As I sat in the chair at my great-grandmothers' Southern Baptist church, this song rang out as an invitation from the pulpit. Tears came to my eyes as the realization of what following Jesus' call meant for my life crept into my mind.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Twenty-three times in the Bible Jesus talks about people "following him". Luke 9: 23 hangs on my bathroom mirror :"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Yet the lyrics of that simple hymn captured my heart in that moment.
You see, Jesus has called me to Colorado Springs. To live there. To work there. To serve there. To love there.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
For the first time since answering Jesus's call, fear begin to come over me. I had just spent a weekend filled with family in my hometown. The same hometown that is a 13 hour drive from Colorado Springs. What if something happens to my family and I can't get home in time? What if something happens and my parents need me to be close by? What if a family member dies and I don't get to say goodbye? What if, what if, what if.......?
My mind wandered, yet God's truth remained in my heart. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
I can't worry. I can only trust that God is working this for His good. There is a bigger picture here. I can't let fear overcome me and direct the outcome of my life. I choose to look to the cross before me. And fix my eyes upon Jesus. I choose the life that He has set before me.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
I am so thankful to be traveling on this journey with my husband. I am so thankful that he continues to put his faith in Jesus Christ, day after day. I had peace with this transition long before Joe did, but he continued to pray, and continued to chase after God until he, too, had peace. I am so thankful to be married to a man that recognizes the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. This move, this opportunity, is not from our own, but from Jesus.
We will be leaving our families, our friends, our comfortable life behind, but I can only imagine what God has set before us. The people that we will meet, the chances we will have to show the uncommon love of Jesus Christ to the common people in Colorado Springs.
Will you decide now, to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
Please continue to pray for Joe and I. We can feel your prayers covering us already, and we know that we are so blessed! We met with a real estate agent yesterday....(an agent that prayed over us afterward. God is definitely at work in our lives, and in Colorado Springs!!!) and we are happy to announce that we both have job interviews on Monday, March 31st!
Samantha
