Freedom in the Lord

Today, I have special guest, June Foster, for our devotional entry. Thank you, June, for sharing your heart with us!

For the Christian, walking in close intimacy with God is the most rewarding way to live. I am never more joyful and at peace when I remain in fellowship with Him. But unfortunately it’s not always easy.

I’m a first born child and type A personality. All my life, I’ve felt the demand to accomplish tasks expected of me. There’s also a bit of OCD in the mix, too. Therefore, I take the job of being a Christian seriously. Too seriously. But what’s wrong with that?

The prayer list from church, the prayer needs I read about on Facebook, our country that needs a revival, these and many more weigh on me. Sometimes I practice self-talk and say if I don’t pray enough, God might not be pleased with me. What else? Sending get well and sympathy cards, calling friends who need encouragement. What if I skipped somebody? Is this pointing to legalism? I think it is. So what’s the answer? While all of those things are important, I allow the sense of obligation to stand between me and a close walk with God. I need to take to heart when God says “Be still and know that I am God.” And “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will direct your path.”

I am slowly learning the Christian walk is not about me but about God. Lord, “Direct my footsteps according to Your word. Let no sin rule over me.” Psalms 119:133.

I can do nothing to improve my status before God. When I relax and allow God to work, He’ll place His will in my heart—at His perfect pace. When I’m totally resting and trusting in Him, that’s what pleases Him.

Thank you, again, June, for appearing on Finding the Silver Linings Daily. I know I am guilty of feeling pressure and stress and wishing I could rush God into action. I need to sit back and let Him direct my path, always.

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June’s book Give Us This Day was a finalist in EPIC’s eBook awards and a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards for best first book. Ryan’s Father was one of three finalists in the published contemporary fiction category of the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards. Deliver Us was a finalist in COTT’s Laurel Awards. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Ryan’s Father is published by WhiteFire Publishing. Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, is available from Amazon.com. The Almond Tree series, For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, What God Knew, and Almond Street Mission are available at Amazon.com. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. Recently June has seen publication of Christmas at Raccoon Creek, Lavender Fields Inn, Misty Hollow, and Restoration of the Heart. Visit June at junefoster.com.

Her novel, Letting Go: A Small Town Novel, released on June 21, 2017 and is available on Amazon (along with all her other awesome novels and collections).

Pastor Zackary Lawrence lost his wife and unborn child when an embolism took her life. After questioning God why, Zack couldn’t find the will to continue as pastor at Oak Mountain Bible church in his small town of Oak Mountain, Alabama. But when his parents encouraged him to continue his work, he reluctantly returned to the pulpit. Now, six months later, the congregation has dwindled to less than a handful, and Zack witnesses the closing of the church’s doors. Desperate, he takes a job at the local hardware store and reluctantly moves in with his parents.

Though Ella Russell had secretly been in love with Zack since high school, her hopes were shredded when he returned from seminary, accompanied by a wife. Trying to forget the only guy she’d ever loved, she threw herself into her profession as a high school counselor, working with rebellious youth. When Zack’s wife died, Ella grieved with him. Now as one of the few remaining members of Oak Mountain Bible Church, she tries to encourage Zack yet abandons her dream of a future with him. But when she drops by the church, the worst has happened. She finds a distraught Zack locking the doors for good with the bank’s immanent foreclosure.

Can God resurrect Zack’s life and allow him to finally discover the woman he’s always loved? If Ella entrusts her heart to Zack, will he shatter her hopes once more?

I hope you enjoyed today’s devotional and will come back on September 1st to read Cynthia Roemer’s devotional. In the meantime, check saralfoust.com for the Summer Spotlight Series interviews. I am learning a lot about some amazing authors and artists.

(Butterfly on flower picture taken by my mom, Barbara Campbell)

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