Music also ministers to me. At the beginning of my journey, I was introduced to Christian music and one of my favorite songs, which I still sing to this day, is "God Will Make a Way." As I went through seemingly impossible circumstances, God did and continues to make a way for me.
As I reflect, one of the exciting things I remember, is that as I was ready for the next step, God would send another person to me with another word to hang onto. For example, I was very concerned about my girls, and one day at church, someone told me Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I embraced that Scripture and realized that God loves my kids more than I ever could, and if He has a plan for me, He has a plan for each of them, so I can trust that He will fulfill His plans in each of their lives, and I didn't need to worry anymore. God has them in His hands. Praise the Lord!
Why was this happening? Why was God sending these people into my life? Why was I believing them? I think part of it was that I was down to nothing. I was desperate. This prepared my heart to listen and have hope in the Lord. In Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7, the Bible says basically, you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart and soul.
I was at a workshop once, and the speaker said that in our journey with the Lord, He wants us to move from A-Z, but we are not ready. As we are ready, He moves us forward. So, we might move from A-C, then back to B, up to D, then back to C. As we are ready, God will move us forward. We show our readiness when we seek Him with all our hearts, and when we are open to receive His direction, i.e. we are teachable. Sometimes our pride or our own independence get in the way, but when we choose to seek Him as we would seek a hidden treasure(Proverbs 2:1-8), we will find Him and be blessed.
One example of someone going the extra mile to seek Jesus is Zacchaeus, in Luke 19:4. He was a tax collector who had taken advantage of people. He was very short, but really wanted to see Jesus. So he made the extra effort to climb up a tree to see Him. Jesus noticed his extra effort and dined with Zacchaeus and his family that night. As a result, Zacchaeus repented of his sins, repaid those he had cheated and sought to live his life for the Lord. How about you? Are you desperate enough to climb a tree (figuratively)? Are you making an extra effort to seek the Lord? If not, it is never too late to start.
Each person that came into my life encouraged me with Scripture. Each time, my faith was increased because I could feel God's peace or see Him at work in my life. So I began to hunger for more. I went to Bible study, read my Bible, journaled about my journey so that I could see when I was growing or stagnating, went to church, and fellowshipped with Christians. I was seeking Him with all my heart and soul and God has never disappointed me. I continue on that pathway. I continue to seek the Lord and marvel at what He does in me and through me to touch others.
As you reflect on your life, think about the people God has brought into your life to encourage you and give you hope in Him. As you think about all He has done for you, your faith will be strengthened for the future. Give thanks for all those who have helped you on your path and ask God to use you to help others as they navigate the trials of this life. Sometimes the smallest kindness shown to another can be lifechanging for them.
In Psalm 37:3-5, Scripture says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it." What a great promise! As we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts.
In Matthew 6:33, Scripture says, "But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Similar to this Scripture, one day, as I was driving, I sensed the Lord telling me that if I would put Him first in my life, He would put everything in order. I thought, "WOW! If I put God first in my life, He will put everything in order!" I thought that was I great deal for me. I give God myself, with all my flaws and frailties and He, the Creator of the universe, gives me everything I need! I didn't have to think too hard about that proposal. I said, "Absolutely! Lord, I give You my life and seek to keep you first above all things always." I made the commitment and have been blessed beyond measure in the good times and in the hard times. God is faithful. Please give Him a try.
To be continued on May 2, 2023.
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