Faith is standing firm during the chaos, and you are planted with your feet on solid ground. Faith is willing to be mocked and ridiculed, knowing the reason why you cannot be shaken. Jesus warns us of these things and says to rejoice (Matthew 5:10-12). They crucified Him. What do you think would happen to His followers. Is the servant greater than his master? (John 13:16) Faith knows you have been planted and believing without any doubt at all the Truth.

My walk with God has not been a pretty one. When the Word says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), He ain’t joking. When it says chastening is not pleasant at the time, but you will reap righteousness later (Hebrews 12:11)… #thestruggleisreal. The first time I read that verse, I laughed out loud. I can testify of all these things that this is real life. Surrender. The battle of flesh vs. spirit. Every time I read scripture, I am so grateful I’m not the only one. One of the most comforting things I ever read was when Jacob literally wrestled with God. Paul writes in Romans that he does the things He doesn’t want to do and doesn’t do the things he wants to do… “SAY IT A LITTLE LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!”

One night while I was praying, it hit me that yesterday is over. It’s done. What’s happened before doesn’t matter. What happens ahead God already sees it.

We don’t always understand what God is doing in our lives. He knows exactly what will make us pay attention, though, right? I have learned instead of being overwhelmed when things come up to say, “Ok, we are here, God. What are you teaching me?”. Instead of focusing on the circumstance, it’s much more profitable to focus on God. He uses those things to draw us close and teach us.

You’re not the same person when you come out of the storm as you went in.

That’s what the storm is all about.

We are made stronger in the fire, and He is with us in it like in the book of Daniel.

I am here today, which recalls Matthew 6 that states it is not for me to worry. Worrying, crying, or having panic attacks doesn’t change a thing, but God changes us. When we are begging God to change our circumstances, he sometimes changes our hearts in the midst of chaos.

And when you choose to surrender and stop all the fighting, God whispers and speaks:
“Now that you will listen and have calmed down I will show you…”
“We can stay here as long as you want…”

He treats us just like a child in time out.

When I thought I was alone and didn’t know where to turn, God kept me for Himself. While my life seemed to be spiraling out of control, He was planting His Word in my heart. At the right time, He brings us out of isolation when He knows He has us, and He sets us free to spread what we have learned like wildfire. You cannot contain the fire in your heart.

“FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK.  FOR THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH: AS IT IS WRITTEN, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” – ROMANS 1:16-17

When someone plants a seed, it’s in the dark and is buried in the soil. Water and light have to appear for it to grow. But, first, the seed has to split open, and the whole original piece has to be shaken and broken apart. Roots are forming.

It can’t stay in the shell, for a sprout has to breakthrough. For that to happen, it stays in the dark for a long time. But, just because you do not see anything on the outside doesn’t mean there aren’t insane things happening underneath. A new creation is springing forth. A new heart is being created. A transformation is taking place. But, it all happens in secret, dark place where light and water have to get in.

Jesus is the light of the world and the living water. He pours Himself out for us. He wants us. He takes these hearts of stone, the seeds with hard outer shells that nobody can open, and He cracks them. He creates brand new masterpieces and creatures out of something that some would throw away.

It’s such a hard thing to feel buried, but when the roots have taken and the sprout bursts through the soil, there’s nothing except to shout the glory of God and how good He is.

But, what about those people we shout our excitement too, and it bounces off like a brick wall?

We are supposed to wipe the dust from our feet and move on. Do not cast your pearls before swine.

It’s much easier said than done because we know the road ahead for them as Christians. We see the destruction that we were rescued from. It is not our work, but His. We can only share.

Free will. We were all given a measure of faith. It can be discouraging when we pray for someone’s eyes to open and heart to soften, but there is no reception at all. You can plead with them and tell them all the goodness of Christ and this joy and the new life you have, but if they choose to be blind, then let them be.

I believe in miracles. I do.

I’ve seen them. I’ve read the parables of the mustard seed and the prodigal son. He left the 99 for me. I am the sheep that went astray, and He came to get me. I’ve read about the thief on the cross and have realized we all are that guy. There is salvation for anyone who believes and calls upon the name of Jesus no matter where they are in their lives.

I’ve read the gospels and had sighs of relief in how you don’t have to be perfect. Grace is a gift. Jesus ate with the sinners, the poor, the broken, and the lost. He didn’t eat with the Pharisees and hypocrites. He healed the sick. He called people where they were.

He doesn’t want your perfect or best.

He wants your mess.  He wants your ashes.  He wants you as you are.

When you can’t take another step, He wants you.

When you have nothing to give, He wants to give you everything.  He wants you.  He loves you.

When you can’t find the words to say and all you have are a broken heart and a bucket of tears…. He wants you.

He knows the number of hairs on your head and knows what you need before you even ask.  He cares about you and wants a relationship with you.

He wants you just as you are.

There is nothing that can shake Him or surprise Him.  He knew you before the foundation of the world.

“FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, [39] NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.” – ROMANS 8:38-39

“Known” – Tauren Wells YouTube Link

“It’s so unusual it’s frightening.
You see right through the mess inside me and you call me out to pull me in.
You tell me I can start again and I don’t need to keep on hiding.

It’s so like You to keep pursuing…
It’s so like me to go astray.
But You guard my heart with Your truth…
A kind of love that’s bullet proof and I surrender to Your kindness.

I’m fully known and loved by You.
You won’t let go no matter what I do.
And it’s not one or the other:
It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace to be known …fully known and loved by You

I’m fully known and loved by You…”