I’m in my last 10 days of the race! Holy smokes. I haven’t been posting much because we’ve been working with refugees the past couple of months. I’ve wanted to be sensitive to them and their stories. So here is a blog of my growth this year. I’ll maybe do one more blog to wrap this year up.
Other people’s faith got me on the World Race. Specifically, my parent’s and grandparent’s daily prayers. Our faith interrupts Jesus in Heaven. When we worship and pray to God, it captures His attention and causes Him to move.
Proverbs 15:29- The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
By the grace of God, He listened to my family’s prayers over my life. My dad prays for my siblings and I that we would genuinely like and love Jesus. I have been overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God and His people. I am reaping the benefits of people’s prayers. All of those prayers were surrounding the walls I put up around my heart for years. I finally broke down a wall this year and grace poured in.
Revelation 3:20- “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
God has used friends and mentors on the Race to lead me to the feet of Jesus. But none of them can pick up my cross. None of them can lose my life for me. The rest is up to me. I have to join the fight. I have to stand up and leave my life of sin and selfishness.
Matthew 16:24-25- Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whosever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
My biggest obstacle was believing that losing my life would really help me find my life. I believed that I knew best and it was my privilege to do what I wanted.
Where did that get me? Pain, hurt, and depression.
Then, I invited Jesus in this year. The funny thing is that you can’t really just dip your toe in the water of grace. It’s a leap of faith. I sunk deep into love, forgiveness, and hope. How could I ever go back? No turning back.
Luke 9:62- Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” (The Message translation)
To experience this freedom, it was more than worth it to lay down my life for Jesus. He is officially in charge of every day for the rest of my life. I will now follow Holy Spirit’s direction. My old trusts are gone. No more fear, lust, manipulation, lying. Those things lead to death.
Galatians 5:24- Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
I came empty handed and ashamed to God the Father, like the prodigal son. But He was waiting for me, ready to clothe me and remind me that I am His daughter. I am forgiven.
Luke 15:11-31
I will no longer survive on the coattails of anyone else’s faith. It’s not enough. I have to hear God speak to me. It’s the only thing that truly satisfies me. Church is not enough. Community is not enough. I have to talk to Holy Spirit every day. I have to remember what Jesus did and is doing for me. I have to let the Father remind me who I am. Then, I am satisfied.
Romans 10:17- Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this: it’s not too late. Take it from someone that took over 20 years to finally turn to Jesus. God wants to hear from you because He loves you and has freedom for you.
Lord Jesus, hear my prayer. May I and the people I love kneel to you. Wake us up. Thank you Jesus that you paid the way back to the heart of the Father. Oh, death where is your sting? Oh, hell where is your victory?
Oh, King of Glory, enter into our lives. We bow down to you and worship you. Give us the faith to live for you. We love you, Jesus.
