I was part of a discussion this week where we talked about obedience coming from a place of love. And I remembered a simple prayer I have prayed for years. “Increase my love for you, Father.” It is a prayer I have prayed on repeat among many others.
But today God took me back to a little swing I sat on beside a lake in Minnesota. I was a young college student with a freshly broken heart and God’s presence with me on that swing that day was tangible. He was tending my heart while also inviting me deeper
. 
All these years later I am so grateful for his invitation to go deeper, to remember we don’t have to do any of this alone. I am human and I forget. Sometimes my heart defaults to fear or anxiety. I forget the invitation. But I believe that simple prayer to increase my love for Him has been guarding my heart all along.
When I forget I’m not alone He reminds me. When life feels unbearably hard He lifts my chin and says, “ Lift up your eyes beloved.”
When I am walking in times of answered prayers, surrounded by love He highlights it to me. Love for Him increases in my heart and I am compelled by His love to continue this obedience journey.
I am compelled to follow Him.
What compels you to follow Him beloved?

