Ever been here?
Life is pretty safe and sound. And then …. You decide it’s a bit too safe and if you’re honest, a wee bit boring.
In this week’s podcast, my stud of a husband (Mr. Bob) and I have a conversation about our journey of LETTING GO OF A LIFE OF CONTROL and embracing a life of ADVENTURE.
Bob and I are recovering control-aholics. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t try to shape the outcome of the unknowns with a bit of control. Some of us have a tighter grip than others, but across the board I would conclude that most of us unknowingly work diligently towards safe and predictable outcomes.
Bob had a dream one night about two-skunks chasing him. He was running and running and every time he looked back, there they were with their short little legs chasing him. He saw people just standing in crowds and not running or dodging the skunks. He was in shock that they didn’t care they were getting sprayed. When he woke up, he asked the Holy Spirit what those skunks represented. Immediately he heard, “safety” and “predictability.”
Hear him tell his story of coming out of this mindset and into living adventurous in this week’s podcast. (Episode 6)
Let’s really think about this. Is this genuinely what makes you feel FULLY ALIVE inside? Safety and predictability?
“What does feeling alive have to do with anything, Jenny? I’m just trying to survive and get through the day. I’m not aiming for purpose, passion, calling…. I’m just trying to identify as many chaotic pieces of my life and get them into a manageable state.”
Okay, I get it. I don’t like chaos either! But what if our life focus has become to control chaos and we’ve completely lost sight of what our life calling is? According to scripture, we are to LOVE IN and LOVE OUT as our focus. The way that God has specifically called you to love others, whether that is through the marketplace, through loving a teenager through the awkward years of life, loving a spouse through their stress, means that we’re going to have to take some risks. Some of those risks are emotional and some may even be financial. What I do know is that following Jesus isn’t a predictable and practical pathway.
Jesus calls us to a life lived out on the water where it’s not too safe, not very predictable, and quite honestly, doesn’t make any sense. He called Peter to GET OUT OF THE BOAT and walk out onto the water! This is an adventurous and unpredictable God we serve. He is constantly pressing us to trust him even more – not control more.
Bob and I went to a Hillsong Conference in L.A. several years ago and got messed up when Pastor Brian Houston preached a message on the lyrics of the song, “Oceans.” We sat at dinner that night, just the two of us, and agreed that God was calling us back out on the edge of the cliff, so to speak.
I remember the Holy Spirit whispering to my spirit, “You’re happiest when you’re living on the edge.” In that moment I realized that we had started out our life really excited about adventure and had zero to lose (we were broke and had no kids.) Then, as we became more “financially established” and had a few kids, we backed away from the edge of the adventure of trusting him in audacious things because we were seeking a counterfeit relief.
At that dinner I said, “I feel like God has another baby for us.” Bob’s eyes turned down to his plate and he was not very excited to hear this. You see, we had three kids, all out of diapers and out of the tantrum-messy-toddler-you-aren’t-getting-any-sleep-phase. This was going to be the stretch of a lifetime here.
In my new book, STILL, I share the story of LETTING GO of control and how that decision to live a life of ADVENTURE gave us access to a REST that we had no idea existed.
Check out these lyrics to the song “Oceans” and see what they might speak to you.
Adventure Awaits,
Jenny
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
PS. Will I see you at Dallas Drenched 24? It’s this weekend March 6-7 for a 24-hour encounter and equipping weekend! Find out more here.
PPS. How about Daytona Drenched Retreat March 26 – 28? This is just around the corner. For men and women!!! Find out more here.
