EP 63: Marked by Fire: The Weight of Being a Living Sacrifice (Part 2)

Summary

Podcast Summary: In Totality with Megan Ashley
Episode: EP 63: Marked by Fire: The Weight of Being a Living Sacrifice (Part 2)
Release Date: March 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the second part of Episode 63, titled "Marked by Fire: The Weight of Being a Living Sacrifice," host Megan Ashley continues her in-depth conversation with Preston Morrison. Together, they delve into the profound responsibilities and challenges of living a life wholly devoted to God. This episode explores themes of personal holiness, the balance between self-awareness and self-compassion, the importance of obedience over ambition, and the journey along the narrow path of Christian faith.

Defining Serious Christianity and Living Sacrifice

Megan opens the discussion by seeking to understand what it means to be a "serious Christian" and how one can embody a living sacrifice in everyday life. Preston provides a powerful analogy:

Preston Morrison [01:07]: "What if you saw your calling as running a race, a marathon... every single person God in this season of their lives has called to run with you."

He emphasizes the importance of personal growth and setting higher spiritual standards, even in the face of criticism.

Personal Holiness vs. Legalism

The conversation shifts to distinguishing personal holiness from legalism. Preston acknowledges the inevitable criticism that comes with striving for holiness but reaffirms its necessity:

Preston Morrison [02:20]: "Anyone endeavoring to live a life of holiness is from time to time going to be accused of being legalistic. It's okay."

He cites a verse from 2 Timothy to illustrate the importance of being a vessel of honor for God:

Preston Morrison [02:56]: "If anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the master, prepared for every good work."

God's Patience and Slow Spiritual Growth

Preston and Megan discuss God's deliberate pace in spiritual growth, contrasting human impatience with divine timing. Preston uses the metaphor of a marathon to explain how extended periods of faithfulness build trust and resilience:

Preston Morrison [16:31]: "Biblical Christianity can only happen in a crock pot, slow cook... and he's going to bring him glory the way that it is."

Megan adds that rushing God's process can lead to incomplete character development:

Megan Ashley [19:49]: "I'd rather have character than have something that is fleeting."

Self-Awareness and Overcoming Self-Condemnation

The dialogue moves toward the balance between healthy self-awareness and self-condemnation. Megan shares her struggle with being hard on herself despite her self-awareness:

Megan Ashley [34:00]: "I have to be mindful, too. Of even how I allow criticism of myself."

Preston offers practical advice on transforming negative self-talk into constructive growth:

Preston Morrison [35:07]: "The Lord just. He’s honest. He’s not that kind of parent... pointing out some stuff where it's like, I want you to be better at that."

He recounts a personal experience where God corrected his self-condemnation, teaching him to view himself through a lens of love and growth rather than criticism.

Obedience over Ambition

Preston and Megan explore the distinction between acting out of obedience versus personal ambition. Preston underscores that obedience aligns actions with God's will, ensuring that God's glory is prioritized over personal recognition:

Preston Morrison [45:16]: "If I’m doing what I do in obedience, he’ll always get the glory because he asked for it to be done."

Megan complements this by highlighting the cultural tendency towards self-centeredness and immediate gratification, urging listeners to focus on obedience as a path to genuine fulfillment.

The Narrow Path in Christianity

Central to the episode is the concept of the "narrow path" as referenced in Scripture. Preston defines walking the narrow path as embodying sacrificial love and obedience, mirroring Christ's example:

Preston Morrison [46:36]: "When you become a living sacrifice, this is the way. Jesus was the embodiment of sacrificial love."

Megan emphasizes the importance of committing to this path despite societal pressures to conform to less demanding spiritual standards:

Megan Ashley [44:39]: "Few find it. Narrow is the way."

Managing Negative Thoughts and the Inner Critic

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on identifying and managing negative thought patterns that can hinder spiritual growth. Preston elaborates on the concept of the inner critic and its impact:

Preston Morrison [31:28]: "A heart makes a dangerous brain."

He advises listeners to transform self-criticism into self-improvement by leveraging their awareness to draw closer to God rather than fall into shame and isolation.

Practical Applications and Journal Prompt

To help listeners internalize the episode's teachings, Preston offers a journal prompt aimed at addressing fears associated with living sacrificially:

Preston Morrison [51:50]: "Write, 'Lord, my biggest fears about being a living sacrifice for you are...' and then spend time discussing these fears with God."

This exercise encourages honest reflection and reliance on God's support to overcome personal hurdles.

Conclusion and Prayer

As the episode concludes, Megan and Preston reinforce the importance of maintaining a committed and obedient Christian walk. Preston shares a heartfelt prayer, inviting listeners to seek deeper connections with God and embrace their roles as living sacrifices:

Preston Morrison [52:38]: "Holy Spirit, would you grab the hand and heart of every person watching this... into an all new journey deeper into the cave as a living sacrifice, doing things your way, not theirs?"

Megan encourages listeners to follow Preston's work and engage with the broader Christian community to continue their spiritual journey.

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Notable Quotes

1. Preston Morrison [02:20]:

   "Anyone endeavoring to live a life of holiness is from time to time going to be accused of being legalistic. It's okay."

2. Preston Morrison [16:31]:

   "Biblical Christianity can only happen in a crock pot, slow cook... and he's going to bring him glory the way that it is."

3. Preston Morrison [31:28]:

   "A heart makes a dangerous brain."

4. Preston Morrison [46:36]:

   "When you become a living sacrifice, this is the way. Jesus was the embodiment of sacrificial love."

5. Preston Morrison [52:38]:

   "Holy Spirit, would you grab the hand and heart of every person watching this... into an all new journey deeper into the cave as a living sacrifice, doing things your way, not theirs?"

Key Takeaways

• Living as a Sacrifice: Embracing a life devoted to God involves constant personal holiness and obedience, even when it attracts criticism.

• Patience in Growth: Spiritual maturity is a gradual process that builds trust and character, much like a marathon rather than a sprint.

• Healthy Self-Awareness: It's essential to recognize personal weaknesses without succumbing to self-condemnation, allowing God to guide growth.

• Obedience Over Ambition: Prioritizing obedience ensures that actions glorify God rather than fulfilling personal ego.

• Embracing the Narrow Path: Following Christ's example of sacrificial love leads to a fulfilling and purposeful Christian life.

• Managing the Inner Critic: Transform negative self-talk into opportunities for spiritual growth by aligning thoughts with God's love and purpose.

• Practical Reflection: Engaging in reflective practices, such as journaling, helps address fears and deepen one's commitment to living sacrificially.

Action Steps for Listeners

1. Reflect on the Journal Prompt: Take time to write down your fears about living as a living sacrifice and discuss them with God.

2. Embrace Obedience: Focus on aligning your actions with God's will rather than pursuing personal ambitions.

3. Cultivate Patience: Trust in God's timing for your spiritual growth, understanding that true character development takes time.

4. Manage Negative Thoughts: Recognize and transform negative self-talk into constructive growth opportunities with God's guidance.

5. Commit to the Narrow Path: Strive to embody sacrificial love and obedience in all areas of your life, following Christ's example.

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This episode of In Totality offers a profound exploration of what it means to live a life wholly devoted to God. Through heartfelt dialogue and practical insights, Megan Ashley and Preston Morrison provide listeners with the tools and encouragement needed to embrace their calling as living sacrifices, navigating the challenges with faith, patience, and unwavering commitment.

Transcript

[Megan]

Introducing Instagram Teen accounts. A new way to keep your teen safer as they grow. Like making sure they've got the right gear for writing.

[Preston Morrison]

Knee pads. Check. And helmet.

[Megan]

Done. See you, dad. New Instagram teen accounts. Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can see. What's up, you guys? Welcome back. Thank you so much for being patient. Welcome to Part two. We are going to conclude our conversation with Preston Morrison. Listen, we're getting right into it. What does it mean to be a serious Christian? What does that look like? How do we practically do that in our, our lives? We're talking about all the things. So. Welcome back to the conversation with Preston Morrison. I hope you enjoy it.

[Preston Morrison]

Let me answer according to you first and then I'll, I'll kind of apply it to them first. Let me say, you know, when you personalized it and said, you know, without me getting too legalistic, you know, but I want to take this as seriously.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

As I possibly can. Let me give you a different way to see it. What if you saw your calling as running a race, a marathon? Paul described it as that ran the race, that finished it, fought the fight. When you run harder, I want you to think about every single person, God in this season of their lives has called to run with you. Okay. What would it change if you started to see your race like this? The harder I run my race, the faster a pace I run my race as a Christ follower, the faster everyone running with me runs to tell me how that's bad.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Tell me how that's bad.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

If every year you're setting a personal record in your mile pace, now some will, to your point, say she's just getting legalistic. Here's what I would say in response to that. Anyone endeavoring to live a life of holiness is from time to time going to be accused of being legalistic. It's okay.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

The way I say to people when I was younger and insecure, I would say, I don't care what you think about me or say about me, which was not actually true for sure. As a 46 year old man who's a little more settled, here's how I say it now. It's okay. No matter what you think of me or what you say of me. You might think I'm getting legalistic by reading through scripture six times in a year.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

It's okay. I'm not doing it for you.

[Megan]

Correct.

[Preston Morrison]

But I am trying to set a new pace. My record is five and a half times. I'm trying to Set a new pace this year. I don't do that every year.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

But this. Some might push against that. I would just say, I think it's second Timothy. Let me see if I can find it. This is a brand new Bible. You know how when you get a new Bible. Okay, 20 verse 20. But in a great house, they are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the master, prepared for every good work. This right here has been a verse for me since I was a boy where when I would feel the tension of. And really sometimes kind of hearing the voice of the enemy going, your standard is too high spiritually.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Like, bro, you don't need to read six. It's ridiculous.

[Megan]

It's not that deep.

[Preston Morrison]

You don't have to go that hard.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That's. That's my flesh. Or that's the enemy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

This is a passage the Lord has used in my life to go, Preston, what was my goal for your life for you to be a special utensil used in the master's hands for honorable use. Not for daily frivolous uses, for honorable holy uses. And that means if my design for you and my desire for you is holy use, that therefore means you're going to have to up your game in the area of personal holiness.

[Megan]

That's so helpful.

[Preston Morrison]

And. And that's. It's just.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Part of the entry fee.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Of running this race.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

We have got to you. You said it earlier in the episode, be holy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

For I am holy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

It does look differently for everyone, for sure. And I think, like I said, I quoted this. It came just. The Lord, you know, dropped it on me, and it became one of the things that people quote me for saying, but the severity of what he saved me from deserves the severity of my life. And I think sometimes we have to be mindful at criticizing those who are a little intense maybe to you, about how they are approaching the things of God or speaking of the things of God, because you don't know what people have been saved from. And. And when I had that moment on the porch right out here in 2023, where I gave the Lord a serious. Yes. It was because I saw the seriousness of who he was and I saw the seriousness of my sins. I saw it. I mean, and still seeing.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah. You can't unsee that.

[Megan]

Oh, my gosh.

[Preston Morrison]

Your soul can't unsee that.

[Megan]

It is one of the most. My friend asked me the other day, like, he was like, you know, what keeps the main thing. The main thing for you? Like, how do you stick to the main thing? How do you keep God as the focus? Like, how. I'm like, I can't unsee that.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

I can't.

[Preston Morrison]

Beautiful.

[Megan]

I cannot unsee it. And. And there are times where I wish I could. I can't unsee that. Like. Like, again, Isaiah 6 is like that thing that always. I can relate it because it's like, you saw him, how holy he is. I mean, and you cannot. And then you realize, you're like, woe is me. Whoa. I am. I am. I am ruined. I'm a man of unclean. I am trash without you.

[Preston Morrison]

Right.

[Megan]

Like, without your sanctification, without you doing this work in me. I am. I mean, it's one of the scariest things. That's why I'm really not scared of much. I don't really have a fear of a whole lot of things. Like, I'm not easily moved by stuff. But when I think about what he showed me, I mean, it keeps me to my core wanting to. Just like, God, I never want to be that far from you again and be that far and be that unaware. And so I just think that we have to be mindful of how we criticize or critique, how serious people take their faith. Because it's like, you don't know.

[Preston Morrison]

You don't know where they've been.

[Megan]

You don't know.

[Preston Morrison]

You don't know what the Lord's shown them. And Ecclesiastes says, there is a time, a season, for everything.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Sometimes we forget everybody's in a different season.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And so in one season, someone might look at you and go, that's too intense. And then two years from now, they may run right past you and go, she not intense enough.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

Because they're in a different season.

[Megan]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

So if we just give everybody some space.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

To be on their journey. And I don't mean the journey they pick, but the one God hand picked for them.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

God has each of us in a process. Make space for it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And don't judge where God has somebody in that particular season of their life.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

And don't even. And don't. And be mindful to. I have to be mindful, too. Of even how I allow criticism of myself. Like, how I even think about me doing that. Like you said the enemy. Like, oh, that's too much. Or you don't need to you don't need to do all that. It's like I. I feel like I'm in this space now where I'm just like, I don't think there's any amount that I could give him that would be too much or even enough.

[Preston Morrison]

You're where Solomon was when he dedicated the temple, when he became king. He dedicates the temple sacrifice when one was called for. My man drops a thousand times. A thousand. I'm just throwing a silly number because he got to the place where it will never be enough. He had grown up under a father who literally said when he made the single biggest offering in the history of humanity. Present day value theologians say somewhere around a quarter of a trillion dollars David gave to build the temple. And what did David say? He said, God, everything I'm giving you, you gave to me. It's yours anyway.

[Megan]

It's yours anyway.

[Preston Morrison]

There's nothing I could give to you that would be equal to what you've given me. It's genius. And Solomon grew up with that as his normal. And I think that is a beautiful picture for us to say. No matter how much we lay down before the Lord, it's just, it'll never be. It will never be, Lord, what, what you deserve and what I want to.

[Megan]

Give you, it will never be enough. And I, and I think like being in this space and during, during my, my time away, like the Lord has just really been impressing on me is like, Megan, I am the goal. I'm the thing you're after. I'm it.

[Preston Morrison]

I am the prize.

[Megan]

I'm the prize. And like there is no other better prize, I'm it. And you and I think that there's a self centeredness that we have to be aware of that can creep in in our walk with the Lord because you'll start to do stuff for you and not even think that. You're not even be aware of it. But the more that I'm like in this intimate place with him and he's. And I'm like humbling myself and giving him my heart. Like all right, here you can have my heart and like you can search all the things, the more I'm seeing one who he is. That double knowledge of like you know more about yourself because you know more of him. So I'm seeing who he is and he. And his kindness is exposing some stuff in me. And it's like there's so much of my walk that I've spent selfishly. Like you were doing that for you, not so much for Him. And I feel like the Lord asked me one day during. During our week of consecration and fasting. He was like, you know how God gets you out of something? And you pray that you say, like, lord, if you don't. If you don't do anything else, you know?

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

If you just. If you don't do anything else. I feel like the Lord was like, what if you really live that. What if. What if you actually live that way? What if you actually live.

[Preston Morrison]

I hate those pointed questions like that.

[Megan]

What.

[Preston Morrison]

They are like swords to the soul.

[Megan]

Like, right in my. Like, what if you actually live that? He was like, because let's keep it a buck before you step foot. Before you were placed on this earth. I was deserving of all of it. But when I read his Word and I look at his, like, his history, I'm just like, you're deserving of all of it, regardless. If you do anything personally for me and his kindness, he always does because he's God. And he's like. He's just generous like that perfectly. But you know what I mean? It's like, you are deserving. You're the prize.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

And I feel like we're getting. I just. I don't. I want to be a voice that. An additional voice that advocates for that. Like, he's the prize, you guys. Not the car, not the platform, not the. The influence, not the man, not the marriage, not the generational wealth.

[Preston Morrison]

None of the things.

[Megan]

None of the things. If you are not seeing him as the prize, you're missing it. And you're living a selfish. Like a selfish version of Christianity, because at the end of the day, he's the prize.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah. This is why I think it's so beautiful that night when Jesus in the upper room takes the bread in the cup. The disciples not even having a full understanding real time of what Jesus was doing with that third cup of Passover. It's amazingly brilliant to me that Jesus would say in the midst of this is my body, which is broken for you. He's saying, I'm giving you the best gift anyone's ever gonna give you in your entire life. Okay. He could have just stopped there. What does he say after? Every time you do this, remember me. I'm the prize.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I mean, he is giving the most beautiful gift. And even in the midst of it, he says, preston me. Yeah, it's me. It's not just my body being broken and not just my blood. While those are eternally theologically significant in and for your life relationally, remember me. Remember My why don't just remember what I did, Remember me and why I did what I did. I think this helps us stay out of becoming mindless robots and keeps us relationally, intimately connected to him, where everything we do is not just unto him.

[Megan]

It is for him.

[Preston Morrison]

There's a difference between doing, taking out the trash and my wife says, hey, will you grab the trash and put it out in the cul de sac? Okay, great. It's another thing if I take out the trash, go to the whole house and find I got three teenagers, well, 22 year old and two teenagers and a six year old. So we got some, we got some stuff laying around in hidden places. It's one thing to just take the trash out when she asks. Okay, that's just an act, let's just call it of obedience. But beautiful sacrifice is the night before trash morning. I go through the whole house with trash sacks, cleaning up everybody's messes. Don't say a word. She's off at church doing her class and I'm asleep when she comes home. I filled up the trash to overflowing. This is a beautiful sacrifice because when I think about her, I am always more motivated to do more than what is asked of me.

[Megan]

Yes.

[Preston Morrison]

But when I forget about her, I am rarely even willing to do what.

[Megan]

Is asked of me. That's so good. That's so good and so helpful because I think that again, I just think that we live in a culture in a context where we're centering ourselves too much in everything. We want convenience, we want quick gratification, right? This is why social media, Amazon prime, right? We want every now, give it to me now. And I think I was talking to my friend about this. It's like I think that we have taken the culture of that and we've placed it into the context of our faith and we want it now. I want it now. And I was in this space too where I was like, yeah, like I want you to fix me now. I want to be matured now. I don't want to go through this process. I don't want to go through, you know, I want it now. And the Lord is like, yeah, that's about you. That's not about me. Yeah, that's not about, that's not about me.

[Preston Morrison]

That's, that's all you fleshly Christianity happens in a microwave. Biblical Christianity can only happen in a crock pot, slow cook, slow cook, nothing. Yeah, but it's always going to taste better.

[Megan]

Always.

[Preston Morrison]

And you put something in a microwave, you lose the Nutrients.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

You don't get the full nutritional value of a meal.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That is put in a microwave.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

You put that thing in a crock pot, you're going to get every nutrient that is in that meal.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

This is how God is with us. Preston, I want you to get every morsel.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

From this lesson.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And so this lesson is going to take you eight months. Lord, can you please do it in eight minutes?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Like, can we just go up to my room and. And you just away from the people. Just do surgery. Do it deep. Let's get it over with. And he goes, I could, but it wouldn't have the lasting impact on your life.

[Megan]

Nope.

[Preston Morrison]

That eight months of surgery.

[Megan]

Yep.

[Preston Morrison]

Will have.

[Megan]

That's because it's the character that it.

[Preston Morrison]

It is.

[Megan]

He's looking to, again, make you holy and to mature our character.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

So that, like, I feel like that this was one thing that the Lord really impressed on me when I'm complaining about him and his timing. There's two things. He was like, how long did it take you to give me a serious. Yes? I was like, 34 years. He's like, okay, I was patient with you.

[Preston Morrison]

So great.

[Megan]

I was patient with you. I was patient with what was already mine. Right. Like, you got this twisted. You thought that you created you, or I created you for you, but you're mine. I created you for me. And I was still patient and I was still loving, and I was still gracious, and I was still merciful. Right. You're not going to rush this. You're. You're going to be patient with me. You're going to be patient with my timing. You're going to be patient with my process. This is me now. Because when you said yes, you said yes to me and said no to you. So this is how we're going to do things now in the most loving way. But it cut. It was like, no, I was patient with you. I loved you. I was. And. And I still am, and I still will be. But you are going to learn how to be patient, because where I am taking you, if I gave you this microwave, cooked, whatever, your character wouldn't be able to sustain it. Where I'm taking you. It.

[Unknown]

You.

[Megan]

You would. You would be just like. And we sit there and we talk about the Israelites, like, oh, I can't believe they were done. You'd be just like them.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

You would forget.

[Preston Morrison]

Right?

[Megan]

You would forget. And it's like, we have to endure the timing of God and the process of what he had. Like, and how he's developing us because of what it produces in us. And it's like, I rather have character than have something that is fleeting.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Or something that won't last. Like, I'd rather have his. His nature, his character, his. You know, I just rather have him. And I just want. I don't want people to think that you can get this quick sanctification.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

You know, it's just not realistic.

[Preston Morrison]

One of, I believe the best gifts God gives us is whenever he goes the slow way.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

When I was younger, I always wanted the fastest route. Let's just get there as quickly as possible. And when man moves too quickly, man always crashes. When God moves slowly, he always gets what he wants. And I have learned it is the slow path through the wilderness where God does his best work in my life. And a trip that should have lasted. The Israelites, it should have taken two years max. Took them 40. And I know part of it was punishment from lack of belief. I get that. But it was also a divine setup. 40 years of a resume of God's faithfulness.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Preston Morrison]

So that when he took them in to start occupying the land of the promise and they were going to have to fight, it wasn't just two years, 24 months. It was four decades of quail, of manna, of water, when there was none in the middle of the desert. 40 years of confidence in God. The faithfulness of God builds man's trust in God.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And that is something built over a long period of time.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

This is why he loves to go the slow way. Because if we fast forwarded on onto the height of the mountain, quote, unquote, that God wants to take us, we went the fast way. And he'd go, okay, now I need you to jump off of the top of this mountain to that other mountain over there.

[Megan]

I'd be like, crazy.

[Preston Morrison]

You lost your mind. But if we went the slow way and it took 40 years and I had had to jump multiple times and we get to the biggest jump I've ever made, and he goes, okay, now it's time to jump. I'm going to go. You've been faithful.

[Megan]

Every other time you've helped, you've helped.

[Preston Morrison]

I got 128 jumps already because we went the slow way. But if we fast forward, I only get in one or two jumps and get to the biggest jump he ever asked me to make. I'm probably not going to make that jump. My flesh is going to go, that's not possible.

[Megan]

Correct.

[Preston Morrison]

But if I have seen 128 moments, miraculous moments of God's faithfulness and power. I'm making that jump. I don't care if I have a parachute.

[Megan]

I'm making that jump every time. Because your confidence is not in you.

[Preston Morrison]

That's a hundred percent. I have seen his faithfulness, man. When the waters of the sea parted, I couldn't do that, man. And I can't make this jump. But partnering with him, I know his power in me is capable. If that is his will for my life. And I've been tearing this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I've been tearing this apart lately for people because they're like that means I can do anything, anything I want to do, as long as I believe Jesus.

[Megan]

Can do it wrong for sure wrong.

[Preston Morrison]

Anything. According to the perfect will of the Father, I can do by the power of Jesus, with the divine enablement of the Holy Spirit at work within me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

If he wants me to make that jump, I can make that jump.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And when I've gone the long way and we've made all of the slight increase of a jump here and here and here, when he says, hey, I need you to make the scariest jump you've ever made in your life, I just go, are you with me? I am. Is this what you want? It is.

[Megan]

I'm jumping, then I'm doing it. Easy as. Yes.

[Preston Morrison]

The shortcut will never teach you that kind of trust.

[Megan]

And again, I think that that's. It makes it hard. When we do live in a culture that everything is the shortcut. Right. We have kids that are millionaires just because they propped up their phones.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Right. We have that. That never took a class, never went to school, never, you know, and there's, there's nothing wrong with that. But I think that if we, if we constantly engulf ourselves with that type of mentality and we try to project that context onto our walk with the Lord, we'll be wildly disappointed.

[Preston Morrison]

All of life never works the way one area of life works.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

So imagine it like this. So for the who, it's amazing. If a young person picked up their phone and. And they're making seven figures, God's blessing, it. That's incredible. But to think that's the way the rest of life works because one area of your life works that way, you will be severely disappointed. That would be like if I'm the CEO of a company and I come home to my wife and I expect to be able to tell her what to do the way I might have to In a work environment.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

How's that going to go?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

My wife's going to look at me and go, I'm sorry, sir.

[Megan]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

We are doing this together.

[Megan]

Right.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

You are not my boss.

[Megan]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

All of life never works the way one area of life works.

[Unknown]

That's good.

[Preston Morrison]

So I think we've got to be mindful.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That you just can't take that one thing and make that the lens for your whole life. Well, everything should be this easy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Because it's a shortcut. No. It's a divine enablement.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

God's hand is on it, and that's why it's bringing him glory the way that it is. But just because this is moving quickly. What I've learned, when something is moving supernaturally quickly an area of my life, it is not uncommon for 12 other areas of my life to be moving excruciatingly slowly.

[Megan]

Bro.

[Preston Morrison]

This is how he does it, to remind us. It's. It's not that one thing.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Life is a process filled with many paths.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

And again, God is never going to create a life for you where he's not necessary.

[Preston Morrison]

100.

[Megan]

If everything is easy.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

If everything just goes, he's not necessary. And again, losing the point of this whole thing, it's him.

[Preston Morrison]

Right.

[Megan]

And so everything, like I was going through, I was going through things and the Lord was like, oh, so you want everything to be perfect. He's like, you want the finances, your kids, health, you don't want to go through. Like you want every. Look around it. It really isn't that bad.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

I've blessed you in so many ways and you're complaining about this little bit of friction or this little bit of. You know what I mean? And I think it's because, again, we have to learn how to start anticipating hard things and not thinking that because now I walk with the Lord, I should not have hardship in my life. We need to start anticipating.

[Preston Morrison]

It comes down to expectations. I talk about this a lot. I have since I was a young adult pastor years ago. One of the Achilles heels of many believers is ungodly expectations.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I expect everything's going to be going like this at this season of life. Everything's going to be good here, good here, good here. And if you go back, I think it's 2 Kings 5. Naaman is a man who gets sick with a terrible disease. And he has an expectation that the second he talks to God's man, he's going to be miraculously healed and it's going to Be. And none of it goes the way he expected. And because it didn't go the way he expected, he almost bolts from the very thing he wanted most. Healing because it didn't happen the way he wanted. How many people do we know that are almost ready to bolt on their healing because it isn't happening the way they expected it to go? And their expectation is actually not a godly one. What can we expect as Christ followers? Jesus said, in this life you will have trouble. Yep, I can expect it.

[Megan]

Yep.

[Preston Morrison]

That's something I can. That's a godly expectation. How about this? I will never leave you or forsake you. I can expect that. I can expect the promises of God. He promised he would never leave me or forsake me.

[Megan]

Yep.

[Preston Morrison]

So he didn't promise that everything would be awesome for me all the time, but he promised even in the valley.

[Megan]

Yeah, I will be with you.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

When my expectation is Him.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I'm never going to be disappointed.

[Megan]

Yeah, never.

[Preston Morrison]

But when my expectation is all of it, I'm going to be so bitter.

[Megan]

And disappointed every time. This was the promise that I am standing on. And that I think is helpful for everyone. Right. Especially when you can have an expectation that there's going to be trouble. But then you can also have an expectation of God's promise. Right. And this is Psalms 37, where it says, trust in the Lord and do what is good. Dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and this is the part. And he will act. At the end of the day, I am going to trust that God is God, that his word is never going to return to him void. And I have a promise that no matter what the circumstances, he will act.

[Preston Morrison]

Listen to the gangster way the NKJV gives verse three. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness. Feed on his faithfulness.

[Megan]

It's like, it's the. It's. For me at least it's learning how to take what sounds simple and make it like. Stop trying to. For me at least I need to stop trying to skip the simple things.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Do you know what I mean?

[Preston Morrison]

Oh, yeah.

[Megan]

You haven't even done. You haven't even been faithful over that. Over trusting in him. You know what I'm saying? Like, you want God to do what he like his promise. Right. His part. You want it like that. And I'm not even faithful Right. Over my part. Trusting in him dwelling, committing my way to him. I'm so inconsistent in that. But I want his part to be done like this.

[Preston Morrison]

Hurry up, God, and make the promise. Come to God.

[Megan]

Are you kidding me?

[Preston Morrison]

And he goes, let's slow roll our way through learning to trust me and commit all your ways to me.

[Megan]

Cause it's always when, then. When you trust when you commit so great, then he'll act. It's always when, then. But we just want the then.

[Preston Morrison]

We want then when. And that's an ultimatum.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

God, if you'll do the promise come to pass part first, then.

[Megan]

Then I'll do that.

[Preston Morrison]

I'll do the when. And he goes, that's not how it works.

[Megan]

I don't do ultimatums because I'm him. This is.

[Unknown]

This is.

[Megan]

This is mine. Right. And so that's one thing that has just, like, been rocking me. One thing that you said on your podcast that. That hit me like a ton of bricks is you were talking about the seven ways of thinking the negative thoughts. Yeah, I definitely hit all seven. I'm not gonna hold you.

[Preston Morrison]

I think we all have.

[Megan]

I was like, dang, bro. And you weren't. You were like, you might have one. Maybe you have all seven. I was like, as you got to six, I was like, man, I hope seven I don't have. And I did. I have all seven negative patterns of thinking. But you said a heart makes a dangerous brain.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah, it's. It's true. I think, you know, the way we say it in modern day is, you know, they're in their feelings.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And it's a negative way we describe someone that is essentially, they've turned their heart into their brain. But the Bible is really clear. This is not the way. Yeah, this will lead to folly, frustration, even unfaithfulness, because my heart is wicked. It's being perfected. I get pushback when I teach on this. Some people say, well, I got a new heart at salvation. I say, you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. There's no doubt about that. But the things you have navigated in your life, even in the new heart, they're still affecting your heart. And so past trauma. It's not as though when someone gets saved, everything in their old heart is gone for sure. No, you have a new heart, which means God supernaturally gives you a new way to deal with old things. But I can't be led by my heart, because my heart is often wrong. But if I submit it to him, he helps me dig in the soil of my heart. And see, here's what I would say when you say, I deal with all seven, you can look at that negatively. I look at it positively and go, I love how aware you are. To whatever extent. You're not saying all seven are my Achilles heel, you're saying in some way, shape or form. Each of these has presented difficulty in my life.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That's awareness. I never get concerned when someone is aware where they're not as healthy as they want to be. I get concerned when someone has no idea where they are.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That. That is very scary for me.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

When I'm counseling somebody if they don't know where they are. If someone hits me up in the DMS and they're like, hey, this is where I'm at. I love it. I celebrate it. And oftentimes they're lamenting it. This. This is confession. This is health. Being aware of where you are. I say this all the time, Holly and I have a saying, it's okay no matter where you are today. Just don't be in that exact same place tomorrow.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Do something about it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

So I think when we talk about the heart and the brain, God never created us to be led by our hearts. There's a way that seems right unto man, but in the end, it leads to death. What is that way? It often involves the flesh and. Or the heart.

[Megan]

That's so good. Two questions. What do you feel like is a helpful way to be mindful, like, have awareness, but not be self condemning? Because that's always my. My struggle, which, you know, like, I am very aware of myself, but also extremely hard on myself. And I feel like the Lord has been convicting me more of that because he's like, you're. Like, you're. You're attacking the one that I love.

[Preston Morrison]

That's exactly right.

[Megan]

You know, And I don't think that we see ourselves in that way because it's us. You know, but it's like.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

You can be like, you're the weapon formed against you. You can be the weapon formed against yourself by the way that you allow yourself to think about you.

[Preston Morrison]

And you'll find a way to make that weapon prosper.

[Megan]

Okay.

[Preston Morrison]

Prosperity.

[Megan]

Sure.

[Preston Morrison]

Except sometimes the one.

[Megan]

The one that. That I use on myself. Yeah. So how can we live in a space.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Where we are. We have healthy. Introspective. You know, we can be healthy. Healthy in that and be aware of who we are and where we are. Right. Especially the more that you spend time with the Lord. Again, he's gonna expose some things. He's not He's. He's honest. He's not gonna say. He's not that, like, parent that's like, everything my child does is perfect. And everything that my child does is right. No, he's. He loves you. And so he's gonna point out some stuff where it's like, I want you to be better at that. I want you to grow up.

[Preston Morrison]

The closer I get to him, the more it's gonna change about me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

That. That's just a given.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Okay. But here's what I would say in answer to the specific question. This is the way the Lord taught me to do it because I used to be my inner judge. So therapist will often. Your inner critic. Your inner judge. Well, my inner critic back in the day was legendarily loud.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

No one was harder on me than me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And there is some good in that because it drives you. It keeps you to go, keep going and taking the hill. But what I learned is it's often more bad than good. For me, at least it was. And I remember the day when my daughter was younger and this little beautiful blonde hair, blue eye, little china doll of a baby, just to me, perfect in every way. And she's like 4 years old. Delicate as a spring flower. Okay. One word with a certain tone out of my mouth at 4 years old, I could make that little girl crumble. And I remember one day I was being really, really hard on myself. And I remember the Lord saying, would you ever allow anyone to talk to your 4 year old little girl like you were talking to yourself right now? And I said, of course not. But she's four and I'm in my late 20s.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Like I can handle it. And I felt the Lord go, the four year old, you cannot. Preston, I don't ever want you talking to you in a manner you would not talk to your 4 year old little girl.

[Megan]

That's good.

[Preston Morrison]

Now, having said that, as her daddy, part of my responsibility when she was younger was helping her become the woman God created her to be. And that involves tweaking and coaching and correction. So I'm not saying none of that.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

But there's a way to do that that is encouraging and exciting and inspiring to grow.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

But I wasn't talking to myself like that.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I was beating the fire out of myself. And I think that moment, and then there was another one. And one morning in our alone time, I was just beating myself up and I go in to pray. And my mind, my mouth is praying, but my mind and my heart are just brow Beating myself. And the Lord just. He breaks in and he stops me. And in anger is the way it felt. It was this righteous anger. And I'll never forget, he goes, stop it now. It was like that, like it arrested me. And I said, stop what? And I just felt the Lord say, you will not talk to someone I died for like that. And I mean, I wept.

[Megan]

Jesus.

[Preston Morrison]

I lost it, Megan. I literally lost it. This is why I love correction. Because so many times what I would have thought was painful was the most beautiful thing that's happened in my life. Life.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I was. I didn't even know how badly I was treating myself.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And he got in my way.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

He stopped me from beating me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And said, don't you dare ever do that again.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And I'm telling you, since that morning.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I. I may be a little hard on myself, trying to hold myself to a higher standard. I don't know that I've ever browbeat myself the way I used to.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Since that morning.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Between the picture of my little girl and then the clear correction from him.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I just. I think the fine line is when a healthy self awareness causes me to look more like Jesus and to become more of who he created me to be.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

It's healthy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

But when it causes me to retreat, to feel disappointed in myself.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

This is not his desire.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

You know.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

It's a. Hey, I'm making you look more like me. That's gonna involve constant correction.

[Megan]

Yep.

[Preston Morrison]

But it doesn't have to involve condemnation. There's therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

[Megan]

Yes.

[Preston Morrison]

So, Preston, I will let you be convicted by me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

But I will not allow you to be condemned by you.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

That's so good. And what is those? What are those? Taking inventory of what those thoughts are producing.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Is it producing more shame?

[Preston Morrison]

So great. Yeah.

[Megan]

Is it like you said, is it producing more isolation? Is it producing more guilt?

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

More condemnation. Like though. Then you got to get away from those thoughts. You have to think the way that. That the Lord, like God, give me your thoughts of me.

[Preston Morrison]

Right. Right. So a practical way, thinking about when I know the truth about me somewhere where I'm a little weaker in an area of my life than I should be. There are two ways to look at that. One is to beat myself up and go, come on. Yeah, bro, you should be better than this. And it causes me to create a little distance between me and the Lord because I feel shame. I don't deserve today to go in, Lord.

[Megan]

Genesis 3. Was that Genesis 3? Genesis 4. They hiding. You immediately want to hide.

[Preston Morrison]

I was afraid, so I hid. The other way to look at it is when I become aware of areas of my life where I'm not yet as much like Jesus as I want to be. When it motivates me to move closer to him and say, lord, I'm struggling in this area. And he says, I can help you with that.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And here's what's beautiful about his help. It's not some magic wand he waves.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Which sometimes that's what we want. His favorite way I'm convinced to help is to do it with us.

[Megan]

Yes.

[Preston Morrison]

He says to the disciples, some of my favorite words in the New Testament, when Jesus says to his disciples, let's go. Let us go to the other side. In other words, there's somewhere I want to go with you. Let's go there together.

[Megan]

Let's go together.

[Preston Morrison]

And even though there was a storm that didn't matter, we're going to go through it together.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

My favorite words to hear him say oftentimes are, hey, you're bringing me this part of your life that there's an area of weakness. There's something I want to do together.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I'm going to make you look more like me.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

And you don't have to do it alone. I'm with you. I can't.

[Preston Morrison]

That's right. And I don't want to.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

A healthy self awareness draws me closer to God.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Megan]

That's good. Before we get out of here, I am interested in just observing the things that we've seen. I'm curious if you kind of recognize it too, in the last couple of years how there's been this increase of Christian content. People are just like, the Lord is drawing so many people to himself in different ways. And I love it. You know, I don't, I don't know. I said this to my, my friend. I was like, I don't know if we would have had an Acts 2:42 conference in the way that we did with 7,000 people if the Lord wasn't drawing people in the way that he is, in the timing that he's doing it. And I'm encouraged by it. And I, and I love it. But I also want to be an advocate for, for serious Christianity, like I told you. And commitment to the narrow way like that. Scripture has kept coming to me.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

Because I often, or not often, but sometimes I know how serious I can be. And so I again, my, my own inner critic. I'm like, sometimes you're doing too much. Maybe that's not that deep. You see all these other people, like, they're. They. They're chilling. Like, they're not. It's not. You don't have to be that intense. You don't have. You could just. You know, I kind of. There have been times where I've compared myself to what else is out there, and it's like, you don't have to be that deep. You don't have to. But the Lord kept bringing up to me, you know, narrow is the way, and few find it.

[Preston Morrison]

Right.

[Megan]

Few. And I want to be an advocate for that. Like, I want to be an. I want this platform to be for those who want to commit to the narrow way.

[Preston Morrison]

Right.

[Megan]

And what does that. What does that mean, the narrow way? What does that mean? That Scripture just blares in my mind all the time. Few find it. Narrow is the way. Few find it. What does that. What does a life on the narrow path look like?

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah. Well, first part of what you're addressing, with all of the Christian content out there, that question. Here's what I would say. I think we need to celebrate obedience more than ambition. So I don't think, you know, Christian content is inherently evil.

[Megan]

Right.

[Preston Morrison]

For sure. And people putting themselves out there. If we celebrate obedience and if what we do is in obedience, God's going to be in it, his hand's going to be on it, and he's going to use it. So we celebrate that because it brings in more glory. But anything I do in ambition, God will not anoint, and therefore he will not get glory for something I do in my flesh.

[Unknown]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

I might get credit, but he won't get glory.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Both cannot be true. Either I get credit or God gets glory. It's one or the other. If I'm doing what I do in obedience, he'll always get the glory because he asked for it to be done.

[Megan]

Correct.

[Preston Morrison]

And everything he asked for is to bring himself more glory. If I do it in ambition, I might get some credit and I might be esteemed by man, but I will not be anointed by God, nor will I be bringing in glory. So there's that component. And I think to answer the, what does the narrow path look like, you keying in on the word living, the phrase living sacrifice. If someone asked me, grab me on the street and said, what does it look like to walk on the narrow path? I would literally point them. I'm not just saying this because it's your passage for the Year, I would say when you become a living sacrifice.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

This is the way.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Jesus was the embodiment of sacrificial love.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And this is the call on every Christ follower.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

To lay my life down.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

In the same manner the one who laid his life down for me did for me.

[Megan]

That's so good.

[Preston Morrison]

So I think that's the fastest way, but practically going back to kind of some of what we covered in the beginning of the episode, it often involves doing things his way. Often means I'm rarely doing them my way. And so I think getting a clear picture in every season of life, in every area of life. Lord, what do you want?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

What do you want, Lord?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And we're not talking about, where do you want me to eat lunch today.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

We're talking about, Lord, in this season with my teenagers, what do you want from me? What. What are the responsibilities you want me to carry?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

What are the things you don't want me to carry?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

What are the words you want me to say? What are the words you don't want me to say?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

What are the boundaries you want me to put? Lord, my life is yours.

[Megan]

Yep. Whatever you want.

[Preston Morrison]

So tell me what you want, and I will give you whatever you want.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

The narrow way has less room for me and my flesh. Why is the wide way wide? Because the flesh is a wide load. But his spirit at work in me is lean and mean and can fit on the narrowest of paths.

[Megan]

That's good. That's good. I really appreciate you being here. I hope you come back more and more. You live very far, but I hope you come back more and more. I want you to just pray just for those who are watching. I think there are so many. Like, again, I think there's so many different types of people that watch this podcast, and I'm so grateful for that. Like, I'm just very, very honored that the Lord has allowed me to have a platform that speaks to so many different type of people. Like, I. I really am honored by that. And like I told you, there are some who have grown up in church their whole lives and maybe walked away, and now they're coming back. And then there are some who are coming to the Lord for the first time. And, you know, there are some who watch that still aren't sure.

[Preston Morrison]

Yeah.

[Megan]

You know, I don't. I don't. I don't know if this is the way. I don't know if this is if Jesus is the only way. I'm not really ready to Let go of the other things that I. That bring me satisfaction or, you know. So I want you to pray for, for those who are watching. But then also if there's. I do journal prompts at the end. I love journaling, as you know. And what would be like a good journal prompt for them to kind of help them process all the things that they've heard throughout our conversation. So, yeah, Journal prompt. And then you can pray.

[Preston Morrison]

Okay. So before the journal prompt and. And the prayer, let me say as we wrap up how proud of you I am.

[Megan]

Thanks.

[Preston Morrison]

And let me tell you why. To watch the Lord take you higher and for you with determination to see you go lower. You never know when you're going to see somebody. I haven't seen you in a while.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

And you don't know what you're going to see. Since I saw you last. A lot of amazing things have transpired in your life. A lot of godly things have taken place in your life.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

A lot of success has come, new success into your life. To see that as he exalts you, and that is biblical. When we humble ourselves, he lifts us up to wherever he wants to see him take you higher and to encounter your determination to go lower. So I just want to say if there's any part of you that's afraid of falling off of the ledge, you shouldn't be. As long as you retain this determined, stubborn, in a godly way. Stubborn determination to go lower into the cave. Megan, we cannot fall when we crawl on our face before the Lord.

[Megan]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

Everything that is happening is God's hand on your life, and you know it. You're not taking credit. The fact that you're wrestling with some things before the Lord. The potential for pride, and it's beautiful and it's his protection. So I, I, since I met you, I've never been more proud than I am right now. And it isn't because of what everyone sees. It's because of all the things I know you were doing and that depth of that cave that no one is seeing. But this is the way. So I'm so proud for you. Okay.

[Megan]

Thanks.

[Preston Morrison]

Journal prompt. Here's what I would say. An awesome journal prompt would be at the top of the page to write, lord, my biggest fears about being a living sacrifice for you are. And then write all the things that come out of your heart. I'm afraid I'm going to have to be without financial resource. I'm afraid I'm going to have to jump when I don't have a parachute. Whatever they are, and then spend some time talking with the Lord about what's on your list. These are how we overcome the hurdles that we're afraid of. We get honest with the Lord about them. And perfect love casts out all fear.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

The problem is perfect love does not cast out all fear. When I don't bring my fears to.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Preston Morrison]

The one who is perfect and is love.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Megan]

That's awesome. That's good. Okay, guys, that's your journal prompt for. For this week. That's a good one. I'm gonna have to, because, I mean, no matter where you are in your.

[Preston Morrison]

Walk, it doesn't matter where, it doesn't.

[Megan]

Matter what season, it's like you're always afraid of sacrificing something. So just be honest. Yeah, I think that's good. That's awesome. Thank you for being here. V would be so kind. Listen, you guys make sure. I'm just gonna let him pray us out of this episode, but make sure you. You follow Preston. I know you are. If you've been in totality Follower, you already know. You already know Preston. But if you're new here, make sure you follow him and check out his podcast, the Leader's Cut. It is literally, again, one of my favorite podcasts to listen to, and it does cut. So just be prepared. You will. You will get cut, but in the. In the best way. It's like the best surgery that you'll have. And yeah, just thank you. I love you. Thank you for being here.

[Preston Morrison]

Always fun. Yeah, and I'd love to pray. Spirit of the living God, you are so perfect in all of your ways. You are so gracious, especially when we are ungracious with ourselves. You are so loving when we are not as loving of ourselves. You're so patient with us, especially when we are impatient. We just slow everything down for a moment and we tell you, I don't want to live my life without you. I don't want to know what one second of being apart from you is like. I want to chase you all the days of my life. I want to see new sides of you no one has ever been allowed to see before. Spirit of the living God, would you grab the hand and heart of every person watching this or listening to this right now? Would you grab them by the hand and whisk them away into an all new journey deeper into the cave as a living sacrifice, doing things your way, not theirs? Would you strengthen them where there's weakness? Would you bring peace, indescribable peace where there is presently fear? Holy Spirit, I pray you would be so tangibly present wherever they are right now that they wouldn't have words to describe it. Render them speechless with your manifest presence. I pray that you'd give them eyes to see and ears to hear the wonderful truths in your word. I pray for holy moments in the secret place when they're alone with you, Holy Spirit, wreck them and draw nearer to them than they've ever experienced before in their lives. Thank you for promising never to leave them or forsake them. And as they fall asleep tonight, may they remember you stand over their bed and will be staring at them all night long. And as David said, and when they awaken, you'll still be standing there staring at them. May they be overwhelmed with and in your love at all times, in all things, in all areas of their lives. It is in Christ's mighty and matchless name I pray these things. Amen.

[Megan]

Amen. What's up you guys? I hope you enjoyed this episode. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you felt encouraged in some way. Be sure to like and follow into Tality Podcast everywhere you listen to your favorite shows. Follow into Tality on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and be sure to turn on your post notifications so that you can be the first to listen whenever there's a new episode.