Other – different or distinct from the one first considered

Not the first choice, but the best choice.

Not my natural inclination, but where God’s Spirit directs me to go.

Going with God is walking in the way that lines up with the Lord’s precepts and not be swayed to go back to the typical, cultural norm.

This can only happen if I cease conforming to the world and begin being transformed in my thinking according to God’s Word.

What is the difference between conformity and transformation?

Conformity looks at the outer characteristics and follows that pattern in order to blend in. Think of a caterpillar strapping on a beautiful pair of paper Monarch wings. There may be a resemblance to a butterfly, but there is no hope of rising to the sky. Why? It is still a caterpillar with all the strengths and weaknesses that a caterpillar inherently possesses.

Transformation goes beyond the surface and institutes a change from the inside out. It is a mysterious process. The caterpillar that entered the chrysalis becomes the butterfly with alterations in its appearance and abilities. Authentic wings form in it by Creator God to lift it to new heights and take it to new places it only dreamed about before.

The world tries to convince me that fitting in is good. To follow the prevailing winds and set my sights on breezing through life feeling good about myself.

God’s Word calls me to come and die to myself in a cocoon of surrender. Through the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit He promises to make all things new.

His love transforms me from an earth-bound creature into a glorious masterpiece that transcends earthly limitations.

All for His praise and glory!
​
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
 
How about you? In what ways has God transformed your thinking since you began walking with Him?

​What happens to us when we get to know someone intimately? We begin to tune our senses to their presence. Our eyes search the room for their face. Our ears tune into their frequency to pick up their voice. We sidle up next to them just to feel the warmth of their body next to ours. The closer we are to a person the closer we want to be.

The same principles of closeness apply when we are going with God.

Seek the face of God. There you find His Grace.

Seek to hear His voice. In it you will know His heart.

Seek to draw close to Him. As you do, He will draw close to you.

Our relationship with God is one that grows and deepens over time.

It is not without difficulty, because we will always be contending for the Spirit as we rebuke our flesh and the desires it wants. Every step of the way, God is there giving us strength and power to overcome anything that would defeat us and keep us from Him. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the power that works within us.

So hear and take heart that God is speaking, calling, drawing us to Himself.

Maintain a sight line to the things that delight the Lord.

Quiet the noise in your own heart so you can hear Truth that will set you free.

Allow Him access to the places in your life YOU don’t even want to visit.
​His desire is for your good and your release.
 
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17(NASB)

I titled this series, “Going with God” because I see the primary focus of a Christian’s life is to please Him and listen for His shepherding voice.

Going is a succession of departures and arrivals. Beginnings and endings. When done according to God’s will we’ll reach our final destination to His unveiled Presence in Heaven. What joy!

The thing about this sojourn in the ways of God is that He doesn’t place us on a track, lock us on target, and coldly watch as we go the right way without our voluntary participation.

God’s utmost joy is that we desire Him the way He desires us.

The greatest commandment, as quoted by Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, comes from Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (NASB)

Without Christ doing His transforming and sanctifying work in us we function with a heart that is deceitful, a mind that cannot understand Truth, and a willful defiance that demands our own corrupt ways.

To have a heart after His in spite of the ongoing battle between our flesh and God’s Spirit needs to be our moment by moment goal. It isn’t a natural motivation for us to love God until the Holy Spirit empowers us to want to love God back.

O Lord, help us to do what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
​
How about you? How has God shown you the blessing that comes from leaning into Him?

The church I think of as my home church came along in my life when Mom abruptly stopped attending the “family” church. I couldn’t understand why, but we began on a church hopping circuit for who knows how long until she could find one that satisfied.

Visiting an array of denominational worship services was a curious experience for an 8 year old. On the way home Mom would ask what I thought about the service and Sunday School and I’d give my review: the service was too long, we had stale cookies in Sunday School, boring story, nobody talked to me except the teacher. 

One Sunday morning we visited Grace Bible Church. Sunday School was… different. My teacher really seemed to like what she was teaching and the kids she was teaching it to. Her smile put me at ease. AND, the kids were friendly. Cool!

This was home for me.

A place of grounding and growth.

A sanctuary of worship for my unsettled soul. Even at that young age I knew the difference between peace and strife. Give me peace any day!

However, the greatest gift I found in that red brick church was a call from God to come to Him and receive salvation through Jesus Christ at the age of 9.  I wish I could say that I turned into an angel and never gave my parents any grief from that point on, but that would be fibbing.

This little red-haired, freckle-faced kid now had a heart that was turned to the Lord. He began a good work in me then and continues to do it now, ‘til I draw my final breath.

How about you? Have you received God’s gracious gift of salvation?

All humankind needs to be freed from the bondage and ravages of sin. It is the simplest and hardest gift for us to receive. Our sinfulness requires a redeeming sacrifice to bring us into God’s favor. We cannot save ourselves, but Jesus has satisfied God’s requirements for anyone who would believe in Him.

I’m praying for you.
​
2 Corinthians 6:2 for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" (NASB)

I'll go where You want me to go dear Lord
Over mountain or plain or sea
I'll say what You want me to say dear Lord
I'll be what You want me to be
Carrie E. Rounsefell | Charles Edward Prior | Mary Brown             Public Domain
 
Nothing gave me a greater sense of anticipation than the annual Mission Festival Week at my home church when I was in grade school. Every night for seven days the church would be packed to hear the latest news from our missionaries on furlough.

The church basement wondrously transformed into a world-wide neighborhood of booths set to inform and educate us about each country where our missionaries were stationed. Each one had a souvenir you could take home to help you remember to pray for the people of that nation and the people who were there sharing the life-giving Gospel.

Like a moth to a flame I visited each and every missionary display with wonder and delight. Missionaries were those special Christians who sacrificed so much to go to the ends of the earth and preach the Gospel to the lost. Their testimonies we thrilling and challenging. The fellowship was sweet. And the music we sang still rings in my heart to this day.

This chorus from the hymn, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” was a favorite, sung year after year. The words are a pledge to be willing to respond to God any time and anywhere. Most times I sang that song just because I liked the way it sounded. Sometimes I sang it with high hopes that I would be faithful to God’s call.

One day I would find out why God is looking for those who are simply willing to trust Him and go.

How about you? Do you have fond memories of special church events? What are some ways the Lord has called to you?
​
Is 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"