I happened to catch this picture running through a song on YouTube. I saw it briefly but I will never forget it. A brief second and I saw myself. It was me! It was also any woman who is letting God guide her!
No it's not really me, but it may as well be. If
my words couldn't get you to picture what I'm going through then this picture
should. Life's boat tilts and the waves crash but Jesus has his
hand on my shoulder and points me in the direction I should go. If I become
fearful and look to either side at the large waves (trials) trying to
consume us, I start to go overboard into the deep abyss.
Call me crazy, but as we go through challenges I find myself somewhat grateful. What I experience can in turn be used to help others deal with similar situations.
During cell group this week we were asked to be
silent and let God speak to us an encouraging word for another member. What
someone shared with me left me almost speechless. She mentioned Isaiah 41 and
as she wasn’t sure of the words verbatim but she knew the context. I felt truly
refreshed because when I sat down to read the chapter I could apply this to my
life and what I witness around me.
"The poor and needy seek water, but there is
none,
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the Lord, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree,
The myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine
And the box tree together,
20 That they may see and know,
And consider and understand together,
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the Lord, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree,
The myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine
And the box tree together,
20 That they may see and know,
And consider and understand together,
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
I’m going backwards here but this screams “Japan”
and any other secular nation to me. God is the only one who can pull them out
of their darkness. I pray this prayer for them but not as eloquently. I saw
something else too.
9 You whom I
have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
God
is telling me to fear not. Once I thought I wasn’t good enough for missions, I
mis-judged it. I mis-judged myself, I lacked trust in God. If you are struggling with direction in your life, give it to Jesus. Be silent and let him speak to you. Pray that the things which are not of him and his grace will be banished from your mind.
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