It’s almost been 2 1/2 years since my last article on Beyond the Road Less Travelled and God has done a lot in my life since then. I hope to write more frequently and maybe put some posts with thoughts that have been “on the shelf.” Honestly, God’s been teaching me more of the same things that I’ve posted in the past, just in deeper and more humbling ways. The older I get, the more sin I see, the more love of God I see, the more of His sweet mercy I see. If we stay faithful, trials get harder and each wound cuts deeper, but not apart from being filled with the sweetness and fulfillment God provides through the pouring of His Spirit and healing springs of His Word.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:8-11, ESV
When we are filled with God’s Word, God reveals our putrid nature and we are shown how much grace He’s actually given us. And through every failed test, He lovingly and patiently proves it. The Christian life is not easy and as Christians, we need to humbly and constantly be submitting to God by being in His Word. I know I can fall into the thinking that I can graze by life without barely a scratch or losing a breath. Have you ever felt this way? I struggle every single day with it. We are called to be holy, we are called to be set apart, we are called to share in Christ’s sacrifices that He bore for us! He has already paid the price, yet we are called to die in order that we may also be glorified with Christ (Romans 8).
We were broken, but after Christ bought us back from what separated us from our Father, He has made whole again at the cross and when we reach heaven we will share in His glory. Our future is secure! We are being torn apart, broken more and more each day from our fleshly selves so that each time you look at us, Christ is shining more brightly. Did you realize that?
I’ve realized that over these 2 1/2 years of being in Guam, I am no more wise than I am humble or more humble than wise. I’m a true sinner with no goodness in me. However, I am a redeemed sinner. Any drop of any goodness, love, mercy, grace, humility or wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit who was given to me at Salvation. My salvation had a cost and that was paid by the very blood of my Savior, Jesus Christ who ransomed me. Because of what Christ did for me, I will imperfectly run and strive for the prize, which is Christ, Himself, though my soul is already forever promised to the Lord of Living Waters!
“Are you thirsty?
Are you empty?
Come and drink these living waters.
Tired and broken;
Peace unspoken.
Rest beside these living waters.”Living Waters by Keith and Kristyn Getty
Beyond the Road Less Traveled 