But if you say so. . .
Have you ever said those words?
It usually means that you aren’t sure that you want to do something, but out of respect or for some other reason, you gently bend your will to theirs.
I like my plan better, but I’ll try yours.
I think I know better than you, but I’ll trust you.
I’m kinda the expert here, but I’ll let you take the lead.
What if God is the one that’s asking you?
What if you aren’t sure if He knows what He’s doing?
Oh, Suzie, that’s a terrible thing to say.
Okay, maybe, but I’ve thought it and so have you, but more so I believe that God knows our hearts and our thoughts and the motivation behind them, so I don’t think it’s terrible to be honest with the one we love and who loves us back. I think it’s real. It’s what you do in a relationship.
Sometimes God asks you to believe BIG and you look around and everything feels really small, including your faith.
But if you say so, Jesus.
Sometimes He asks you to take a leap of faith and it feels like there’s a cavern on the other side.
But if you say so, Jesus.
I shared a few weeks ago about an adventure that I’m taking. I thought it was going to take place a year from now, but things firmed up more quickly than was thought possible. That moved it up — into the busiest season of my life. I’ll be connecting with that team two weeks from today.
While I’m gone my book, Come With Me, will be launched.
While it’s hard to think that I’ll be away on those important days, if I’m more worried about writing a book about following Jesus than actually following him, I shouldn’t be writing at all.
Its a big “but if you say so” moment.
Lord, this makes no sense in the natural.
God, the timing. . . .seriously, it’s pretty awful.
I surrender.
But if you say so.
It’s my privilege to follow you.
Whatever you ask, wherever you lead.
When we start to bend our will gently toward His, a progression takes place.
“But if you say so” turns into surrender and then we walk with Jesus.
As I take typhoid and malaria meds and a host of shots like Hepatitis A, etc.; as I pack clothing for 110+ degree weather; as I look around and see what I should be doing instead of climbing on a plane, I’m embracing this “but if you say so” season.
There are people in this country that will become friends. There will be challenging days, I know that in advance. There is a reason that God plucked me from my busy schedule to embrace His — and if for no other reason than to simply trust Him, there’s joy to be found in that.
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” But if you say so. Luke 5:5 (NIV)
Where is God leading you?
Are you in a “but if you say so” season?
As I climb on a plane in two weeks, I’d love your prayers, but I also want to pray with you. Let’s join hands as women who love Jesus and encourage each other.
Suzie
I want to give you a free gift.
It’s the Foreword, Introduction, and Chapter One of Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads.
Find out more about Come With Me
If you are planning a summer study in your church or small group, I’d love to drop in by FaceTime or Skype if you choose Come With Me as your study.
Come With me is perfect for a Bible study with questions at the end of each chapter, and designed to take your small group or women’s ministries group deeper.
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Suzie, My prayers are with you! You’re example of going with Him wherever He says is truly inspiring. Your prompt had my heart and mind turning all week. Thank you for loving so big and so well.
Hugs,
Lori
I love your willingness to step out in obedience to God and surrender to him. Praying for you in all the busyness and preparations.
What beautiful, encouraging words today! Thank you for sharing your own struggle in doing what doesn’t seem to make sense. Thank you for following and trusting anyway.
Thank you for the excerpt from your book. All I’ve read so far is the dedication but that one sentence has made me committed to pray for you.
So excited for all God is doing in and through you, Suzie! Keep following!
It sounds as if you have a lot to trust for!
Thank you for blazing the trail of obedience here!
Suzie,
The post I linked up today was inspired by the first chapter of your book. I’ve heard you say that your prayer for Come with Me is for it to be more than a book…for it to be a movement. I’m here to tell you that God began working in my heart well before I even knew of your book, beckoning me to follow him…whenever, wherever, however. The first chapter of your book simply put words to what God is already doing in my own life and my own walk with him. He is at work, and you are part of His work. So, thank you! I can’t wait to read more….
So excited for this opportunity for you, Suzie, for you to truly live out the words in your book!! I will be leading a small group study for the book Come with Me either over the Summer or early in the Fall and I will turn to connect with you, I would love to have you connect with my girls in person!! What an honor!! 🙂
Suzie- I absolutely loved this prompt! I have done this many times myself and it has led me to so many amazing places physically and spiritually! It also helped to focus my own thoughts about my next leap into His will. Thank you for the prompt and for your graciousness in inviting us into your own vulnerability. God will cover you and the book launch we all know this. Go where He leads-only and most importantly because He says so!
Amen Suzie! I can so relate to this, as taking the step to join COMPEL was an “if you say so” moment for me. I guess that’s why it’s called faith. We can’t always see what God is doing. We are simply called to trust and take small steps of obedience.
Praying over the launch of your new book as well as your upcoming trip!
~Ephesians 3:20 💞
Blessings,
Tosha
I love this Suzie and I cannot wait to read this new book! I will continue praying for your upcoming trip and for this launch of Come With Me. <3
Suzie, I love that your are living your message. His ways are certainly higher, different, and better than ours. Can’t wait to see what God does!
More than once ~ I’ve said it more than once. But every time I said “yes”, the results have been beyond my imagination. Praying for you, Suzie, in this upcoming season of “yes”. Can’t wait to hear all about God’s hand and thread through the upcoming days of your life. (Sounds like a soap opera….ha! Glad it’s not. 😉 )
You go, Suzie! I’m cheering you on and praying for you today. I know you go only by His power. I know He has great things planned for this trip.
Like Sarah above, I knew your book would speak to me the minute I read the title. Right now it looks like God may be calling me into some places I’d rather not tread, so your words are speaking encouragement.
Thank you, Betsy. Praying with you.
I love your heart so much Suzie. You have such a graceful wisdom that is a gift, really. “Where we go is not as nearly as important as WHO we go with.” Man I love that!
But if you say so…. when things don’t make sense, but you know you should obey. Many of the times God has called me to do something it’s had to be a “But if you say so…” It requires faith, and laying down my ideas of what should be. I love this post, Suzie. It speaks right into my heart today. I will be praying for you during this time of stepping out!
Suzie, praying for your trip today. Excited to hear about what God is going to do in you and through you during this journey. Hugs
Oh, did your message hit home for me! I am considering a prompt to change careers – a path that I feel God put before me. But I don’t know! I’m afraid, I’m worried about whether this is God’s sign, or a sign for me to appreciate where I am…
oh, prayer is the only way through this.