Walking Forward

How is your walk with God doing? Hang with me for a minute. Are you actively pursuing God yet feeling beyond distant from your King? Has your heart been shattered? Are you in need of a resurrection?

I’m sitting on the beach hearing every wave crash onto the shore. People are swimming and are obviously drawn to consistency. Instead of living like we know our Daddy owns the sea, I feel like we are wandering around unsure of taking all the promises we have been given.

Since we can’t see Jesus in the flesh, we often question how close He is to us. We compare our walks with Him to how intimate the walks are He has with others.

Jesus is for you.

It would be so annoying to constantly display love for someone only for them to keep doubting if they are really loved by you. You and I do that with God. How many of you could raise your hand to agree you don’t feel worthy of God’s love?

We look at God’s love as if it is an aquarium. We observe it but never fully dive in it. We are curious, but don’t always ask God the deep questions we have.

I have never seen God in person with my eyes, my friend, but I can assure you of His existence and goodness.

I’ve been pretty blown away the past two days thinking of God intervening in my life without me specifically asking Him to. Let me explain. Five years ago, I knew Jesus but was struggling to cut off all ties with being like the world. I was pulled down by some ungodly weights. While at FUGE camp in the mountains of North Carolina, I felt the pursuit of God’s love. I didn’t even know all the words to pray to see Jesus move. I wanted Him, and He knew that. 

There is a pursuit that God has for each and every one of us. He pursues you. You don’t always have to let Him know you are interested for Jesus to make Himself known to you.

God is our Father. A good Father who is not only interested in blessing us. He is a true Dad who delights in discipling us. Jesus died for us taking and bearing the pain we would have to carry if it wasn’t for Him. God does not delight in our pain. He sees purpose in discipline. Maybe your plans have fallen through recently. You feel like you have no direction for the future. You can’t currently see past this rut.

Look up. The pressure is not on you.

How do you connect best with those closest to you? For me, I have to have communication and quality time. I love a lot of communication (aka deep talks.) Do whatever your love language is with Jesus. He isn’t an alien that you have to talk to through Morse code.

I know God isn’t physically standing there with you, but He IS moving around you in a million ways whether you can see them or not.

God was working for your good and His glory in that relationship that didn’t work out. There is a reason bigger than you can see for your friends ditching you last weekend.

God protects His people. I challenge you to look for Jesus today. You aren’t the only one sitting somewhere wondering where He is at in all of this.

The Lord makes our crooked paths straight. He leads us along the right paths for His Name’s sake and righteousness. 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)

With the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, He made a way for us to be one with Him.

God lives inside of you, brother or sister, You aren’t perfect and neither am I. Do you know what we are though?

LOVED

CHERISHED

TREASURED

PURSUED

REDEEMED

GIFTED

UNIQUE

VALUED

SEEN

HEARD

ADORED

CHOSEN

CALLED TO BE SET APART

We must choose holiness over being like the world. The best IS yet to come. God isn’t done with you. You don’t just have access to God’s Presence when things seem all together. God is glorified in our weaknesses. Ask Him to show you His strength. Let Him be the One to radiate through you.

In God, we have already received the greatest Love we will ever receive. It’s not second best or just average.

Are you ready to join me for a challenge? Let’s seek our Father’s heart knowing we already have His acceptance and approval. We can seek Him when we have failed knowing He has already sought and is still seeking us. Communicate with Jesus in whatever way you love best. God is for you, sweet friend. The devil’s lies and guilt trips have got to go! 

You are loved for all eternity, and I pray we start to believe it.

With love,

Haley