I had the joy and privilege of having a couple days off to head down to South Carolina to visit my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and mom. One of the days we went to the beach. This was an absolute answer to my prayers as I had been desiring to just step into the water, as the waves rolled onto the shore.
I was sitting on the beach, my toes in the warm sand, the breeze blowing my hair all out of place- every which way. It was a bit of a walk to step into the water, but oh were the waves calling my name. With each step I took, I was closer and closer to the water. Unlike the sand, which was warm to the touch, the water brought chills to my feet, up to my legs. It was cold to the touch. Like every other day, it was an absolutely beautiful day as the Lord spoke
"PEACE and PRESENCE"
This was His promise that day and every day. Peace and presence. Speaking of which, I was about done with this post when I lost the connection. Everything I wrote after this point was lost. The way I look at it, I get to seek the Father once more for His heart and ask Him what to write. He's so good and so kind to us. His grace is abundant. We have choice when circumstances do not go the way we desire- are we going to react or respond? To react would show the control you lack, but to respond shows the control you have to not let circumstances dictate your emotions, attitude, choices, etc.. We all fall short though. I just want to encourage you to take a step back, breathe, re-fix your eyes on Jesus, and walk forward with Him, allowing no offense to take root in your heart. God's presence is always with us and in His presence is fullness of joy. Nothing and no one can steal the joy, peace, love or anything that He has given us.
Back to my original topic. :) You know, the ocean is not foreign to me. I'm a SoCal girl and I love my beaches. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to walk upon the waves, as Peter did for a few moments. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to start swimming in the ocean, beyond the horizon that my physical eye can see, and ask me to swim until I can swim no longer. It is NEW to me- it even seems out of range of what I am capable of doing! Peter was a fisherman- he was used to being on the water. What he wasn't used to was walking on the water. When Jesus told Peter to "come", Peter came. He began to walk on the water towards Jesus. But the moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and paid attention to the crashing waves around him, he began to sink. (Of course Jesus did not allow him to sink.)
Back to my original topic. :) You know, the ocean is not foreign to me. I'm a SoCal girl and I love my beaches. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to walk upon the waves, as Peter did for a few moments. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to start swimming in the ocean, beyond the horizon that my physical eye can see, and ask me to swim until I can swim no longer. It is NEW to me- it even seems out of range of what I am capable of doing! Peter was a fisherman- he was used to being on the water. What he wasn't used to was walking on the water. When Jesus told Peter to "come", Peter came. He began to walk on the water towards Jesus. But the moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and paid attention to the crashing waves around him, he began to sink. (Of course Jesus did not allow him to sink.)
We are not called to focus on circumstances, we are not meant to focus on anything but Jesus. Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
The Lord knows where He is leading you, He knows what you need, He knows how to prepare you for what is to come. He is never going to leave you and He's never going to forsake you. His plans for you are good and they are for your good!
The Lord is faithful to call us out into the unknown because He does not desire for anything to hinder us from the fullness He has for us. The Lord is faithful to lead us into things that seem bigger than us, because He desires for us to not only fully rely on Him, but also to know that with Him we truly can do anything!
When the Lord calls you forward, you don't have to be afraid of not being adequate, not being prepared or of any type of fear you face or might face. The Lord has prepared the way FULLY, for He goes before you, He goes with you and He goes behind you. He is within you, He is around you, He surrounds you.
We don't have to be afraid for perfect love casts out fear, and not only is God love- but He lives within you. So you have Love living within you, which means fear has no place in your life because God who is love is in you and fear cannot continue on in the presence of the Almighty God. Perfect love casts out all fear!!!
So with whatever the Lord has asked of you, whatever He is calling you towards- simply obey. Place your trust in Him and walk in simple obedience. You were made for more. You were made to change the world, one step at a time. Don't be afraid to walk forward or step out. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to guide you as He walks forward with you. I can only imagine what the Lord has planned for you. Blessings to you all! I love you.
The Lord is faithful to call us out into the unknown because He does not desire for anything to hinder us from the fullness He has for us. The Lord is faithful to lead us into things that seem bigger than us, because He desires for us to not only fully rely on Him, but also to know that with Him we truly can do anything!
When the Lord calls you forward, you don't have to be afraid of not being adequate, not being prepared or of any type of fear you face or might face. The Lord has prepared the way FULLY, for He goes before you, He goes with you and He goes behind you. He is within you, He is around you, He surrounds you.
We don't have to be afraid for perfect love casts out fear, and not only is God love- but He lives within you. So you have Love living within you, which means fear has no place in your life because God who is love is in you and fear cannot continue on in the presence of the Almighty God. Perfect love casts out all fear!!!
So with whatever the Lord has asked of you, whatever He is calling you towards- simply obey. Place your trust in Him and walk in simple obedience. You were made for more. You were made to change the world, one step at a time. Don't be afraid to walk forward or step out. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to guide you as He walks forward with you. I can only imagine what the Lord has planned for you. Blessings to you all! I love you.