To anyone who has followed this series about my journey through life and the ups and downs of Finding My True Path you know that it has been a while since my last post. I could blame it on the busyness of the Holidays, Family commitments and even a heavy Blog schedule yet to be completely honest the biggest reason has been fear. When I wrote the closing paragraph for “I Will Never Leave You” I knew what was coming, the only logical progression in my story: “He Called Me” is a part of my life that was not only influential to the woman I am today but is still a piece of me that I am learning to understand and embrace.
Letting Go
As I went forward in my life and found who I was as a mother I also began to find my own identity as a woman of faith. I was raised ‘at the altar’ and with that came a great feeling of dedication and at times obligation to be a part of the church and what it represented. Yet I also learned how to present that without truly living it. I knew that needed to end. I had reached a place in my life where I didn’t want to where a mask of Christianity anymore. I wanted my life to be true. I wanted to find my true path.
To do this I began to pray more, read more and study more. I sought after God and His design for me. No longer did I rely solely on the blueprint my Grandmother had set for me since my childhood. It was a what I needed then, it helped guide me through many trials and struggles yet I still needed to find my own way. I needed to hear His voice for myself and not simply through her.
In my seeking came sacrifices. I had to change my habits and even lose people I thought were friends. It is funny at times how the ones who could stand by you in your mess can’t stand seeing you step out of it. It is the people like that who were placed in your life as lessons not teachers. So I had to realize that I needed to take my lesson and move on. I won’t say it was always easy because those who deny you the truth of your circumstances and are willing to support you even in your wrong are the people we usually like. It is easier to stay where you are when there is no one pushing you to go farther.
Hearing His Voice
I’ve shared how my Grandmother always felt that there was a ‘call‘ upon my life. Her belief that I had a destiny in God that would take me beyond the pew and into a leadership position. I always heard this but accepting it never truly came. I saw it as her vision, her prayer. She expected me to go to Him simply for that purpose which I did for a long time. The thing was I did it with no intent of developing a relationship. It was only to please her.
In any relationship there needs to be a time where you simply listen to the other person. Not for gain or achieving a purpose but simply to hear what they have to say to you. I was never there for God. He was always there for me. Now don’t misunderstand, I know I can never repay or even deserve the blessings that God gives to me. This will always be an uneven exchange yet to give my heart and my ears to His words is something that I can do. I had to learn how to do. Instead of listing my wants I would ask His wants of me. Rather than declare all of my decisions and plans I would ask where He wanted to lead me.
He Called Me
In the bible there is a passage which tells us the experience of a young Samuel who was studying under the great Prophet Eli and continuously heard the voice of God calling him. At first he thought it was his teacher, yet when he went to Eli he was told that he had not been called. It wasn’t until the third time that Eli realized that it was God Himself calling Samuel and that the young child needed to accept the call and listen to the message that God wanted to give him.
1 Samuel 3:4-10 (NKJV)
4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”
5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.
6 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!”
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
It wasn’t long after I started seeking my path in God that I began to hear His voice for myself. In the beginning I was nervous that I may simply be hearing the echoes of my Grandmother’s voice and her desires for me. I would go to her for guidance instead of directly to God. Then I realized I was not hearing a call through her but it was God calling to me directly. First I heard it in comfort letting me know that my past did not determine my future. That His plans for me were enough to make my past into my future testimony.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
I then heard His voice offering me assurance that no matter what faults, flaws or short comings I felt I may have He was enough to help me endure and conquer them. Not all of my shortcomings were to be released because it was through them that I would find my strength and my ability to share them with others. To speak, testify and witness in spite of and use my story to help others in similar situations to see that with God there are no boundaries or limits to what He can use you for.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. ”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
As with Samuel, once he heard the call and recognized it’s true source he was then required to acknowledge, listen and react to it’s instructions. I was no difference. Once I acknowledged that I was hearing God’s voice for myself it was time to listen and react to what He was saying.
Continue this journey with me to
Finding My True Path with the next part of this series…
“Walking My Path”
Have you read the rest of my story? Read them here: Finding My True Path…{a series}
“I Will Never Leave You”
- The ‘Dirt’ on Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar - August 6, 2021
- I Never Went To Prom – Will A Fashion Show Do? - May 1, 2021
- Cape Fear Regional Theatre – Best In The House - May 1, 2021
18 thoughts on “Finding My True Path…”He Called Me””
I love the line where you say some people in our lives are lessons, not teachers. We do have to hear His voice for ourselves. I'm not a huge fan of the church but am a firm believer in God. But am currently struggling with how to lead my daughters to their own beliefs and hopeful relationship with God.
My recent post Trying to Teach Myself some Patience
Thank you. It took me a long time to learn that. The church as a building can be and even an organization at times can be challenging-after all it is made up of humans trying to find their ways just like us. Still I feel if we focus on hearing with our own hearts for ourselves like you said that will lead us to where we are meant to b in God. I feel the best way to lead your daughters will be by waking your own path. The example of a parent in actions or words is a very powerful thing.
Your journey is very inspiring! The road to ourselves is always the most interesting and most important.
Thank you for a wonderful post!
Maria
My recent post 4 minute Snow Peas (Easy Vegan)
Thank you. It truly has been a learning experience. Thank you for coming by.
I understand this too. I grew up in the church and I could "do church" without actually living a for Christ. I began seeking the Lord on my own, no longer riding on the hem of my mom and grandmother. I have grown so much in God and I am so thankful that I got to know Him personally 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story!
My recent post When God Says No…..
Sometime knowing how to \’do church\’ can be very dangerous. I am so grateful that my heart\’s desire was to truly serve and I stopped doing it and began living it. Thank you so much for coming by.
Listen and pray hard so that we can see our real purpose in life.
Coming from Essential Fridays! Come-by my blog and say HI!
My recent post Finding A Cure and Raising Awareness for Epilepsy
Amen. Thanks so much for coming by 😀
This is a great witness, Tiffany. I'll bet there are lots of people who are really moved by your testimony. Thank you for sharing it.
My recent post #AskAwayFriday with Jodi from The Noise of Boys
Thank You, Rabia. When I write I always do it with the hope this it reaches, touches and encourages someone.
Tiffany I loved this post and I appreciate you sharing your journey with God. Right now I am on a similar journey with God and I can tell you, it is such an overwhelming feeling of joy when you can hear God's voice leading you. It's that feeling of knowing that you are in His will because you have a relationship with Him, and all you are seeking is to follow his call for your life. I can see you are in a good place with your relationship with God because you are earnestly seeking Him, and the results of that are the blessings in your life. God's hand is on your life and He is using you to bless so many others, including me. ~Sherri
My recent post Liebster Award
Thanks so much Sherri! I am so glad that I moved beyond my hesitation on writing about this time in my life. It was helpful to me and I am glad that it has been able to reach others where they may be as well. Thank you so much for your encouragement.
Yes, exactly what I needed to hear in my life today! I strive everyday to build a stronger relationship with God, but sometimes my brain is so convoluted that I know I don't hear Him loud enough. I need to quiet my mind, and just listen more! I always enjoy your insight on spiritual matters! Very encouraging! 🙂
I\’m so glad there was something you needed within my story. This one was a bit more difficult to write or express but I\’m glad I did. Thanks for always being supportive.
I love your post. Sometimes it is much harder to just quiet yourself and listen to God and then actually put what you are called to do into action. I'm so happy you have heard your calling. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for sharing with us at The MaMade Blog Hop
My recent post MaMade Blog Hop #8
Being still at times can be the hardest thing at times yet it is key to hearing God\’s voice and instructions clearly. Thank you so much for being a wonderful host and coming by to visit.
Thanks for the encouraging post! I'm excited about reading "Train Up a Child" next. Happy Blog Hopping from the Monday Mommy gathering. 🙂
My recent post How To Choose the Best Toddler Bed
Thank you so much for coming by and being a part of The Mommy Monday gathering :). I hope you enjoy our next read… 😀