I’m reading through the Bible in 60 days.

I took on this challenge because I wanted to see the Bible as one whole story instead of disconnected bits and pieces.  Reading the entire Old and New testaments in 60 days is not a deep dive into theology but instead a time to see how the entire biblical narrative works together.

It’s beautiful to see the story God has written for us, and it’s beautiful to think of all His story that isn’t written down.  For two thousand years since Christ died there have been only little records here and there of how the story continues on but I can only imagine it consists of the same trials and triumphs of our beloved Bible characters.

I bet if we could see the story of the Kingdom over the past two thousand years we would notice the same ups and downs.  We would see ordinary people turn away from from their disobedience and back to the Lord to see Him move in majestic ways.  As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Our failures and disobediences don’t phase the Lord.  He isn’t going to smite us forever, he’s not surprised when we turn away from His once again to seek our pleasure.  

Something that surprised me as I was reading through the book of Deuteronomy is that God reminds his people of the blessing of obeying the covenant and then takes an aged and near-death Moses aside to basically tell him the Israelites are going to fail and turn to other gods (Deut 31:16-18).  Talk about a bummer for Moses.

Later we see that even in those times they turn away (the book of Judges amiright?). God is faithful and uses the vessels that are willing, no matter how imperfect.

Are we really willing vessels?  I so often have to remind myself to say yes and be obedient. God isn’t looking for our sacrifice, he just wants our obedience.

I often want to say no to things that are too hard.  I tend to be like Saul who was so afraid of being Israel’s first king that it says he hid amongst the baggage when Samuel called forth his name.  I don’t want to forfeit the calling that God has placed upon my life because I’m afraid of failure.

Brad is a bit under the weather today and asked me to write the weekly newsletter at 3:01 pm.  I was sitting on the couch in a pile of popcorn our youngest had spilled to the right and clothes that needed folded to the left.  As a mom of soon to be 7 children I perpetually have something I should be doing and unfortunately I responded with a “right now?!” and “I don’t think I have that in me.”  As time passed I felt bothered and convicted that I would not only be a helpmate to my husband, but also step into this little act of obedience and trust that the Holy Spirit would give me something to share.  

I don’t have the eloquent words that you hear from Brad every week, but I do know that what I have to say is important too.  Writing doesn’t come naturally to me like it does to the apprentices of The Company, but that doesn’t mean I’m not sometimes called to write.  

If God is calling you to do something, just do it.  If you want to be a writer, start small and post on social media.  If you’re already a writer, step into those bigger risks tugging at your heart.  

I know many times over the past few years God has called me to a greater writing role.  I have a story idea that’s been rolling around in my mind for almost two years.  As the wife of an amazing teacher of writing what excuse do I have to not pen it?  Yet I have found every excuse to put it to the side over and over again because it feels insurmountable.  I love writing small pleasantries and prose, but an entire novel?  That feels like tackling Mt. Everest.  

I know without a doubt that God gave me this storyline and if He gave it to me He will give me what I need to complete it.  I’ve let myself by distracted by my “shoulds” and I’ve certainly given God too many of my “buts” to count, but it boils down to me choosing disobedience and seeking comfort instead.  

God didn’t promise obedience would be easy or comfortable but He did say we will be blessed through it.  

So, do we want the blessing or do we want comfort?

Melissa Pauquette
Co-founder, The Company

---

Connect with other believers and start your journey with The Company. Join our free e-newsletter: