Understanding

I titled this understanding because for me, it's been a time of understanding. God is showing me how much he wants all of my heart, all of my love, all my mind, all of who I am...He wants as His.

At the beginning of the week he was telling me that one thing that he wants from me is to not depend on other people's words so much. My love language is words of affirmation, which means that i LOVE LOVE LOVE when people tell me what I mean to them and how great they think I am. It may sound vain, but it's not meant like that in any way, it's an encouragement, an affirmation in words. Tonight God hit me with the reality of what it looks like. He showed me that I tend to put others words first, before his. He wants the first spot. He wants to be my number one word encourager. The only one that truly matters is what he says to me about me.
I was writhing in pain emotionally, balling on the my knees before him after I realized that all he wants, is to be my number one word encourager. That everyone else might give me praise, but first and foremost, he wants His to be heard.
Lately, I've been feeling that no one is truly excited for me to go and do what God has called me to do. It's not just an opportunity, it's what God has told me that I need to do. Without question. And sometimes I doubt myself after hearing how much I'm needed at a particularly place. In Luke 5:5, Peter says, "...Because you said so..." In the context he's saying that simply because Jesus said to let down his nets he would. Even though to everyone else, it was pointless to do so. He could be mocked and ridiculed for what he did, because to the world it doesn't make sense why he would let down his nets after he just pulled them in...EMPTY. And yet, he does it because Jesus told him to. That was the only reason.
And really, what more reason do we need?
My goal now is to listen to his words first and base everything I do off of his words. Listening to other opinions is good, because of the perspective, but they should never go before what God has told you to do. Ever.
Live in that truth. I challenge you to do that. Whether it's big or small. Seek Jesus first, and when he talks, listen. Then obey.

Because you say so...

So I've been reading Luke for my personal devotion time. I ran across Luke 5...I remember talking about it a while ago when i was at a Bible study for my church, but hadn't really read it, i went cause Anthony and I were making this video for announcements. Anyways, one of the verses that stuck out to me was Luke 5:5 and it says...
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

Can you imagine doing something regardless of fears and doubts and doing it simply because God said so?!
I can't wait to just do this! I've started already and boy is it freeing! I love the fact that we can just rely and trust in God for everything. There is no reason to be afraid and doubt what will happen because I know my God is in control of everything and he has my best interest in mind! it's INCREDIBLE! go GOD!!!

I challenge you to do things without doubt and fear and do it "because he said so" :)