Following Jesus: A Lifestyle of Surrendering and Abiding

I was working a secure government job at the time, great benefits, paid vacation, bonuses and I had just been promoted. I was excited. The pay raise brought a new kind of freedom: I could buy what I wanted without waiting for a sale, go out without making a budget, and enjoy the comforts that came with financial stability.

But deep inside, something else was stirring. I wasn’t satisfied.

There was a pull, an ache, for more of Jesus. A tug-of-war had begun between flesh and spirit. One side wanted my way, my comfort, my plan. The other longed for more of Him.

One morning, during quiet time with Jesus, I heard myself pray:

“I just want to be with You like this all the time.” That’s how Jesus works. He has a way of reshaping your heart, your desires and even your words through prayer.

Something shifted in me, something I couldn’t control or explain. I felt Him leading me to let go. So I did the unthinkable: I resigned from my comfortable job without knowing what would come next.

That’s when Jesus had my full attention and my full affection.

The to-do lists, the constant motion, the deadlines, the striving to feel accomplished, the proving myself… all of it faded away. The lifestyle of Martha gave way to the posture of Mary. I just wanted to sit at His feet.

Surrender isn’t comfortable for the flesh. But when you begin to lay down your plans, your time, your habits, and your will and simply sit with Jesus, even your desire to be entertained starts to drift away.

In the beginning, it was awkward. No filler words. No pretending to know what to say. But in my yielding and waiting on Him, He became greater, more beautiful, more fulfilling.

Nothing compares to the moments when He reveals Himself. In those tender, intimate encounters, I began to understand why Moses longed to see His face. Moses was fascinated by God.

Was it easy? Absolutely not.

I didn’t renew my lease.

I lived in my vehicle for a month. But that was when I learned to rely on Jesus in ways I never had before.

Are you willing to give up comfort? Convenience? Predictability? Your agenda? Your money? Just to have more of Christ?

Salvation is free, but following Him, the narrow path…. it costs. It’s not popular. It involves surrender, and sometimes even suffering. But it’s there, in the unknown, that you truly begin to know Jesus.

It’s the very prayer of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings…”

And He is faithful. He provided me with an apartment, bigger than the one I left and sent brand-new, free furniture straight to my doorstep.

You can’t tell me God won’t supply your needs.

If you’re feeling the same pull I did, the quiet whisper to step away from the noise and follow the Good Shepherd, I encourage you: lean in. Don’t ignore Him.

The road may not always make sense. People may not understand your choice. Some may judge you. Others may even feel jealous, without knowing your full sacrifice. But that’s okay. It won’t always be easy. There is no Plan B, no other option, but to turn to Him.

Jesus is worth it. He measures success completely different from the world system and religious circles.

Time with Him is never wasted. He doesn’t call us to comfort; He calls us to closeness, to abide in Him. And in that closeness, we find the peace, purpose, joy, and presence our souls have been so desperately searching for.

Trust Jesus. Surrender fully. What is He prompting you to let go of? What is He  leading you to put down? What is He calling you to give away? Follow the Good Shepherd, He knows the way.

Scripture References: 

Exodus 33:18-23

Psalms 23

John 15 

Philippians 3:7-12