Keep Showing Up

I’ve been through some hard times the last several months.  I don’t know what the future holds for me, but God does.  I don’t know how some specific situations are going to work out in my life, but God does. 

No matter what happens in my life; no matter what troubles or problems I encounter; one thing I have learned is even when I don’t feel like praising, or worshipping,or reading, or studying the Word, or praying – Do it any way!  Keep showing up!  God rewards faithfulness.

The harder the situation, the more time I should spend in His presence.  Keep coming closer.  Keep running to God. 

Even when I don’t have the words to pray – be there – in my quiet place – with my heart quiet before God.  Guess what, God can handle my silence.  I don’t have to repress my feelings, my emotions, my tears. God wants them all.

The enemies goal is for me to withdraw from His presence – to stop seeking His face.  To believe the lie that God doesn’t care. 

God is faithful.  God loves me.  God delights in my spending time with Him.

God doesn’t just love me when I’m handling things right or when everything is going right.  He loves me constantly and unconditionally.  Nothing can separate me from the love of God.  He wants to wipe away my tears.  He wants to be with me.  He has not forgotten me.  His calling on my life is truer now than ever.

When circumstances scream otherwise, believe the truth – I am a child of the living God and He is for me.  (Romans 8:31)

Worship Him when nothing else makes sense. 

Keep showing up.  You can bet He is waiting for you.

Remember Peter

Luke 22:31-32

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus did not promise that Satan wouldn’t test Peter.

Jesus did not prevent Peter from failing.

Jesus did not tell Peter nothing bad would happen to him.

Jesus did say he would pray for Peter’s faith not to fail.

Jesus said – you are going to be tested beyond your limits and you are going to blow it big time.  When that happens, pick yourself up and use it for good. 

Jesus handpicked Peter – knowing in advance every mistake he would make.

Jesus knew that when Peter turned back, he would be in a position to strengthen his brothers.

God handpicked me – knowing in advance every mistake I would make.  He’s not asking for perfection from me – he’s asking for faithfulness.

He’s asking me to get up and turn the mess into something good.  This world needs to see how powerful God is and they can do that when I allow God to work in my life and through my mistakes.  They need to see that God is bigger than our problems and more powerful than our mistakes.