My five-year plan? Done. Ten year? Planned to the t. My life was dreamed up, set into motion and I was ecstatic about all I was going to do for God. I was going to do big things for the Kingdom. Mighty things.

I realized one day while sitting on a wooden park bench overlooking Seattle’s Space Needle (my favorite spot to pray and journal), that I had accidentally planned God right out of my plans. I was having so much fun dreaming up an amazing life for Him that I forgot it’s only amazing if it’s designed by Him.

I knew what I was passionate about and what my heart desired, but was that truly God’s best for my life?

I didn’t wake up the next morning knowing God was going to flip my life upside down in the best way possible, but little by little, Christ began shifting my priorities and allowing me to dream a little bigger.

And then bigger still.

Somehow, I became comfortable with being very uncomfortable. I no longer lived a life of safety, nor did I have life all figured out. In fact, as I began to embrace uncertainty and mystery and discomfort, my relationship with my heavenly Father intensified and engulfed me in an all-out fire. Lack of safety and joy somehow went hand in hand as I had begun to say yes to Him, giving God control of more than just the little things in my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I was scared to death. I still am.

But over and over, God has opened my eyes and heart to evidence in the Bible of other ordinary people who have also told Him, Yes and Send me to prove I’m not alone in my fear and reluctance. Even when things seem simply too big for little ol’ me.