I am currently in Kolkata, India. It’s the 7th largest city in the world. It is loud, dirty, busy, crowded and full of Hinduism and spiritual darkness.
When I first went on the Race, I chose my specific route because it had India for one of the countries. It was one that I looked forward to the most and now it is the country I have been to the most (besides Canada and US). It is my 3rd time here and I love it!
Something I wanted to share with you is a closeup look into my journey with God.
My whole life I have been on a journey of getting to know God more. I went from wanting to know ABOUT Him, to actually wanting to KNOW HIM. I grew up in a Christian home and believed in God since I was basically born. I understood from a young age that Jesus died on a cross for my sins so that I can spend an eternity with Him in Heaven. To me, Heaven was the PRIZE. But the more I’ve gotten to know God, I know that He is the TRUE PRIZE.
I was told my whole life that it wasn’t about religion, it’s about RELATIONSHIP. But nobody really showed me exactly what that looked like so a lot of my journey was figuring it out on my own. People taught me about God, but not so much how to personally KNOW HIM.
I have seen this so much among Christians around the world and something I am passionate about is helping people hear God so they can know Him, not just know about Him. Jesus tells us that many will come to Him on that day having done a lot of good things for the Kingdom of God, but will tell them plainly, “Depart from Me, I never knew you”. To me that’s one of the saddest verses in the Bible. People doing awesome things for God and in His name, but never really knowing the One they are doing it for.
So over the years I have began to know God more by spending time with Him in conversation. He tells us that His sheep hear His voice. I have learned to talk to Him like I would a friend compared to a boss or master. He encourages me, rebukes me, tells me about my future, talks about my friends and the gold inside of them, and so much more! It’s always a good time when I meet with Him!
Lately God has been speaking to me that I am ACCEPTED by Him. I’ve known this truth for a while, but it is beginning to actually sink down into my heart.
When a person truly knows they are accepted by God, there is no fear. God is perfect love and perfect love casts out all fear. When we know we are wrapped/covered by His goodness and love, we walk in a security that is nothing but Heavenly. We don’t fear what man thinks. Even if everyone in the world rejects us, we know that our Father doesn’t and we will be okay.
Jesus lived in this reality. Everyone left Him on the night he was betrayed. But He was still secure in His Fathers love and carried out the mission to the very end. If Jesus feared man, He wouldn’t have made it even close to the cross. Thank God He was safe in the Fathers love and knew He was accepted by Him!
For me, I have had a fear of man and a fear of failure my whole life. God was showing me lately that I had this because I never knew that I was accepted by Him. This is my reality, but I have never known it in my heart to be true. It’s an amazing thing when head knowledge becomes heart knowledge and changes us from the inside out. God is doing this work in me and I am becoming more comfortable with myself, with friends and with strangers.
God has given me a passion to disciple and to evangelize. It’s hard to talk to strangers, tell them about Jesus and pray for them if you are fearful of failing or of what they might think of you. I’m talking back what the enemy has stolen and I know God will redeem the years lost!
I am accepted by the God of this universe. He loves me because He loves me because He loves me. I am accepted not by what I have done, but simply by being Jordan.
God also accepts you for who you are, not by your works or deeds. No amount of good works can make Him Love you more and no amount of sin can make Him love you less. He accepts you for you.
If this has spoken to you in any way, I’d love to know what you got out of it.
If you know of anyone else who needs to hear this, send it their way!
