

What areas of your life may Jesus be calling you from? Do you love him enough to leave it behind and allow him to show you the life he has for you?

Leave a comment, I would love to hear where God is calling you.  Remember your story matters and it may be just what another woman needs to hear in this very moment.

Love in abundance,

Jamie