Today has kind of been an "ughhhhhh" kind of day. Just feeling tired, mopey, and under the weather. It's lovely here right now (PTL FOR NO RAIN!), but I was just feeling a little empty and discouraged.
I was reading the Scripture earlier, and this was what I read:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
I know the Holy Spirit is with me right now even as I type, because I have never been as moved by Scripture as I have been tonight, and I know that this is God's answer to my heartcry for more. I am not empty; God fills me with His goodness and love.
As I might have mentioned before, recently God has really put these verses on my heart: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:13); "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). Tonight I read another verse that adds to these ones and really confirms God's calling for us: "For we are the temple of the living God. As God as said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord." (2 Corinthians 6:16b-17a)
Be separate. What a challenge in today's world! But this isn't just a suggestion for moral and righteous living - this is a COMMAND from the God who created the universe. Be separate; be holy. We can be neither in and of ourselves, but everything comes from the Lord. If we were to try to be righteous and holy by our own power, we'd fail every time. We really have to remember to stay rooted in Christ! "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
I just feel so blessed this year. It is true that a lot has happened and there has been a lot of hurt and confusion in my life, but there has been so much joy in the certainty of my hope in Christ, and how He has been changing me little by little. I was just thinking last night that God has really given me many small circles of friends and brothers/sisters in Christ that I can really fellowship and grow with without fearing the vulnerability that comes with it. I have always been very afraid of emotional intimacy and letting people in, and for the first time God has shown me that it doesn't have to be painful. I know that God has a lot in store for me and the people around me this year, and it's just exciting and encouraging to see other brothers and sisters really desire God.
Seriously, where else could this joy and excitement come from?
No comments:
Post a Comment