Have you ever felt the power of God telling you to do something?

I have.

I can tell you that it’s not always easy to hear him because I make myself so busy that I forget about listening.

Let me explain how I hear him. Because I am sure that there are some of you who might be a little jealous right now.

I can just see it now, “Hey what makes this guy so special that God talks to him?”

I have taken years perfecting listening to him so that I can hear him, most of the time.

To me, when God talks to me it’s what science would call intuition.  I pray, then listen to my “conscience”

If he tells me to pick up the phone and call someone, I do it.  If I get the feeling to send a text, I do it.  When I spend money I ask him if it’s the right choice? And he either gives me peace or makes me sick to my stomach.

And I mean spending money. (like $600K or $100) I pray about everything. Then I do my best to listen.

You’ve got to hear this one. 

It wasn’t too long ago I was toying with the idea of moving because I felt like God was calling us to be somewhere else.  Or maybe I thought that I couldn’t move up in the current company I was with without moving. 

Either way, we were seriously thinking about buying property a long way away from home.  And you have to realize that I have never lived more than 50 miles from where I grew up.

This was extremely scary for me.

Then all of a sudden my boss’s contract was terminated, and they promoted someone else to his position. They didn’t even open the job, just did a quick wham bam thank you ma’am promotion.

I was just a little perturbed.

But you know that that did?

It pushed Jenna and me into starting our business.

Then that led directly into starting these devotionals and starting the God First Life Next Community we have today.

So when I say that God tricked us into starting this it’s absolutely true.

He opened our minds and hearts to something bigger than where we currently were.

Then BAM, he said hey you need to start writing devotionals, make a website, create an email list, start talking to more people about me and my awesome son (Jesus).

So what did we do?

We leaned in, said, “God you are Crazy. With a capital C.”

Here’s the truth, and you can probably tell by the way I write, but the last book I read from cover to cover, I mean actually read. Was in 4th grade. (don’t tell my mom, she will be super upset. Lol)

Honestly, I went all the way through middle school, high school, a few college classes before I ever read a book.

Then I had kids, that changed everything.  There is no saying ‘no’ to a kid when they come and look up at you and say, “dad will you read me this book” I was like no can’t you  just watch a movie. Lol  

Of course, I said yes. 

Now I have read the bible from cover to cover several times, tons of HUGE chapter books, currently, we are reading the Harry Potter series at home to the kids at night.  (talk about looong books)

But I love it.

Do you want to know the CRAZIEST thing?

I have stuff with Copyright protection! 

What, Dan Greer has multiple items with Copyright protection? NOOOO WAY! 

I know it’s crazy. 

You know why I have those, why I read all those books.  Why do I read about 52 books a year now?

Because God tricked me into doing it. Lol

He put a love for learning in my heart, then introduced me to some amazing kids that love getting read to.

It’s pretty amazing that our 15-year-old son is ready for bed early because he’s like “Dad’s home, we are goanna read!” Love you, Billy.

Nathen tells me regularly, “Dad, I love the voices you make while you read, they are the best!”

Brianna and Jacob both love when we read the bible to them too.

And I would have never had the confidence to read them if God wouldn’t have tricked me into it.

Just like we would have never started God First, he would have never tricked me into starting to write devotionals.

You know what. We have been toying with the idea of writing a book for devotionals.  365 days of devotionals for business!  WHAT. I know CRAZY!

Here’s what you need to know about being tricked by God. It happened to you too.

The last time something unexpected happened to you, it was really God tricking you into doing something that was WAY out of your comfort zone.

And you know what happens when we step out of our comfort zone?

We GROW. 

And when God tricks us into stepping out of our comfort zone, we grow closer to him.

I know that this devotional has been all over the place….

But, here’s what I need you to do.

Next time you are about to step outside of your comfort zone, take a deep breath, smile, and tell God, “We got this, you and me!”

Then take that Huge LEAP so you can grow closer to God.

Take action

Think back to when was the last time you took uncomfortable action?

What did it feel like?

Did you feel pushed to do it? That was God!

Exciting, right?

Now it’s time to take more action. Think of something that scares the transitions out of you?  Got it? Don’t tell anyone, just say yes if you have it!

I was gonna say close your eyes, then it hit me you can’t do that and read. Duh.

Ok look up and tell God, “Are you ready for this?  I’m ready to Jump in head first, You and I are gonna make this happen, NOW”

One last thing, look back up and tell God, “Thanks for tricking me so many times.  Without you, I would have never grown into the awesome person that I am today.”