Patiently Following

     Why is it so tough to be patient? I find myself struggling everyday with this characteristic. Everything in our society is so quick that we rarely have to wait on anything anymore. Whether it is food, Internet, or transportation, everything is convenient. This idea of never having to wait rolls over into our spiritual  life, sadly. We become impatient with waiting on a certain answer from God. We want a quick response to our prayer that was prayed five seconds ago. As Christians, we often get caught up in trying to find our "calling" or "direction" in life. "What is my purpose in life?" or "What is God's will for my life?" These are deep questions that usually are not just a quick response from God. Instead it is a daily shaping, sanctifying, and stimulating process that God has planned for each individual. This process includes but is not limited to reading His Word, praying, sharing the Gospel, fasting, serving, and having Christian fellowship. When we do these things, we are not just sitting around wasting days that God has blessed us with. This process will help us grow so that our ears will be more attentive to God's voice, instead of our own. Our hearts will stop chasing "our desires" and start seeking His desires. That is why is Psalms 37:4 say to "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart," because when you delight yourself in him, your desires become what God intended your desires to be. 

     Proverbs 20:21 says "An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end." Too often, we turn a situation or a person into an "answer from God." I am not taking any credit away from the miraculous powers of Christ, but we seem to grab things to fit them into our plans and end up not having that full blessing that God wanted to pour out on our life. When we wait patiently we will appreciate the rich and full blessing that God will eventually give to us.

     Stop wasting time sitting around and get out and make an impact in the Kingdom! That is God's ultimate will of our life. God is not trying to torture us, he is simply shaping us into the likeness of Him. Let go and let Him take control. 

Be patient. Follow Him.

Patiently Following,

Hannah Hollis

"Take my Life, I Lay it Down"

     I usually don't just write blogs about my own life, but I think it important and helpful to share with you guys what amazing ideas and passions God has laid on my heart. Let me start off by saying God will never leave or  forsake us. WE make a daily decision if we are going to pick up our cross and follow him or if we are going to live for our own selfish desires. His position as The King of kings will remain no matter how far away from God we think we are. It only takes one step to turn around and flee from sinful desires. Let our Abba Father pick you up in his arms and let HIM tell you who you are.
     I fully believe that in order for God to work to the up most in your life, you have to surrender ALL to Him. Surrendering all to Him is not a one time thing; it takes self-discipline. What I mean is this: you have to commit all your plans to God; stay in the Word everyday; and pray without ceasing. I can say that I have nothing holding me back from where God wants to take me and what He wants to do in my life. Saying this, I am overly excited about what God wants to do with me for His glory. Knowing that Christ is the only one the satisfies my heart gives me a peace like no other. In these past couple of months the Lord has been molding my heart to desire only things that give Him glory. He has turned my heart upside down for the lost in this world. I absolutely hate passing up an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. There is no other purpose in my life than to tell others about Jesus. I am patiently waiting for God to tell me specifically where He wants me.
     I just want to encourage anyone who is "waiting on the Lord" to answer a specific prayer, not just to sit around and do nothing. When we revolve our lives around one request it usually becomes more of a stress or worry which is a sin. Instead, do what God has called us to do and walk through the open doors God gives you to serve Him. When we are serving Him, He will speak to us. The reason is because when we draw near to God, He draws near to us; what a comforting feeling.
     We are called to be witnesses, not just church-goers, not just bible believers, not just money givers; WITNESSES. Christians, it is time to stop saying we are going to do this and that; let's actually GO. We should consider it joy if we face persecution if we are furthering the Kingdom for Jesus Christ.  It is an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ. It is an honor to serve the Most High King. It is an honor to be called a co-heir and conqueror with Christ!

Through these sufferings, you will receive blessings.

Love,
Hannah