I’ve been
trying to debrief the month of June for the last few days, and I am still not
sure what to say about it. That being
said, I am going to try to pour out my thoughts into a blog for all to see.
Have you
ever been lost? Have you ever been in a
place, in your mind or in reality, where you’ve just had no clue as to what to
do next? Have you ever lost something
that was very dear to you? I’m sure we
all have. I guess that’s how this last
month feels to me…a month of being lost…and found.
Everyone
has struggles that they face in life, and I am no exception. I have a lot of stubbornness, a selfish
streak, issues with anger, problems with self worth, envy, patience, and the
list goes on and on. When you’re out in
the world following after God, He quickly and painfully reveals these things to
you (if you don’t know them already).
It’s kind of a sucky feeling to have God remind you of those, I am not
going to lie. At the same time, I’m
reminded that God is a loving Father to us, His children, and that He wants
what’s best for us.
I don’t
think God demands perfection, but He certainly wants us to live like Jesus
Christ did. He does demand a spotless
record in order to enter Heaven, but fortunately that’s where being saved by
grace comes in. He knows we can’t live
up to the law that He gave us. After
all, lying is a sin…who hasn’t done that?
Anyway, I
found myself this last month desparately wanting to give up these things that
don’t do me, God, or anyone else a lick of good…but I realized that I have no
idea how to do so. Like a child and his
lollipop, sometimes even the bad things are difficult to give up. Once you build up your own little world, it’s
really hard to tear some of it back down.
It was
finally in June where I really realized just how little I can do without
Him. I remember prayer after prayer just
asking for help, because I didn’t know what else to ask for. I really felt lost in every spiritual sense
of the word. Luckily for me, God talks
back.
The Lord
told me to read Psalm 34, which I have added to the bottom of this blog. It is a psalm of King David which he wrote
about a really tough time in his life. I
am sure in that moment he had to ask the Lord for help many times. The psalm reveals that God is listening and
is ready to respond when we call to Him for help. He knows just what to do. Although I have no idea, He’s already figured
the whole thing out.
found in Jesus Christ, and I have been for four years now. Those words carry a lot more meaning at this
moment in my life. I am really at His
mercy to listen for His voice as He reveals what He wants to do in me. It’s kind of scary, and a lot of times He
takes me out of my comfort zone. The
last half of the race is nothing like the first; I feel like we’re just getting
started with the real race now. I’d bet
you that lollipop that the month of July is going to be a huge challenge, but
if I carefully and patiently follow the Lord, I hope we’ll see some big
results.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord‘s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
