Two years and six days ago I did something big and scary: God told me I needed to quit my job, so I did. I had no idea what He had planned. I had no clue what I was going to do. I knew my Master was telling me, “take this step of faith and I will open the door.” So I took it. After 2 months of waiting He make the way clear. I had no idea that He was giving me work that would fulfill the many years of passion wanting to burst within my veins. I couldn't comprehend how He was going to weave photography into bringing glory to His name. Once He finally opened the door, I was puzzled. "God is this really what you have for me? Wouldn't a life on a mission field be better?"

Last week was so beautiful. We were on vacation in the Smokies for a few days with Jonathan's family. There is nothing more peaceful than being overshadowed by grandiose mountain peaks or hearing the load song of a mountain river. It provided a wonderful time for me to think a little and for the Lord to search my heart. One morning I was listening to Rend Collective (they are a great worship band, by the way) and this line pierced my heart - "I do not need safety as much as I need You." I feel safe staying where I am, but following Christ is not like stagnant pond. It's more like a rushing river, ever changing and always flowing towards the Sea. I've been far too content to be like that little pond. I realized that I need Jesus more than the comfort of staying where I am. Someone once said, "You cannot stay where you are and go with God." Following Jesus costs everything. Still the price is gladly paid, knowing that all that I am and all that I have equates to nothing. He has everything, He is everything, and He is all that I desire. He has to be first or I will not have the power of Christ flowing like that beautiful river.

I want to live with purpose and passion…every single day. I want a life that counts. Most of us probably do. This isn't a new desire. I've always wanted to live with purpose. I just didn't know what it takes to do it. Maybe I thought purpose and passion would happen upon me one day. I guess I hoped it would come like a letter and say "This is your purpose in life, and this is how you accomplish it." If only, right? I'm not sure why I thought it was going to be so, well, BIG! And hard too. I've realized that it's not big or hard at all. In actuality, it's small and easy.

You cannot sustain a God-given passion or fulfill a God-given dream apart from the One who gave it. He must be the motivation and the orchestrater. I have seen this in my life time and time again. Psalm 52:9 seems to be a reoccurring theme in my heart these days. Today I cannot help but say again, "I will thank You forever, because You have done it." Him - not me, not my plans or schemes. The things He has put in our hearts have come to pass.

The best investment you can make with your life is in people. Jesus spent the majority of this earthly ministry walking around with 12 guys, teaching them along the way. What am I doing? Who am I investing in? These are questions I have found myself asking as of late. At the end of my life it won't be the success of my business that gets up and says something. It probably won't be people who liked my facebook page or follow me on twitter. It will be those I spent my life with, the ones I poured myself into. Relationships matter, so I need to live like it. Lately I've been so convicted about this area. I want to give everything I've got to my relationship with Christ, with my husband, with my family and with others.