When you are attempting to do something and you try several different ways yet still unsuccessful, do you conclude that there must be a better way? As I continue to grow and mature, I realize that, for me, Jesus is the better way. This life journey is not easy. It has many twists and turns. After I accepted Jesus, I was still initially challenged. However, I decided_with full transparency_my way wasn’t working for me. I know that each of us have the choice of free will. God doesn’t force us to choose Jesus. He asks us to.
The choice is whether to surrender or not. Surrender. your will for His will. God does know that this is a challenge for us. His mercy and grace is there to help us make this choice. The last several years have definitely been a challenge for us all. They have been stressful. I have not been overly stressed, but blessed. I have been concerned, having no anxiety because I knew that God was in control. That is a freedom I keep.
This freedom of not trying to fix everything in my life and trusting God is truly liberating. He has everything in His hands. In concluding, I will note that I understand it is hard to believe in the deity that you cannot physically see. However, you see evidence of Him everywhere. The sun, moon, stars, nature are all a part of Him. The other note is that it takes faith to believe in God and believe God’s Word for your life.
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
As we close on 2022, evaluate where you are. If you need love, purpose, friendship, provision, protection, etc. choose Jesus Christ. God sent His only Son that we might have eternal life as well as life more abundantly here on earth. Everything may not seem differently immediately. However, God is true to His Word. His promises are real and true. Faithfulness is part of His character.
I pray that God will bless you all continually as we venture into the next year, 2023. Prayerfully, I hope that you choose Him for a better you and a better life. We were created to serve and glorify Him.
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to Him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Today I thank God for His mercy, grace and provision. Although the lenses from which I few seemed to be clouded, scratched up, etc., I know that He is faithful. As I listen to Him, I am being obedient to take the day to write, rest and leave things in His hands. I am so grateful. Didn’t have to be here today, literally. And, since my dog experience, this is more real than ever before. Not sure why, but things don’t always hit home until something happens so close to home that it cannot be avoided.
That said, I want to talk about moving forward from the things of this world to the matters of heaven. People are dying senselessly, the crazy presidential race has become a farce regardless of who you want to vote for and making a decent living seems to be a challenge in a class all by itself. (What happened to the middle class?) The Word of God says that things will continually wax worse and worse until Christ returns. Are you prepared? I had to ask myself this serious question. Am I? Are my thoughts consumed with what is going on in the world today or making sure that I am following Christ? This is not about not caring for people in this world. This is about being ready. I know many of you know about the Left Behind novels and what that means Scripturally. While this point may seem irrelevant or invalid to some, the question to ask is if it is true, will you be left behind? If it is not true, no loss.
