Choose – JOURNEY OF THANKFULNESS

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…Courageous Trust.

My friend Jackie is the coiner of all my favorite phrases. She has a way of taking what’s in my heart and whittling it down to its trustest form and renaming it. Her latest installment? Courageous Obedience. It is the desire to step out and DO. That’s it, simply do whatever God says to do, no questions, no fear, no asking “God, are you sure?” It’s the act of doing what God says to do, the moment He says to do it. It’s the cry of all our hearts. We, who believe that Jesus is God’s son and are called by His love and grace, all want to do what God wants us to do.

Here’s a truth: it is easier said than done. If courageous obedience was something we could achieve on our own, the children of Israel would not have wandered in the desert for 40 years. Jesus would not have had to come and die. Adam and Eve would not have been kicked out of Eden, and we would be living in God’s original design for us. Right about now, you’re thinking, “Well, this is depressing. It’s hopeless. Why did I read this?” Fear not, friends, I have good news. Extra good news. None of this was a surprise to God; Jesus coming and dying was not Plan B. It was always THE PLAN. We serve a God who knows the end from the beginning. He knew we would fail, struggle, and fall, and He chose us anyway. I’ll say it again—HE CHOSE US.

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Courageous trust is our doorway to courageous obedience. God loves us, He chose us, and sent His only son to take our sins so that we can have a right relationship with Him. We can’t do it on our own, but if we courageously trust in God, He’ll get us there. Trust Him, even when it doesn’t make sense, and He’ll get you there.

So, what am I thankful for today? Courageous trust.

DAY 51 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…Choosing God.

Lately, the state of the world and America have been heavy on my heart, for lack of a better description, what I am seeing grieves my heart. It scares me to think about where we are heading, especially as I watch people I respect and some I love fall into the trap of the world and its traditions. If we, who are called to be salt and light, look like the world, what hope is there? This question has been an ever-present fixture in my heart and mind for a while now. Sometimes it leads me to a sweet time of reflection and growth as I seek God and His words for direction and wisdom, and other times, it leads me to deep sadness and near depression because instead of looking to my Lord and Savior who walks on raging seas, I focus on the darkness I see engulfing us.

Here’s a reminder from God’s word of who we are and what God has given us, but most importantly, it’s a reminder that sin is subtle, it sneaks in, like satan in the garden, and distracts us with half-truths and tries to redirect our hearts and minds with questions like, “Did God REALLY say…” How do we combat this? By KNOWING WHAT GOD DID SAY.

“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments…See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ…Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch,” (Colossians 2:2B-4, 8, 21).

Our hope is Christ, our guide and the director of our path is Christ. Christ is who we look to when the world is upside down. Christ is where our hope and safety are found, NOT religion, NOT man, and NOT the world. God says DON’T handle, DON’T taste, and DON’T touch. We are God’s representatives to the world. Our call is to represent Him correctly, and God takes this charge seriously; we should, too.

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE.” (Joshua 24:14-15A).

Here’s the truth, friends, we are going to serve something. Whether that be self or God is our choice to make. I hope, like Joshua, your answer is, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15B)

So, what am I thankful for today? That we can choose God.