There are quite a few things you learn from trial, error, and obedience as you decide to dedicate (or rededicate) your life to the Lord and follow him.
First, let me lay the foundation of my back story for you to understand.
I was raised in the faith. I only knew Jesus.
The defining moment of my faith began at the intersection of my seven-year-old self turning eight—my uncle was pronounced brain dead.
My family started to prepare for the worst as my uncle’s time on life support came to an end. The Lord instructed two family members to pray the night before they said their goodbyes. My uncle sat up in bed, fully functioning and talking, as the astonished doctors stood in amazement at what God did.
A miracle happened!
Boom…
I started writing at age six.
I discovered the power of prayer at eight.
At eleven, I gave my life to Christ while wrestling with the tension of peer pressure and God’s presence until I fully surrendered at 21.
I remember the day I fully surrendered. I was standing in a bar at National Harbor as the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2017, after attending the Cowboys vs. Eagles football game while my boyfriend attended a holy-spirit-filled week-long conference.
And here I stood, depressed, overwhelmed, and uncomfortable because I KNEW this environment was never a place for me.
In the bar, my convictions said, “I, too, must sacrifice what keeps me separated from God’s love.”
What kept me separated was alcohol, cursing, and secular music.
At the time, I did not understand why these three things were vital for me to abandon.
Now, seven years later, I get it. As John 13:7 says, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
After came.
We must remove what perverts our view to see God and life through a purity lens and hear his voice clearly.
In a moment of surrender, I veered from pursuing a dream role as creative director for ESPN, choosing instead to walk uncharted territory by faith, one decision at a time.
I don’t think anyone can fully prepare us for what is ahead after we give God a ‘Yes.' However, we can share our experiences and testimonies to encourage you to stay the course.
I’m still walking.
I write, speak, and design for the one like me.
With each step, I aim to inspire women to grow in life, faith, and business.
When it comes to following Jesus, we must be decided, willing, and full of grace for ourselves and others. The journey can feel lonely. Here, we program our brains to do what Phillipans 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Pain will either be our prison or our superpowers—obedience and vulnerability are mine. What’s yours?
We can make excuses.
We can wallow in perceived despair or defeat.
Or, we can gather our top three (Peter, James, and John)—those who can see our humanity while trusting the God in you and the calling upon your life—and keep each other accountable, as iron sharpens iron.
When you follow Jesus, answer these:
Are you decided to follow Jesus regardless?
Are you willing to adapt, evolve, and pivot?
Are you taking your thoughts captive?
Is pain your prison or superpower? What’s your superpower?
Are you running your thoughts through Philippians 4:8?
Have you identified your top three? Do they know?
After you answer these, release everything to God. Let him orchestrate your steps as you trust him. Then, rest in his presence and do what he instructs.
Your accountability partner,
Janae Carlee