I started blogging in 2007, before blogging was popular. (And I’m now told that it’s dying, like all things print, because people only want to watch or listen. Gosh, I hope this isn’t true.)
When I created this site on Blogspot, before there were
other fancier forums, I titled it Obeying
the Call because that’s what it felt like. Every post seemed vulnerable to
share—and to do so was always my act of obedience.
I’m an introvert—and not the kind that thrives in virtual spaces
where I could have a larger-than-life personality. I’m afraid my online persona
is basically the same as me in real life. (To give a slightly embarrassing example,
even social media posts that get a lot of comments can sometimes overwhelm me,
and I’m always in awe of those who can reply (cleverly) to each person.
Meanwhile I’m like—ahh, all. the. people.)
And so, here I go again—sharing and being vulnerable—because
I feel God nudging my heart to pick up my blogging pen more in 2021.
2020 was awful. I think we can all agree.
I lost two friends.
I had COVID twice.
I had two non-elective surgeries.
You see a pattern there?
I started studying the significance of the number two, and
although not the only symbolism for this number, two can represent division or
contrast or opposites. Like a line in the sand—that’s the picture God gave me.
The number two
represents a choice.
Life or death.
Light or darkness.
Faith or fear.
Spirit or flesh.
Peace or anxiety.
Tree of Life or Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Two masters: God or money.
The narrow gate or the wide gate.
There are always two paths. We always have to choose.
God continually invites us to go deeper. Writing that
sentence reminds me of a dream I had years ago where God opened the door to a
staircase and said, “Come.”
There’s always a new step, a deeper level of discernment, a
stronger capacity for faith, a fresh understanding of His Word.
We’ll never have all the answers.
We’ll never have Him all figured out.
We’ll never know everything there is to know about His Word.
We’ll never not
need Him. (Yep—double negative there. That’s how strong this truth is.)
Aren’t you glad?
In 2021, God is still opening doors to staircases for me,
still extending His hand, still saying “Come.”
And He offers you the same invitation.
Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we asked for, but do you
know what He never withholds? His presence. His goodness. His faithfulness. His
joy. His love.
And when we look back, when we reflect, we see that He’s
always answering, always working, always making a way. Sometimes it’s a new
path. Sometimes it’s the same. But we have to move, participate, engage.
We have a choice this year, this day, this hour.
I’m taking a step forward. How about you?
