I long to be rooted and established in His love. But in order to do so, I must allow Him to dig up any wrong roots and pull out any weeds in my heart. Digging deeper into God has a cost. It’s the cost of pruning. Pruning is sometimes painful. Sometimes feels unending. But it’s so necessary and beneficial.
I wonder how willing you are to be uncomfortable. How willing you are to be inconvenienced. How willing you are to humble yourself and ask for the insight of a trusted friend or confidante.
I know this one thing, every time I face the discomfort and humility required to dig deeper, I end up with a reward that far surpasses all of that. I find the prize. More of Him. More peace. More freedom.
Digging deeper does indeed have a cost, but the reward extremely surpasses it.
I work with people all the time who are facing this choice. I’ve seen some boldly and bravely face this challenge and come through it with huge reward. Carrying back the bounty of what was previously stolen. Being restored. Ready to move forward in life.
But all too often I face another scenario. Those who are so afraid of change that they cling to their identity of brokenness with white knuckles and even though they know what’s happening is unhealthy, they choose to stay in the pigsty because it’s what they’ve always known. They are afraid of change. They are terrified that they won’t know who they are if they aren’t broken into a million pieces and continuing in their disfunction. It grieves me in the deepest of places because there’s so much more to life than that.
Not only do those people hurt themselves by staying in their broken state, but they also create collateral damage all around them. They hurt family, friends, and random strangers with their broken behavior.
Now that I’m older and I’ve seen a lot, albeit, obviously not everything, I’ve definitely seen the kind of life I do want to lead and the kind of life that I don’t.
I’ve learned that I process people and situations by sorting it out into categories of “I want to be more like this.” And “I don’t ever want to be like that.” And from that standpoint I endeavor any healing or personal growth I will need to attain the best for me and my family.
I don’t look at anything and think, “Well, it can’t get any better than this, so I guess I’ll deal with it.”
No way! That is such a lie of the enemy. He’s even using in a broad sense to stall out the church in America. Making us feel like there’s nothing we can do. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Do you know what is the most powerful thing we can do for America right now?
Create and cultivate strong and solid family relationships.
Yes, you heard me. In the face of the destroyer, we can create sturdy family units as he is hell bent on destroying the family.
If you need a place to start, then start there. But don’t stop there. From the position of a life devoted to God’s vision of family, continue personal healing. Never just say, “This is as good as it can get, so I’m done.”
Reach. Reach out for the hand of Eternity and allow Him to pull you further and further out of the muck and mire all around us. In Eternities grasp you can find purpose, wholeness, and the healing you so desperately desire. Turn to Jesus.
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You have planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire- but my ears You have opened- burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come- it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do Your will, my God; Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:1-8
365 Days in the Presence 