Last week there was a women’s connect night at my church, and I just wasn’t really feeling it. I didn’t want to go, I just wanted to stay at home and not deal with anyone. But thankfully I had invited my mom earlier in the week, so I decided not to disappoint her, and I went. And I am so glad I did! The speaker spoke about her own personal struggles, and at the end referred to a time when she literally ran in the rain and met God! I was really inspired by her story, but I just went about my week and didn’t think much more about it.
I am a people pleaser. I try not to be, but the human side of me usually wins out when it comes to pleasing others. This week was tough. The type of week where all you want is to hear from God, but you hear nothing. The type of week that just drains everything you have. “Come to me, and rest in my peace.” That was the first sentence of my devotions on a day where I felt lost. The devotion referred to catering to others expectations can leave you feeling enslaved and exhausted, and can leave you feeling distant from God. Wow! Philippians 4:7 was the verse to reference, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
I felt better, but still didn’t have complete peace. I decided to go for a run, which usually helps clear my mind. I got ready, grabbed my earphones, and headed outside. I just bought these awesome running headphones, and when I went to start my music…the one side didn’t work! I was annoyed, thinking of course this is just what I need, one more bad thing to add to my week. I decided to go anyways, and just listen to my music with one side working. I was on my way home, when it started to pour rain! I started to think, what else could go wrong?! I was about to put my headphones away, but remembered they were broken anyway, so I decided to just leave them on. “Fix my Eyes” by For King and Country began to play. The message I had heard the week before about running in the rain instantly came to mind. It hit me all at once. It felt like God was speaking directly to me. “Fix your eyes on Me, Sherese. Stop worrying about pleasing others, and focus on Me.” It was amazing! The peace I had been desiring all week finally poured over me, just like the rain.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
