Last spring I attended an incredible women’s conference called Imagine Me Set Free featuring author and speaker Pat Layton. The overall theme centered around finding peace with the past, purpose in the present, and passion for the future by studying Psalm 139 and seeing who God is and who we are to Him and that each and every one of us has a unique purpose we were each created to fulfill. Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? It was! God spoke so powerfully to me that weekend while I was looking ahead to a storm that was quickly approaching. He told me to keep my eyes on Him…to worship Him…no matter what…even in the wind and waves…and He wouldn’t let me sink. Well…I had to go through that storm…there was no way around it…and Jesus faithfully carried me through as I asked Him to. It was all a part of my journey to become set free from the things I was allowing to have a hold over me.
Just before 2013 came to a close…doubt was knocking at my door as I was looking back over the past several years. I was wondering…if I had just had more faith…was…or is…my faith too small? How quickly I forget what God has done for me when I stop looking up and start looking around. But God showed me that in fact it takes more faith to believe that with Him…I am okay…even if this life isn’t what I would have chosen…even if this life is hard…even though He doesn’t always answer the way I would like Him to. Jesus said it would be hard when He said in John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It takes more faith to believe that I can stand firm in Him and in His Truth even when the miracle comes in a different form…His. After all His way is the best way…immeasurably more.
I started 2014 with a new ray of hope…ready for His clean slate…ready for whatever He leads me to finally not trying to run ahead and figure out where we’re headed. Now that is being set free…more than I could have asked or imagined! Isn’t it marvelous that He makes all things new! Isn’t it glorious that we don’t have to fear! Isn’t it wonderful that we can be set free here and now…even in less than desirable circumstances…even when the answer is “no”…set free right here, right now…not just in eternity! I don’t know about you but I am glad 2013 (and every other year past for that matter) is over and it can be left in the past…not to regret…but to learn from…to be thankful for…and trust that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Happy New Year dear friends!
Wonders of HIS Love 