Together

It was a moment in time, a moment so simple, yet so beautiful and moving that there were tears in my eyes. I was playing with one of my favorite little boys. He was curled up inside a cardboard box pretending to be a baby cicada. A very cute baby cicada :)  But suddenly it just hit me (as it often does), how beautiful a gift it is just to simply be with other people. I'm not even sure how to describe it, but there's just something breathtakingly wonderful and special about being present with someone, especially someone you love. Suddenly the dirty dishes and unswept floor just don't seem quite so important. The worries about tomorrow somehow loosen their grip. I revel in these moments.

I've been learning a lot these last few years about the journey (the pilgrimage). There really can be joy in the journey, if we stop to find it. Sharing life with others, being present, walking together, learning together, encouraging one another, lifting each other up in prayer, bearing one another's burdens, these things all bring joy. We are the body of Christ after all, working together for one great purpose. I'm more grateful than I have words for, to be a part of this body, to know I am far from alone on my journey. It's often difficult in our individualistic society, to really connect with people. But this connection, this community, is one if the greatest gifts Jesus has given us. One which continues through eternity!

But even this great gift pales in comparison to the greatest gift. We have the privilege of a constant companion. One who never leaves our side, never gives up in us, even carries is when we need Him to. I still can't comprehend that the King of the universe would want to be present with me, walk with me! But it's true. He says:

"NEVER will I leave you. NEVER will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, emphasis mine).

Life takes on an incredible sweetness when we walk with Jesus. His mere presence changes everything. Burdens are lighter, fears are banished, and there is joy! Just because He is. I can think of no greater gift than the presence and companionship of Jesus Himself. And He is everything. We need nothing else.

Together, we can face anything. Together, life is sweeter. Together we walk, together we live, together we fight. Thank you Jesus, not alone,

Together

The Moment of Truth

Fear. Pure, raw, fear must have nearly incapacitated the children of Isreal as they stood on the banks of the Red Sea. Why?! they must have cried to Moses. Why are we in this impossible place? The enemy is fast on our heels and there is no way out! We are hemmed in on every side. If God doesn't do something, we will die! It was the moment of truth. Would God indeed deliver them? 

"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV)

God made a way through the impossible. The people were hungry; God sent manna. They were thirsty; He made water gush from a rock. They were under attack, He saved them.Time and again God proved Himself faithful, and able to do what couldn't be done.

Fast forward. The scene is the same: God's people surrounded on all sides. No way of escape. Fear, confusion, uncertainty. Desperation. God! Why have you brought me here!? I've been trying so hard to follow You. What do I do?! How do I escape? Lord, if you don't intervene, I will not survive. The moment of truth: will God come through? Only this time it's you and me in the story. Our battles all look different, but we are all fighting them. The things we trust in might be different, but they all must be ripped away. Not until we come to that place, that place where there is nothing else, no one else, no other hope besides Jesus; only then can we know the answer for ourselves. 

"This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 20:15,17 NIV)

Never forget that Jesus is fighting for you. Never forget the love that motivated Him to give it all. Never forget where your strength lies or where victory comes from. And victory will come. In that moment of truth, that moment when there is only Jesus, we'll find that He is truely more than enough.

"Get going.....I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. .... It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage!...Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take.” (Joshua 1:1-9 MSG)

The Day by Day God

Have you ever read something that seemed like a play-by-play of your own life? Or just read something that makes you want to shout "Exactly! That's it!"? I felt that way this week when I picked up a "random" (God doesn't do random) book at the library. It's a book about coping with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). I certainly haven't been diagnosed with MS, but I do have a precursor condition called MTHFR, and many of the same symptoms.

I still don't really understand how it all works, but the point is that I really identified with the stories in this book. It made me feel validated and not quite so alone in my illness. But it also made me realize that, like it or not, my life is different than it used to be. The future is unclear, but I do know that I can't ever go back and be who I used to be. Sometimes it makes me sad, angry, or overwhelmed. But at other times I feel very hopeful. The symptoms are varied and unpredictable. Most people don't really get it, and I don't know how to explain. But I'm learning that it's important to share with others, even though it can be super hard at times.

I admit, I really wish I wasn't ill, but all the same, I wouldn't trade the beautiful experiences I've had for anything. I've learned about what's really important in life (Jesus and people). I've learned how God's strength is perfect in weakness. How the choices we make each day matter much more than how we feel. I've learned the beauty of true friendship, and what it means to really walk through life with people. I've come to know Jesus in a way that I never even fathomed before ( though I long to know Him much more deeply). I've learned that living is not for the faint of heart, and only Jesus can revive the fainting heart.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26(NIV)

Mostly I'm learning to walk day by day with Jesus, depending on Him for absolutely everything (read that: still a long way to go!). He doesn't mind carrying me, and He is certainly able. His love is unfathomable and unchanging. As His plan unfolds, I pray for the courage and grace to live each new day standing strong on the mighty promises of Jesus: loving others and letting Him work through me. I may fail Him daily (hourly) but He will never EVER fail me!