Trust.

There's a tall ladder. At the top of it is your destination; the deepest desire of your heart. But where are we on that ladder? How long until you get to the top of it? What happens when God seems to be illuminating only the next couple of rungs?

Psalm 37 has been coming to mind all week, and then Pastor Jamey went ahead and did a mini sermon on it this morning! I love how God will confirm the direction He gives us.

Psalm 37:3-9
Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath, do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

The message is clear. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Just as He has provided for us thus far in life, and gives us encouragement through fellowship with other Christians, we should be releasing control, listening for His voice to give direction, and then walk in confidence in the direction He gave.

You know what Christian circles say about asking God for patience? Jokingly we're always reminded NOT to do that! Why? Because God will give us circumstances that will test our patience. He is really good at never giving up on us by always giving us situations that will test our trust in Him. Even when we fail, His grace and mercy remains. He picks us back up and provides another chance. We will never reach full potential on this side of Heaven, so this message is true in all seasons of life.

This is all easier said than done, I know, but it doesn't matter if we can't see past what is in front of us. God said the fulfillment of promise will come to those who trust in Him and wait patiently.

We release control and give Him our trust.

Humility Begets Wisdom

Wisdom.

As I've been reading in Proverbs, it is more and more apparent to me that there is true value in seeking wisdom. Not that I don't value wisdom, I have a very high standard for truth and wisdom, but I've been realizing that there are areas where I am lacking and there is no excuse.  

Proverbs 1:32-33 "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

The police don't buy it when you say you didn't see the speed limit posted anywhere...why should we expect it that, when we come face-to-face with the Creator, He would say, "it's ok, you didn't know" and there not be any consequences? He's attempting to grab hold of our hearts in this life, so that we can be prepared for eternity with Him. 

1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 

Maybe I'm not as prepared as I think I am. Maybe I lack the confidence to share the wisdom that I have. Either way, I'm hungry for more of it. We can’t do, create, or mimic wisdom, but we can create a conducive environment for wisdom to mature.

So that begs the question, why should I fast? (thanks for letting me steal this Heidi)
-Because Jesus fasted
-God calls us
-Training to be Christ-like involves fasting 
-To unleash AWESOME blessings from God, to break wickedness, lift heavy burdens, for loved ones to be saved, to break strong holds (Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?)

It's not about me and what I can accomplish; it's about God and what HE can accomplish through me. 

Psalm 107:9 God satisfies the thirsty and the hungry he fills with good things. 

So this is it. With one year of experiences behind me, there are no closed doors, only new beginnings.