Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

What do you do when God gives you an assignment?

Do you jump at the chance to be obedient? Do you evaluate the circumstance? Do you weigh the good and the bad? Do you ‘pray’ about it … but don’t really pray about it? Do you seek counsel from others? Do you go to Scripture to find out if what you ‘think’ you heard aligns with the Word? Or …….

Do you alter what you were told to do so that you can have your cake and eat it too?

See, the last is what tends to hem us all up. We get the message, then we pray on it … right then, then probably forget about it when a genie does not appear with the rainbow and glitter answer. We open our Bibles with the intent to align it with God’s word but get distracted. We definitely weigh the good and the bad … not because of the victory that awaits, but what it will do TO us. But most of all, and unfortunately, it is quite true … we figure out a way to do what He said but limit the uncofortableness of the task. That is the ugly truth. 9 times out of 10 (my estimation) we hear, we test, we adjust, we deliver the new plan. Not all God’s plan, but a mix of what WE think will work.

I am guilty of this very thing—more times than I care to remember.

The Holy Spirit laid on my heart to hold a contest … over a month ago. Yes, over a month ago. Just last night I started it. In that last month, I could use the events, the hospital stay and a plethora of other excuses; however, the bottom line is that I was dragging my feet. I was trying to sit on the fence about the ‘how’ instead of listening to His guidance. Last night, while mowing, I heard Him loud and clear. Last night I finally obeyed. To His plan, not mine, not a mix … His Plan.

Many times we think we can do a portion of what He is asking us to do and it will count. That is the enemy using logic against us. “You did the ‘important part’; you talked to them. That is what He told you to do, right?” When in fact all you did was give them the morning greeting as you do every day. Nothing more. You did not listen or heed His request, because you could not be bothered by this person who has a reputation, or an odor, or dresses differently … you simply made your morning greeting a little more palatable.

What are you truly afraid of when He asks you to commit to His plan? Failure? Resentment? Disappointment? Rejection? You do realize that these are all from the enemy, right? Traps for you to stay hidden in, buried in, covered over in … locked in. As long as you allow these things to lead you, the enemy has you right where he wants you … on his side.

Now, some would argue that since you haven’t chosen either side, then you are safe. That is absolutely FALSE. Not choosing is choosing. But not choosing to follow the Holy Spirit, you ARE choosing to follow the enemy.

Today I would like you, I would encourage you strongly, to go to Him in meaningful prayer and ask Him to come upon you and help you with that task that He has placed on your heart that you are scared of. Surrender your apprehensions and fears to Him and take the first step to obedience. When you do, there is a peace from pleasing the Father of Life that surpasses all the anxiety that the enemy throws at you. This I have seen. This I have experienced as well.

Be blessed.

** “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24

“Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1:8

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:15-16