No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
I don’t know about you but every now and then, when I least expect it I run smack bang into myself. And not the me I like.
It’s the lily livered me, that tends to takes fright and go to ground at the drop of a hat. That hangs back and shy’s away. That goes in half way and then beats a hasty retreat back to where it’s safe. Not all the time, not in every situation but enough, – – – – I don’t like her much.
God likes her though – – – He’s sticking with her.
And it’s why Jesus came – to save us from the worst of ourselves – to undo our fear – give us a life, with Him at its centre that sustains us and compels us.
It’s confronting though and uncomfortable to be eye to eye with the reality of our worst stuff – to feel the heat of its breath and the sting of it’s words. To see up close how fear has bossed me around at times and hemmed me in and caused me to live smaller than I would have liked.
And if I’m not careful I can think it defines me, that it counts out all the good. If I’m not careful I can think that it tells the whole story.
But it’s not the whole story. It’s not the main thing. The main thing – – – “is God. The Creator of the universe. The Creator of you and me. He loves us. He wants us. He will stop at nothing to get us.” Susie Davis.
So He lets us get a good look at things sometimes – to see our worst up close – not all the time, in God’s time – not to undo us, not to condemn us – but so He can change us. So He can pour His light in there. Things look different in the light – our fears hollow and flimsy, with no real substance or power to hurt us.
Sometimes He lets us get a good look at things so we can see that He’s so much bigger than our fear, so we can see Him with us and surrounding us – so we learn to lean into Him and trust Him, His love – enormous and unfailing – making us brave.
Sometimes He lets us get a good look at things so we can blow it out of the water – make a mess of IT instead of the other way around.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NLT
Over the years I’ve found out some good things. God is unendingly faithful and His grace is amazing.
When I think I can’t – God says I can. When I want to pull back, He shows me how to move forward. And sometimes you’ve just gotta hold onto Him tight and do it afraid.
The only guarantee – is God – – – and God with us.
He comes into us, then comes out of us, in a million little ways. That’s why there’s freedom even in the blah. Hope, even in the dark. Love, even in the fear. Trust, even as we face our critic. And believing in the midst of all that? It feels like strength and depth and wildflower spinning; it feels risky and brave and underdog winning. It feels like redemption. It feels like art”. Emily P Freeman – A Million Little Ways
Much love to you today
Tracey xx