There I stood in the midst of 250 people preparing to embark on the same journey that I took a little over a year ago. Being on “this side” of World Race training camp last week in Georgia was unreal. It in a sense "Brings things full circle."
As I stood there, I couldn’t find that joy and fullness that I have felt so many times before. The past few weeks leading up to this point have been rough for me. Something was wrong, but I couldn’t quite grasp what! What was it? I couldn’t figure it out.
As the Holy Spirit moved and ministered to folks, Noe passed by me. I needed a prayer or something. What was going on and what couldn’t I get?! I asked Noe to pray for me to “get it.” Unsure of what “it” was, nonetheless, he entered the throne room for me.
A good minute or two passed by before Noe said anything really, but when he did, I immediately knew it was from the Lord.
A bit of background information…
One of my favorite memories as a kid happened during the summer and fall. I love this time of year. Growing up, some of my fondest memories were sitting on the porch in the late evening with my Nanny and Pappy. After we set for some time we’d slide inside the house as night fell and turn on “Grand Ole Opry.” There’s just something about it that brings such comfort to me and hits a special place in my heart. There’s nothing like a front porch in the cool evening air spent in a rocking chair, and over the past few weeks for some reason, the Lord keeps bringing this memory back to me, but I wasn’t sure why…
Anyways, here I stood waiting for Noe to say something. Finally, he speaks…
“Dusty, the Lord wants you to know you don’t have to try and be anything other than what He’s created you to be. Be confident in the Man of God He’s made you into. You don’t have to seek it out because you’re ALREADY a Man of God. You just need to recognize it in yourself and the work He’s done in you. You don’t have to do anything. All Jesus wants is for you to be content with Him. Find your joy and fullness in Him. Sit with Him. Sit with Him on the front porch in a rocking chair.”
I immediately started to bawl like a baby. I’ve never even told anybody any of that before, but that evening the Lord revealed it to Noe. Exactly what I needed to hear. However, It didn’t stop there…
I eventually found my way to the back wall, squatted down, and began to pray. Jesus wasn’t done talking…
As I set there humbled, the Lord gave me a vision. I was standing at the front of a walkway leading up to a house. There waited Jesus on the porch. As I stood there, Jesus spotted me, jumped off the porch, and HE RAN TO ME! After a sweet embrace from the Savior, He grabbed me by the hand and led me up the walkway to where 2 rocking chairs awaited us.
Jesus restored my joy and made it clear to me…
Now, my question is… Where's YOUR joy?
Love yall.
