"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:1-3
We look daily for encouragement. We search for inspiration. We wake frustrated and confused. Attacks come from every corner. It seems Satan has gloves on and he isn't waiting for us to suit up and be ready. He attacks when our head it down. When we are looking the other way he hits. Then with a one two punch we go down, but must we be down for the count?
We can be prepared. We must be! Why do we look past our bible? We have God's Word, but where is it? On a table, covered in dust? On a shelf, forgotten? In the back of car, where we only take it out as walk into church? My friends, we have His Word. His Word to us, His children. Why do we look elsewhere for what we need? We wonder why we are confused. We are not in His Word. We wonder why we cannot understand. We are not in His Word. We wonder why we are falling into temptation. We are not in His Word. We wonder why we cannot stand in adversity. We are not in His Word.
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
Ever try walking through a dark house? You might know where everything is, but without light, you will stub your toe and cry out. The same is with God's Word. Sure, we know where it is, but if we are not allowing it to light our way, we are not going to see all before us. Therefore, we will fall. We will stumble. We were not meant to walk in darkness, but to have our way lit. God will light our path. He knows what is up ahead. He knows where each attack is coming from. In Him we can be prepared. Those punches may come, but with our head held up and our eyes looking upward we can be ready for all.
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14
Friends, it is time we leave the past the behind. It is time to crawl out of bed and open the curtains, letting the light stream in. If we want to live life in the fullest we must reach for that bible that lay covered and search the pages for the Word the Lord so wants us to hear. If we are not careful we can close the shades and block out all light. In that darkness we find sadness. Loneliness covers our souls and we are soon believing that no one cares. We see the world around us as our enemy. We have a yearning to begin again, but we aren't sure if we can. How does one let go of the past? How do we forget yesterday? We give it all to Christ. We cry out to Him. We scream at the top of our lungs, releasing the hurt, the anger, the resentment. It is then we find comfort, we find peace and forgivness reaches our soul.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even through our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
God is alive in us. He is all around us. We can find safety in Him. He is our comfort. He is our shelter. He is our everything. So then, why look for more? Nothing here on this earth will ever satisfy like Him. No word will ever restore like His. No love is greater. So, why do we still spend our lives searching for more? The things of this world are temporary. Christ is lasting and real. We place our trust in those things which are seen, but in fact, those things will go away. Might we begin to trust the One who created this world and placed in it mighty works of glory, glory that our eye cannot fathom. One day heaven will open all the gates to the unknown and our eyes will be opened for the first time and we will see!!
Don't allow discouragement to drown out all that is good. Don't allow your circumstances to define who you are. Don't allow handicaps to cripple our senses. We must rise with a new hope each day. With a trust that goes beyond all fear. We must carry with us a belief that our life has purpose and God has given us a plan.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
Friends, we have a Redeemer. Christ is our Deliverer. He is our Councelor. The Great Advisor. Physician and Healer. There is nothing we cannot take to Jesus. He is waiting for us. He wants to restore our supply and rekindle our fire. Let it all go and trust in Him. If you have cried all the tears you have, not one has not touched His hands. He has bottled each one to now wash you in His grace. We were made for a deeper love. A greater purpose. We are part of something bigger than we can imagine. Choose Christ today. Choose life in Him today.
