“Safe? Who said anything about safe? Course he is not safe, but he is good.” – Mr. Beaver (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)
A couple of weeks ago I went to training camp in Gainsville, Georgia where I got to meet the 38 other people I will be doing life with on The World Race for the next 11 months! These 10 days were full of Port-o-Potties, bucket showers, worship, community, laughter, crying, and many hours full of information to help us be successful on the Race.
Through my time in Gainesville I learned that God is most definitely not safe. He will dig into every single part of you, the good, the bad and the UGLY! Nothing is off limits! He called me out on things I didn’t even realize I believed – parts of me I had never seen before but have created barriers and limitations to our relationship. Having God bring these things too light was a hard and humbling process and quite frankly I am still digesting a lot of it.
God did not take it easy on me and because of that I learned just how far I will go in order to not have to depend on other people (including God). I proudly call myself fiercely independent but God showed me how lonely and inhibiting that is to relationships. I learned I don’t like to depend on others because I do not want to be a burden to them and view myself unworthy of peoples time and love. As a result of all of this I find it very hard to be vulnerable which again can lead to being lonely and stunted relationships.
BUT here comes the best part!!
Although God is not safe, HE IS GOOD! He didn’t just reveal these uglies I have been holding onto and then leave. No, God proclaimed truths over my life that far outnumbered each of the lies I have allowed to build up.
Jesus is the most dependable person their ever was.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8
There is no burden too heavy for God to handle and He absolutely does not see me as a burden of any kind. His love covers all sins!
“but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8
God is our creator and knows everything about us, therefore no amount of vulnerability will scare Him off or surprise Him.
“Then God said ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness’” Genesis 1:26
He showed me how strongly He…
Pursues me
Desires me
Cry’s with and for me
Fights for me
Runs after me
Pulls me in
I am thankful God continues to seek me even when I turn from Him.
I am thankful that He loves and cares enough for me to call out my ugly.
I am thankful that He is not safe.
“I feel like Lucy and Susan running into Aslan’s mane when they saw Him come back to life! I am relieved, overjoyed, comforted and peaceful in your presence – in your arms! I have been living life apathetic to who you are God but you are alive! You are moving and overcoming and conquering and loving in BIG ways – today and everyday! THANK YOU for chasing and pursing me as I run from you. God THANK YOU for your perseverance and desire to be in a close relationship with me. You overwhelm me with your love. Don’t stop! Continue to show me who you are. Lets do this life together!!” (My Journal response to what God was teaching me – 8/10/18)
Love y’all,
Martha Sue
**Yes vulnerability is hard. But my goal is for this blog to be authentic to what I am experiencing over the next year – not just the happy, fun, adventurous parts but also the scary, painful, and challenging parts too. This is may not come naturally or all at once, but stick with me and it will be a fun ride. God’s power is always worth sharing!**
