As We Go

Journeying with Jesus doesn’t have to be hard, but we tend to make things more difficult than they need to be. On my personal journey, some days have felt difficult because I’ve made it harder than it needed to be.

Being on this journey with Jesus requires surrender, trust, and faith. We have to let go and allow God to be in control. This has not been easy for me. I have been fighting my instinct to be in control, as a way of protecting myself. Thankfully no matter how many tantrums we throw, God is patient and continues to reorient us. He is teaching me that when I’m stiff-necked and stubborn I am only getting in my own way. Yielding the first time is more beneficial in the long run, even if it's harder for us to do at the moment.

Our father is patient. He doesn’t get tired of repeating Himself until we fully get it.

Our father is committed. He doesn’t give up, even when we feel like giving up.

Our father is loving. He corrects us because he is a good father who cares about His Children.

My journey so far has been swift. I've discovered so much, and now more than ever I'm more aware that there’s so much more to learn. God continues to show me that He operates outside of time. What takes us years, He can do in a moment. We’re only at about the midway point of the year and I have seen God actively working, shifting, breaking down, and rebuilding in so many different areas all at once. 5 months with God has felt like a full year. I can't imagine what He will accomplish by the end of 2023.

The journey has also been scary. It’s not at all instinctual for me to follow a plan I had no part in mapping out, but as I’m walking I’m learning. There is a difference between being fearful, to the point of being paralyzed into stagnancy, and being afraid but still yielding to the scary thing. Even our fears we can submit to the Father and He will not condemn us for being human.

Don’t be thrown by the dichotomy of feelings you may experience. Two truths can coexist. There is joy in sadness. There is a reason to rejoice, while you may be mourning. You can be excited and nervous at the same time. God is still good, even in the midst of the ugliest circumstance. Our feelings are information, not facts. Reflect on them, don’t reject them. Regardless of if they are positive or negative, they have a purpose. Whether you're rejoicing or lamenting, it’s working together for the glory of God and your good.

Romans 8:28 - And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

As I journey I have been reminded ...

1. We do not know what we need. Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

2. We cannot protect ourselves. Psalms 91:14 - "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

3. We are not in control. Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

As we go, we grow. We’re learning how to totally surrender, even the areas we’ve kept under lock and key. We’re learning how to be willing participants instead of children kicking and screaming on our way to the potter's wheel. We're learning maturity in the pruning. It’s not meant to be hard. It’s not meant to be our strength at work. It was never for us to figure it out and present ourselves faultless to Christ. That's His job.

Jude 1:24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

It's Christ who does the work, we partner with Him - but as servants completely dependent on Him. What I love about this journey with Jesus is that He expects us to show up empty-handed. He’s not waiting for us to show up with tools and strategies on how to fix anything. He expects us to need Him. He expects us to ask for help. I love that we get to be picked up and ride shotgun on an all-expense paid trip. God will give you everything you need as you go, just go. This trip is all-inclusive.

Luke 9:3 - He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.

Pray with me -

God, you are the perfect father. You will never abandon us or leave us stranded. Thank you for your endless commitment to us. Thank you for your patience with us as we journey with you. Thank you for redirecting us when we make the wrong turn. Helps us to retire our stubborn ways and learn to fully surrender. May fear never keep us from following wherever you lead us. Give us faith that trusts you when we don't know the next step. Helps us to believe that you will equip, teach, and cover us as we go. You've shown yourself to be a provider. Remind our hearts that we will always have what we need as long as we're with you.

In Jesus' name, amen.