There have been times when I’ve believed otherwise: Goliath was too big, I was too small, the mountains I trudged around just would not budge, each link in the chains that squeezed, well, they held pretty strong. When Perseverance was what was called for…Discouragement came along.

Then I heard our pastor ask one day, “Is God Really Enough?” With the Peace of the answer, ‘yes’ tucked safely in place, I found it rearranged a lot of other stuff. Now when and as I glance about, all I can see is The Cross. Now when and as the dark presses in, all I can sense is His love.

“I’ve loved you the way My Father has loved Me. Make yourself at home in My love. If you keep My commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in My love. That’s what I’ve done — kept My Father’s commands and made myself at home in His love.” John 15:9-10 MSG

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that My joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.” John 15:11 MSG

“When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, I was ignorant and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward You. Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:21-26 HCSB

I set up this reminder in honor of the Father of Lights; a visual note to myself to elevate God’s wisdom above all else…regardless of whether or not I understand all the whys or why nots. He owns the blueprint, the vision and design. My job is simply to seek His face, Breathe and relax; trust Him to work out what’s best. To roll with what comes; He’s gifted the Keys to His Kingdom. The joy of knowing Him and being rooted in His love and acceptance are the very things, now, that have come to make all the difference!

“Do not yield to fear, for I AM always near. Never turn your gaze from Me, for I AM your faithful GOD. I WILL infuse you with My strength and help you in every situation. I WILL hold you firmly with My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 TPT

“…never forget that I AM with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”
Matthew 28:20 TPT

I think the part I’ve had the hardest time with is:

“I will never leave nor forsake you!”

Using my mom’s words, “You had a really rough beginning. Look how it was for me; for years I was carrying some really ugly and terrible baggage. Your dad was like Jesus to me. He never gave up but kept welcoming me back and loving me.”

We’ve all wrangled with the lies in our lives, even as Christ so lovingly pursues and exemplifies.

This is the book our Life Group at church is doing this semester. How blessed I am to be a part of this thriving collective! We’re all learning to live and grow in God’s love! Jesus Christ claims the status of perfection; we can but cling to the beauty of being forgiven!

“This is what the LORD says: They found favor in the wilderness — the people who survived the sword. When Israel went to find rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt…You will take up your tambourines again and go out in joyful dancing. You will plant vineyards again on the mountains of Samaria; therefore planters will plant and will enjoy the fruit. For there will be a day when watchmen will call out in the hill country of Ephraim, “Get up, let’s go up to Zion, to Yahweh our God!” Jeremiah 31:2-6 HCSB

This was at the heart of the prayer spoken over each of us before parting last night:

God bless you, dear friends, as you go about your day; rest assured each of your times is held secure and kept safe in His hands. May you have eyes to see Yah’s Art at every crossroad and turn, and in so seeing, may you hear the roar of a lion! The Mighty Lion of Judah, whose Breath now fills your lungs…surrounds, dwells within, flows thru and empowers you…all for the cause of Christ…
in Jesus’ name…

Amen!