At 8 years old, I had an unforgettable, supernatural touch from God.

What led up to that moment was a simple conversation on an everyday afternoon.

Mom was in the kitchen baking cookies, and I began to ask her questions about God. 

I wanted to know how one can be certain they’ll go to Heaven. I’d heard plenty about this already, but I had questions, and Mom had answers.

My young mind pondered her words.

And then came Sunday.

Our Baptist church had the same routine at the end of each service, and I knew it well. 

As we would sing, the pastor would wait up front with an open invitation for those willing to approach him and offer their hearts to Jesus.

Not that we couldn’t find Jesus without this ritual, but making that walk was an important step in acknowledging this decision to God and others, and I knew that.

The music spilled forth, all singing in unison.

“I surrender all…  I surrender all…”

And then I felt it.  A physical force touching my shoulder, pushing me toward the aisle. 

I knew what God wanted me to do.  And I wanted it too.

But afraid of the crowd, I gave way to fear. 

I did all I could do to stay in place; clenching the pew in front of me, and planting my feet firm.

And when the song ended, there I stood.

To this day, I wish I would have responded to God in that moment. 

I could have started my journey with him SO much sooner.

And I would have avoided the confusion that came in the years to come – struggling with the doubt that I could know God without another supernatural touch.

I did eventually overcome this.  But not for a very long time.

Can I blame that timid 8-year-old girl for her choice?  Absolutely not.  But I can learn from it. 

Here are two things that her choice taught me.  

1. Don’t let fear make your decisions for you.
2. When God makes his desire for you known, it truly is best if you listen.

Fear is a liar.  It will tell you that you can’t do something that God can help you do.

And whatever it is that he asks of you, he is asking that thing for both your good, and for his purposes.  Keep that in mind.

Isaiah 48:17 says:

I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

There is always a path that God wants us to take.  And speaking from experience, following his well-charted path is so much easier than forging our own way through unknown territory.

I’ve tried it both ways, as I’m sure you have too.

Sometimes his path is delightful, sometimes challenging.  But if we are faithful to follow, there is reward.

• It may be a path that leads to treasures only God could give.
• It might be a road that changes us for the better.
• Or it may seem a treacherous trail that, in the end, deepens our faith as no other path could.

In any case, you’ll never know unless you walk it.

In my prayer journal this morning (my Two-Way prayer), God talked to me about path-taking, and he used a phrase I found interesting. 

He called his way the “narrow, joyful path.” 

Not my words. 

But what better way to describe it? 

Because sometimes, following God’s way is counter to what our flesh wants us to do.  That’s why it’s the narrow path.  Few choose it.  

And the joy part?  I’ll let David tell you:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  – Psalm 16:11

Friend, can I offer you some advice from the heart of an 8-year-old girl?  One who would do things differently if she could do it again?

Let go of the pew. 

Follow his lead.

Do what you know he is asking of you.

And choose the joy to be found at the end of the narrow, joyful path.

He Says:

My sweet child, remember that I control your destiny, and that you are my beloved. Follow me with complete trust always, not going your own way, but submitting to mine. This is the way to purity of heart, inner peace, and the joy that few find. Shrug off the cares of this world and walk the narrow, joyful path.  Be at peace today, glorifying my name and resting in my presence.

“He Says” passages are excerpts taken from my personal prayer journal.  These are things God has spoken to me directly, and my prayer is that he will use them to speak to you.