My Challenge

Can I truly say that if I were to lose all I had that I would actually gain it all? Can I truly say that I am willing to forfeit the comforts of my home? Can I honestly say that I am willing to leave it all behind if God asked me to? Am I willing to walk away from friends and family and go against all that is deemed "normal" to live a life more pleasing to God? Would I be willing to make a fool of myself in the eyes of those around me for his sake?
I cannot honestly answer- without a shadow of doubt in my mind- yes. Can you?
Each questions seems easy to answer, at first glance, but take the time to truly think about them. Would you? Could you? Choosing to turn your back on what you know as "normal" and "acceptable" takes more than just a simple pivot. It takes strength, courage, desire and dedication- strength to stick to what you feel you are called to do, courage to stand up for it, desire to maintain the passion, and dedication to continue walking toward the very thing that caused you to make the first move.
It's so easy, for me, to ignore what my Father is asking me to do. I have so many ideas for my life I would like to pursue that I often don't hear his soft whisper in my heart. I often miss his guidance in my life because I allow all the other things in my life to distract me. And how can they not? They are loud and in your face and rather demanding. Not my Father. He is, at times, subtle yet persistent. He does not vie for my full attention at all costs.
He patiently waits.
And waits...
And waits...
All the while, never ceasing his soft whispers. He tugs at my heart in a gentle manner that reminds me he is there.
Because I don't feel overly pressured to respond to him, I allow myself to busily attempt to "take care" of the other demands in my life, and I often justify those futile attempts by thinking I will have more time to dedicate toward what God wants. I am content with taking care of those because they, in the end, are predictable. I have a general idea of what I am getting myself into, what others will think, and what will be said when it's all done and over with. It's safe. It's normal, and it's acceptable. But none of them are fulfilling. They leave me with a sense of wanting more. No matter how much I do, no matter how much attention is paid to the bombarding demands, I am left with a feeling of what next with a hint of dread.
Why is it so hard to step out of the comfort bubble that has been cushioning me for longer than I can remember? Why am I so insistent on taking care of the demands that fly at me rather than sitting and listening to what my Father is whispering to me.
Silence.
Being still.
Deep down, my heart longs for it. My heart longs for silence, meaningful silence. My mind and body long for a still moment. I want to be more still, more silent. I want to listen to the whispers that are tugging at my heart. I want to discover just what exactly my Father has been trying to tell me. I want to find my silent, still moment, and I want to truly embrace it and cherish it with every day he graces me with.
I have made this my daily challenge, and though I know I will fail from time to time, I look forward to seeing what God wants to reveal to me.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among

 the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

"Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your 

beds, search your heart and be silent."