Following the Leader- PART 2 Backpacking Through Joshua Week 3

Alrighty, where was I? Oh yes... the door closed on being sent to the conference but I still felt like God was nudging me to go. Okay, maybe nudging isn't the right word. Maybe it would be better to say... urging.  Like, with urgency.  I started counting the cost to see if it was even a possibility....
Then, I had a conversation with a really amazing, Godly friend.  "I feel confident," she said to me "that you are supposed to go to this conference. In fact, I am so sure, that if you are willing to go, I will pay for your plane fare."
I teared up. My first instinct was to refuse.  I am not in the habit of letting my friends pay for plane tickets (although, now that I think of it, that would be a great habit to have! Who wants to support that habit? hehe) but I felt like it was God's way of saying 'Follow Me. I will provide.' So, I totally booked the whole thing on the spot!

just kidding.

That's what I wish I did. Instead, I put out a couple of more fleeces. You know, laid out a couple of more tests for God to let me know He REALLY FOR SURE wanted me to go.  Because apparently, for me, accelerated heart rate, confidence in my spirit, and free plane tickets are not enough.

So, I brought it to my perpetually cheap responsibly thrifty husband.  This much for hotel, this much for the shuttle, this much for the conference, this much back in free product, this much for food, and a free plane ticket. This many days away from home, this confusion with carpooling, this many meals you'll have to fend for yourselves. I waited for the hesitation.  I could barely stand the wait! I was just starting to add my next argument when he interrupted...

"yah, I think you need to go..."

oh boy.

At that point, I needed to have a little talk with myself... (the same self that was putting the finishing touches on the Backpacking Through Joshua's week 3 study in which we were looking at the characteristic of God being our Leader) and I realized that it was time to put my faith to the test...

Did I truly believe that God is my leader? 'Cause if I did... it wouldn't matter who I am (a bossy, bossy control freak) it would only matter who He is.  Leaders lead. When people believe that a leader is a good leader, they don't question... they just trust. If I want to call God my leader, and if I want to say He is a good leader, then I need to follow.

not just when it's affordable.

not just when it's convienient,

not just when it's comfortable,

but EVERY TIME He leads....

so.... I booked  the trip.  for real this time.

more to follow..........

Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”

Joshua 3:5