fear |fi(ə)r|
noun
an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone.
I crossed a huge bridge today. I just felt like I really wanted to share and encourage you with it.
My whole life I've ached and longed to live a life that was pure and humble before God. I purposefully said no to a lot of things out of fear and out of a longing to preserve my own heart for Him. There were certain clothes that I would never wear, things I would never say, choices I refused to make. But somehow, like a lot of things that we do, I completely overcorrected-swinging entirely too hard and in many cases falling flat on my back.
I have come to realize that in my attempt to remain in a constant state of openness to God I have kind of forgotten how to live. I've lost a lot of understanding how to express myself, and how to be who I am for fear of doing something that wouldn't be holy. I've realized that I've so internalized everything that I've forgotten that it was Him who made me and longs to reveal me to the world. What started out as a pure longing in my heart actually trapped my personality inside of me, which is never God's intent.
Today I recognized that I've been so afraid to truly be me, that I've passed myself off as introverted in many cases where I was just simply afraid of how I would be received/perceived. But most of all, I've realized that I was afraid of failure. I've longed to be set in front of God and seen as pure, as right before Him to the point where I've done absolutely nothing because I don't want to 'mess up' and deal with the consequences. In so many cases, too many than I would like to admit, I have been the man in the Parable who simply goes and buries his talents in the field, not so much because I thought God was an angry, harsh man, but because I didn't want to lose that one talent I had, I didn't want to misuse it, and I certainly didn't want any attention if I would actually succeed with it. I have rendered myself useless for the title of 'purity.' I have not trusted that God's grace is sufficient for the times when I step out and it really wasn't Him telling me to do so.
But today, I also decided to walk over the bridge into a deeper understanding of what trust really is. Trust is knowing how to risk, and no longer fearing failure. You see, as many of you know I recently moved my whole life to California. I've still in many ways been waiting to see the exact purposes in this move. And yet, I still had this fear of failing. It wasn't so much that I didn't know how God would handle the failure, but rather how I would handle it. You see, much pride comes along with years of 'remaining pure' in your own eyes. If this is sounding like I'm beating myself up, it's not, I've just realized that I finally am able to say with confidence that whether what I say or do is a complete success or a complete failure, I know who my God is, and I know where my heart is...as I am not longer bound by this fear of failing any longer. It's so incredibly freeing to be able to lay something this huge down at His feet. To realize a wrong mindset, to recognize His hand in bringing you through it and to choose to leave it behind accepting His counsel in teaching you the right mindset is something that should happen on a regular occurrence for every believer.
So good grief. Enough of being afraid already. At least for me. What are you afraid of? For me it was failure, of pride, and also of success. But, I have now replaced that with trusting that He knows my heart no matter what I say or do.
"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not fear and do not be dismayed.'" Joshua 8:1a
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
The Irresistible Relationship
There's just something about this season approaching Easter that always impacts me more than any other season during the year. The cross beckons me to reflect on Jesus' extravagance and also on my own need for Him. I always end up going through major transformations because of new understandings of who He is. Last night Grace was that thing that left me undone.
"Grace still unseen. So very much still unknown. Still very much uncovered. Grace ready to meet every need. Still waiting to be unveiled. Grace that is beyond sufficient for all of your needs. Grace that breaks every barrier of known extravagance. Grace that awaits your action; to meet every situation you step out, step up, and into. Extravagance in every sense of the word, and in every nonsensical-sense of the word; that's what His grace is.
He is the divine romancer. He romances in all ways. In every way that we can imagine and cannot imagine, He is ours. He is not just sufficient to meet our emotional needs, all of our physical needs. He is made to meet those because He has hand-crafted me, He has hand-crafted you. He knows me inside and out. Every part of me. He meets all needs and becomes the center of every longing. So come woo me, great lover. 'Come run with me on the mountainsides, come frolic with me on the plains, splash with me in the rivers.'
When I look in to the eyes of fullness, how can I look anywhere else? How can I look at Him, the perfect one, and see anything incomplete? How can I look into completion and feel lack? I can't run from Him. When I turn to look, He's right there with me. I can't remain silent, for His great love beckons me to an irresistible relationship. I just can't do it. I can't resist Him. He pursues too hard. He loves far too well. He gave up everything so that we could be together. He gave up everything and carried all of my sins so that I could have a place beside Him. He gave it all, carried my sins and continued to come after me even when I denied Him so that we could be friends, closer than friends.
Even when I slammed the door. Even when I opened the door and denied His input. Even when I let Him in, and then kicked Him out. Even when I cheated, blatantly ignoring and betraying Him. Even when I pretended not to hear Him knocking, still He loved me unconditionally, still He loved you. Still He knocked. Still He went to the cross for me; the most wretched of them all.
And still He makes me white as snow. Still He looks at me and sees what He can make me. Still, He looks at me and sees who I was, who I really am, and who I will be.
So why do we hide? Why do we fear to come to this romancer so much? Why do we run away from the Hope of Nations? Why do we fight against the one who is the very Author and Perfecter of our faith? I wonder, why do I over-complicate with fear, doubt and unbelief something that He has already fixed? Something that He has set right?
The cross is too active for me to be stuck in a rut of denying its work in my whole life, every part of me. I long to, from this day on, never deny God the access. To instead, turn into the cross...to die with Him so that I may have life abundantly with Him. To have fullness of joy and direct access to His presence. That's what He died to give me, so why would I deny Him anything less?"
Grace. I'm learning it in so many new and more powerful ways in this season. It's never what you expect, but it's always more than sufficient. I'm so thankful, and so amazed at just how sufficient He is. I pray that in this season especially as we approach Easter that you will allow His arms of grace to wrap around you wherever you are. Look into His eyes and be overwhelmed at who He is.
Love and Blessings,
Lara
"Grace still unseen. So very much still unknown. Still very much uncovered. Grace ready to meet every need. Still waiting to be unveiled. Grace that is beyond sufficient for all of your needs. Grace that breaks every barrier of known extravagance. Grace that awaits your action; to meet every situation you step out, step up, and into. Extravagance in every sense of the word, and in every nonsensical-sense of the word; that's what His grace is.
He is the divine romancer. He romances in all ways. In every way that we can imagine and cannot imagine, He is ours. He is not just sufficient to meet our emotional needs, all of our physical needs. He is made to meet those because He has hand-crafted me, He has hand-crafted you. He knows me inside and out. Every part of me. He meets all needs and becomes the center of every longing. So come woo me, great lover. 'Come run with me on the mountainsides, come frolic with me on the plains, splash with me in the rivers.'
When I look in to the eyes of fullness, how can I look anywhere else? How can I look at Him, the perfect one, and see anything incomplete? How can I look into completion and feel lack? I can't run from Him. When I turn to look, He's right there with me. I can't remain silent, for His great love beckons me to an irresistible relationship. I just can't do it. I can't resist Him. He pursues too hard. He loves far too well. He gave up everything so that we could be together. He gave up everything and carried all of my sins so that I could have a place beside Him. He gave it all, carried my sins and continued to come after me even when I denied Him so that we could be friends, closer than friends.
Even when I slammed the door. Even when I opened the door and denied His input. Even when I let Him in, and then kicked Him out. Even when I cheated, blatantly ignoring and betraying Him. Even when I pretended not to hear Him knocking, still He loved me unconditionally, still He loved you. Still He knocked. Still He went to the cross for me; the most wretched of them all.
And still He makes me white as snow. Still He looks at me and sees what He can make me. Still, He looks at me and sees who I was, who I really am, and who I will be.
So why do we hide? Why do we fear to come to this romancer so much? Why do we run away from the Hope of Nations? Why do we fight against the one who is the very Author and Perfecter of our faith? I wonder, why do I over-complicate with fear, doubt and unbelief something that He has already fixed? Something that He has set right?
The cross is too active for me to be stuck in a rut of denying its work in my whole life, every part of me. I long to, from this day on, never deny God the access. To instead, turn into the cross...to die with Him so that I may have life abundantly with Him. To have fullness of joy and direct access to His presence. That's what He died to give me, so why would I deny Him anything less?"
Grace. I'm learning it in so many new and more powerful ways in this season. It's never what you expect, but it's always more than sufficient. I'm so thankful, and so amazed at just how sufficient He is. I pray that in this season especially as we approach Easter that you will allow His arms of grace to wrap around you wherever you are. Look into His eyes and be overwhelmed at who He is.
Love and Blessings,
Lara
Thursday, March 15, 2012
New Music!
This past week I had the honor of going to Los Angeles to visit my very good friend Jessica. It's been almost a year since I've seen her and now that I live within driving distance it seemed silly to wait until both of our lives get even busier to wait to go and see her.
One morning when she was at work I finally had the chance to sit down and work on some of the many songs that have been rolling around my head for the past few months. I got a few almost completed and just had an amazing time of worshipping in my favorite way...me and a piano.
I can't wait to see what can and will happen when I finally have a place that's made for me to be able to write and create the way that God's intended me to. It will be great fun to see what will come from there. But for now...here is a little taste of a song that I worked on there.
Sorry about the quality. It's not the best, nor the sound but here it is nonetheless. I hope you enjoy it! (It's still really awkward for me to post stuff like this)
One morning when she was at work I finally had the chance to sit down and work on some of the many songs that have been rolling around my head for the past few months. I got a few almost completed and just had an amazing time of worshipping in my favorite way...me and a piano.
I can't wait to see what can and will happen when I finally have a place that's made for me to be able to write and create the way that God's intended me to. It will be great fun to see what will come from there. But for now...here is a little taste of a song that I worked on there.
Sorry about the quality. It's not the best, nor the sound but here it is nonetheless. I hope you enjoy it! (It's still really awkward for me to post stuff like this)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Strictly an Update...I think.
Hello! For the benefit of those who love me and wants to know what's going on I am going to try my VERY hardest to make this strictly an update of my life. Key word? TRY. :)
Things are going really well here. Though I haven't gotten a whole lot of immediate direction for life here, God has been pouring things into me that I know will one day be significant. After a few weeks of feel extremely unsettled, unsure, and a little alone I am really starting to fully appreciate this season. It's amazing how when you appreciate something, you can begin to anticipate what God will do more fully. It's been an intense season of God removing wrong mindsets, heart motives, and anything else that I had planted there without His permission. It's been a time where He has taught me more than I've learned almost my whole life combined. It's been a season where, honestly, I've felt that He's been drawing out all of the poison from parts of my heart that I didn't know I had. All so that He can lay a new foundation and begin to build things in my heart that I will need for my future ministry, career, marriage and just life in general.
I'm so incredibly thankful for this time in my life. This time of not knowing. This time of openness before the Lord. This time of honestly being able to say, "God, if you don't show up. I will fail." I know that it's because of this time right here, that I will be able to face the hard circumstances and know that God will show up.
So just some updates:
-I work at Target Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 am. I've been so blessed thus far to have a job and am super thankful that I haven't just slept right on through my alarms. :) Things are going well, and I am learning of many new Health and beauty products that I never knew existed. If you need some advice I will probably know of what Target has at least! :)
-I am starting to look around for other jobs. Please pray for favor, or for new ideas for a source of extra income. If you have any ideas of things I could be doing, I'd greatly accept them! :)
-We are in full-out planning mode for Ireland!! Our trip isn't until May but we've been having fun researching and pulling information and praying. Each week we pick a different location that we feel that God's highlighted to us, and we research the history and ask God what He wants to do in that place. It's been amazing to dream and imagine of all God wants to do for His people there. And for people that are there that aren't His...yet. We've had so, SO many words about this trip. They are beyond us, and yet we know that God has chosen us for this specific time and place and we can't wait to get started there!
-Along those line, we would appreciate your prayers for finances to come in. It will roughly be about $1500 a person with air-fare and hotels and such. Jim, Brenda, Kim and I would appreciate if you would pray that that money would come in so that that's the last thing on our mind when we are planning all that we think God is leading us to do in Ireland. If you want more information on this, or would like to give for this trip specifically email me at larahochstetler@gmail.com.
-I have begun the search for an apartment. Still not much news on that front. It seems that my searching skills aren't all they're cracked up to be. Please pray for wisdom and discernment on this front as I don't know what I'll even exactly be doing here, that would help as well as another income to feel secure in that new payment every month.
-Next week I'll be traveling south to visit one of my best friends in L.A. We both figured that before our lives got too crazy we wanted to see each other and now that we're within driving distance there really isn't any excuse not to. I leave this Saturday after work for 5 days. I'm looking forward to having some time with her and her family whom I've barely met. Also looking forward to having some time with a notebook and a piano!! Perhaps there will be some new music up at some point? Not promising anything. Also just very excited to be in a place where so much entertainment comes out of. Praying about what prophetic acts to do there. Should be exciting.
So...that's my life in a nutshell. Still praying and believing about connections here with new friends, people for the future...a husband...you know, the usual. ;) Sometimes it's hard being away from everything that's safe and known but if you're like me, you grow more when the safety is taken away. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Excited for all that March holds. I know it's a lot and it's very good. Hope you're excited too!!
Thank you all for being such a huge part of my life. I'm so thankful for each of you in ways that you'll never comprehend here on earth. Some of you have literally kept me alive in the past few years of my life. Thankfully, your reward is greater than what I can give you. :)
Things are going really well here. Though I haven't gotten a whole lot of immediate direction for life here, God has been pouring things into me that I know will one day be significant. After a few weeks of feel extremely unsettled, unsure, and a little alone I am really starting to fully appreciate this season. It's amazing how when you appreciate something, you can begin to anticipate what God will do more fully. It's been an intense season of God removing wrong mindsets, heart motives, and anything else that I had planted there without His permission. It's been a time where He has taught me more than I've learned almost my whole life combined. It's been a season where, honestly, I've felt that He's been drawing out all of the poison from parts of my heart that I didn't know I had. All so that He can lay a new foundation and begin to build things in my heart that I will need for my future ministry, career, marriage and just life in general.
I'm so incredibly thankful for this time in my life. This time of not knowing. This time of openness before the Lord. This time of honestly being able to say, "God, if you don't show up. I will fail." I know that it's because of this time right here, that I will be able to face the hard circumstances and know that God will show up.
So just some updates:
-I work at Target Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 am. I've been so blessed thus far to have a job and am super thankful that I haven't just slept right on through my alarms. :) Things are going well, and I am learning of many new Health and beauty products that I never knew existed. If you need some advice I will probably know of what Target has at least! :)
-I am starting to look around for other jobs. Please pray for favor, or for new ideas for a source of extra income. If you have any ideas of things I could be doing, I'd greatly accept them! :)
-We are in full-out planning mode for Ireland!! Our trip isn't until May but we've been having fun researching and pulling information and praying. Each week we pick a different location that we feel that God's highlighted to us, and we research the history and ask God what He wants to do in that place. It's been amazing to dream and imagine of all God wants to do for His people there. And for people that are there that aren't His...yet. We've had so, SO many words about this trip. They are beyond us, and yet we know that God has chosen us for this specific time and place and we can't wait to get started there!
-Along those line, we would appreciate your prayers for finances to come in. It will roughly be about $1500 a person with air-fare and hotels and such. Jim, Brenda, Kim and I would appreciate if you would pray that that money would come in so that that's the last thing on our mind when we are planning all that we think God is leading us to do in Ireland. If you want more information on this, or would like to give for this trip specifically email me at larahochstetler@gmail.com.
-I have begun the search for an apartment. Still not much news on that front. It seems that my searching skills aren't all they're cracked up to be. Please pray for wisdom and discernment on this front as I don't know what I'll even exactly be doing here, that would help as well as another income to feel secure in that new payment every month.
-Next week I'll be traveling south to visit one of my best friends in L.A. We both figured that before our lives got too crazy we wanted to see each other and now that we're within driving distance there really isn't any excuse not to. I leave this Saturday after work for 5 days. I'm looking forward to having some time with her and her family whom I've barely met. Also looking forward to having some time with a notebook and a piano!! Perhaps there will be some new music up at some point? Not promising anything. Also just very excited to be in a place where so much entertainment comes out of. Praying about what prophetic acts to do there. Should be exciting.
So...that's my life in a nutshell. Still praying and believing about connections here with new friends, people for the future...a husband...you know, the usual. ;) Sometimes it's hard being away from everything that's safe and known but if you're like me, you grow more when the safety is taken away. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Excited for all that March holds. I know it's a lot and it's very good. Hope you're excited too!!
Thank you all for being such a huge part of my life. I'm so thankful for each of you in ways that you'll never comprehend here on earth. Some of you have literally kept me alive in the past few years of my life. Thankfully, your reward is greater than what I can give you. :)
-el-
This is my church. The place that challenges me more than I've ever been challenged and inspires me more than I've ever been inspired.
It's still so strange to see things in full bloom. The trees are amazing especially.
The view on my walk to day...simply amazing.
We went on a hike Saturday. It was SO nice outside. Actually, dare I say it, HOT.
It was a balmy 70 degrees today.
But..sometimes when I get off work, it's a little cold.
I got a package in the mail today from one of the coolest little cousins in the whole world. I laughed out loud that my last name was Schrock. I actually quite loved it.
New music today from some of my favorites made today almost perfect. Love it. Love it. Love it. Go buy it. NOW.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tension: Coming to the Full Understanding that He is Enough.
March. In some ways I cannot believe that it's already here. In some ways I can. There have been moments when I feel my life flashing by me, and me not knowing how to slow it down. I think this comes from entering into a season when you have little control over things that are directly effecting your life. Then there are other moments that seem to make life drag on forever. Tension is one of them.
Tension. The word that seems to be defining my life at the moment. Almost there, not there yet. Almost, but not quite. Here, but not fully arrived. Tension. We all have it to a certain capacity, but this one word is defining almost every area of my life. Some good tension, from God that's drawing out the gold. Other tensions, are things I need to take care of-situations that are not yet resolved. All, when resolved, will bring much glory to God.
I must apologize, because the last post and the beginning of this one have kind of been Debbie Downers. Some of you that know me must think I'm in a sad rut. But I'm not! My life since being here, has been amazing. God has been taking every single little thing that doesn't belong out of my heart. Things I didn't even know were hidden there, he's been drawing them out. Like drawing poison out of wounds. So naturally there's been discomfort in that. And naturally when you take someone out of the places that have always been safe for them, discomfort ensues.
But I'm so thankful. It's because of the times of hard pressure and shaping that we grow. It's a lot of times in the pain that we realize His strength and the strength He's gifted to us. It's in the times of intense pressure when you realize what's actually important to you, and what doesn't matter as much. It's in the times of uncertainty when you see that which is certain.
For me, this time of learning has taught me one thing more than anything else: He IS enough. It's something I've known in my head for as long as I can remember. But now I know it. I'm living in it. He's enough even when I feel directionless. He's enough even when I feel alone and ostracised. He's enough even when the money doesn't agree with the longings in my heart to give extravagantly. He's enough when I cannot come up with ideas. He's enough when times are good and He's enough when times are bad. Even when I do not feel it, and everything within me is crying out for connections and for more, He is enough. And He holds all the answers.
This God that we serve. He's the only thing that can fill the depths of our hearts that cry out for the things that we need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."
This has forever been one of the things that I have strived to do. I've realized more in the last 2 months, though, that one without the other is absolutely incomplete. And each of us gets caught up on certain things. For me, I have no problem trusting in the Lord with all my heart. I give like no one's looking. I go when He asks because my heart trusts Him. But dang, I've realized that I lean on my own understandings sometimes more than my heart trusts in Him. And if He holds all of the answers, why is it my default setting to try to figure things out on my own?
As all of you know, I'm needing to find a place to live here in the next couple of weeks. Things like this are WAY out of my gifting. Some of you are rolling your eyes because it would be such a simple task for you. Get on the phone. Delegate. Negotiate. Done. This isn't me or my personality. I've realized that looking at the whole situation I've been doing it through my own scope and lens. I've been leaning on my own understanding of who I am and also what I think God will do for me. See, not only do I have to find a place, but I need to be coming up with another income to pay for it. There are still parts of my head that keep saying that God will not supernaturally provide. I'm learning more than ever that 'leaning on our own understanding' isn't just leaning on your own knowledge but it's also leaning on looking at things the way God's always done them before. We cannot look into situations and put perspective limitations on the way God wants to work in this situation, right now. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make Your paths straight."
I'm glad that I've finally made it back around to the theme of what this whole blog is supposed to be about. Trust. This is my journey of trying to look at life the way that God does. To learn His unforced rhythms and try to join in. The journey of trust is something that, when in full relationship with Him, teaches us something every day. And oh boy, am I learning.
I love scripture, because there's almost always a promise at the end of a command. I am confident and certain, that God rewards those who are diligently seeking. I look forward to the days when all of the sacrifice and the parts of our hearts we have surrendered begin to be met by Heaven's blessings and an extravagantly loving Father. And as I learned at church on Sunday, I pray that it happens now, and if it doesn't I'll pray it happens now again tomorrow.
I know that so many of you long to have every single part of your lives acknowledge Him and His greatness. And I know that just like He will make my path straight here in Redding, He will make your paths straight for you as well. Do not be tempted to lean on your own understanding. For those of you with wavering hearts, decide today to trust in Him with all of your heart, dismissing fear and doubt. Do not be afraid to ask Him questions. Defy the enemy by acknowledging who He is in every area of your lives. And just wait and see what He does. I know I am.
"His love is worth the wait, the risk. At the end of it all, it's gonna be worth it."
Tension. The word that seems to be defining my life at the moment. Almost there, not there yet. Almost, but not quite. Here, but not fully arrived. Tension. We all have it to a certain capacity, but this one word is defining almost every area of my life. Some good tension, from God that's drawing out the gold. Other tensions, are things I need to take care of-situations that are not yet resolved. All, when resolved, will bring much glory to God.
I must apologize, because the last post and the beginning of this one have kind of been Debbie Downers. Some of you that know me must think I'm in a sad rut. But I'm not! My life since being here, has been amazing. God has been taking every single little thing that doesn't belong out of my heart. Things I didn't even know were hidden there, he's been drawing them out. Like drawing poison out of wounds. So naturally there's been discomfort in that. And naturally when you take someone out of the places that have always been safe for them, discomfort ensues.
But I'm so thankful. It's because of the times of hard pressure and shaping that we grow. It's a lot of times in the pain that we realize His strength and the strength He's gifted to us. It's in the times of intense pressure when you realize what's actually important to you, and what doesn't matter as much. It's in the times of uncertainty when you see that which is certain.
For me, this time of learning has taught me one thing more than anything else: He IS enough. It's something I've known in my head for as long as I can remember. But now I know it. I'm living in it. He's enough even when I feel directionless. He's enough even when I feel alone and ostracised. He's enough even when the money doesn't agree with the longings in my heart to give extravagantly. He's enough when I cannot come up with ideas. He's enough when times are good and He's enough when times are bad. Even when I do not feel it, and everything within me is crying out for connections and for more, He is enough. And He holds all the answers.
This God that we serve. He's the only thing that can fill the depths of our hearts that cry out for the things that we need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."
This has forever been one of the things that I have strived to do. I've realized more in the last 2 months, though, that one without the other is absolutely incomplete. And each of us gets caught up on certain things. For me, I have no problem trusting in the Lord with all my heart. I give like no one's looking. I go when He asks because my heart trusts Him. But dang, I've realized that I lean on my own understandings sometimes more than my heart trusts in Him. And if He holds all of the answers, why is it my default setting to try to figure things out on my own?
As all of you know, I'm needing to find a place to live here in the next couple of weeks. Things like this are WAY out of my gifting. Some of you are rolling your eyes because it would be such a simple task for you. Get on the phone. Delegate. Negotiate. Done. This isn't me or my personality. I've realized that looking at the whole situation I've been doing it through my own scope and lens. I've been leaning on my own understanding of who I am and also what I think God will do for me. See, not only do I have to find a place, but I need to be coming up with another income to pay for it. There are still parts of my head that keep saying that God will not supernaturally provide. I'm learning more than ever that 'leaning on our own understanding' isn't just leaning on your own knowledge but it's also leaning on looking at things the way God's always done them before. We cannot look into situations and put perspective limitations on the way God wants to work in this situation, right now. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make Your paths straight."
I'm glad that I've finally made it back around to the theme of what this whole blog is supposed to be about. Trust. This is my journey of trying to look at life the way that God does. To learn His unforced rhythms and try to join in. The journey of trust is something that, when in full relationship with Him, teaches us something every day. And oh boy, am I learning.
I love scripture, because there's almost always a promise at the end of a command. I am confident and certain, that God rewards those who are diligently seeking. I look forward to the days when all of the sacrifice and the parts of our hearts we have surrendered begin to be met by Heaven's blessings and an extravagantly loving Father. And as I learned at church on Sunday, I pray that it happens now, and if it doesn't I'll pray it happens now again tomorrow.
I know that so many of you long to have every single part of your lives acknowledge Him and His greatness. And I know that just like He will make my path straight here in Redding, He will make your paths straight for you as well. Do not be tempted to lean on your own understanding. For those of you with wavering hearts, decide today to trust in Him with all of your heart, dismissing fear and doubt. Do not be afraid to ask Him questions. Defy the enemy by acknowledging who He is in every area of your lives. And just wait and see what He does. I know I am.
"His love is worth the wait, the risk. At the end of it all, it's gonna be worth it."
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