I’m hopeful.
Being on the world race has taught me one thing. And that is how to be
okay with not knowing what’s to come. How to remain constant in an ever
changing environment. Constant in the hope I have. This hope that can never
disappoint or lead me astray. Going into month 11 on the world race creates an
inevitable thought process at times. Thoughts of life back home and thoughts of
life in the future. What next? How can my life still be adventure filled and
amazing after traveling the world for nearly a year? Was this my peak? It’s
easy to get caught up in negativity. It’s easy to let negativity consume and
push hope out the window.
But I’ve
learned that it is crucial to cling to God’s promises; especially during major
life transitions. To me, HOPE= SECURITY. Security in the idea that I won’t be
left hanging in life outside of the world race. Secure that God has not brought
me this far to stop providing and leading. In Hebrews it says, “We have this
hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” And it’s so exact. God has
promised us hope to firmly plant us in this world. The only thing he asks of us
is for our faith. To trust that he will not go back on his word. To trust that
we will be okay. Regardless of pain. Because when pain hits us it’s hard to see
through it. Pain lingers. And it becomes even harder to remember God’s
goodness. When trials come, the primary challenge is to choose joy in the midst
of pain. Joy that couples with peace to go beyond anything we could ever
fathom. There is still restoration. God is still a rebuilder of ancient ruins
and of things long devastated. He wants to mend; to heal. God is still enough
for me and still enough for you. And I know as much as it hurts to endure
through pain, I wouldn’t need God if I didn’t experience pain.
Secure in his
grasp
God is strong and can help you not fall. Jude 24
“You and I are on a great climb. The
wall is high, and the stakes are higher. You took your first step the day you
confessed Christ as the Son of God. He gave you his harness-the Holy Spirit. IN
your hands he placed a rope-his WORD.
Your first steps were confident
and strong, but with the journey came weariness, and with the height came fear.
You lost your footing. You lost your focus. You lost your grip, and you fell.
For a moment, which seemed like forever, you tumbled wildly. Out of control.
Out of self-control. Disoriented. Dislodged. Falling.
But then the rope tightened, and
the tumble ceased. You hung in the harness and found it to be strong. You
grasped the rope and found it to be true. And though you can’t see your guide,
you know him. You know he is strong. You know he is able to keep you from
falling.”
(Max Lucado) Grace for the Moment.
“I will praise the
Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord
always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest
secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your
Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill
me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”Psalm
16
