So It's Been a Couple Days

So it's been a couple days since my last writing, but I have good reason - my family from up north paid us a visit! This past week of time with them inspired great conversation and much contemplation. The memories of past seemed to be so vivid and offered much reflection while we compared them to the present. How things have changed and how different the course of life can be paved. So what's your story? Each of us has one (or a million) that impress footprints into the fabric of history. Whether you are simple in your life efforts or built to take on the world, you have been on a journey before your birth. But who takes the reigns while on expedition? Consider this note I recently sent to a friend....


What a journey the Father takes us on? Are you up for the trek?

It can be challenging and even discouraging - the choice to follow Jesus. I always think of the guy in the gospels that asks the question to Jesus, "Can I go bury my dead father?" and Jesus responds, "Let the dead bury the dead, those that want spiritual life... follow me!" (a paraphrase of Matthew 8:18-22) But imagine the story that unfolds as you witness what this man does - as long as you partner with Him on His journey! And even though the trek can be unbearable, you aren't on it alone!

I have learned (and forgotten) much, but one one simple truth haunts me each day... We are not capable of anything on our own! I mean we can do a lot and even be successful learning how to "will" our way through or fake it until we make it, but at the end of everyday (or the beginning) we need a savior! He gives us strength to deal with impossible people and impossible situations and He puts us in front of impossible people and impossible situations so that we will have to come and talk to Him more and more. Otherwise we would never need to spend time with "Daddy"! You see, He doesn't need our love as much as He is one that wants to give us His love and build a dependency on it - nothing else! This is the fuel that gives life and stamina to our journey! Even in the midst of the worst struggles.

I suppose I write this all to say - do whatever it takes to be in His presence and share His presence (sometimes this means saying "no" to others - YIKES). Make His journey your PASSION. Fill up with His grace and mercy and let it overflow in all the areas you touch. Let Him carry your backpack of junk for awhile... He won't mind! Matter of fact, He has been asking for it for years! Without this fueling and partnership (constantly) we are bound to give ourselves away in vain and try to carry some other person's backpack when we are incapable of shouldering our own. This will steal your zeal and the journey starts to look like a jail cell in which we are serving a life sentence. Trust that He has what it takes to nourish your soul for the adventure. The journey is sweet when you keep your heart's compass on the destination.