journey onWord with us

Can God be trusted to guide our lives? — Yes! Can we trust the Bible? — Absolutely! Do we believe that it has the answers for life’s questions? — Yes! Is accepting Christ as Savior the only way to heaven? — Absolutely! Does God answer prayer? — Yes! Can the Father give us joy on the journey? — Absolutely! These truths are almost like a creed that could easily be recited. But I am concerned that horizontal focus (earthbound) tends to overshadow our vertical relationship (trusting the Father).

A personal illustration may help. Although I know He gives me joy for the journey, yesterday was one of those days of earthbound, frustrating human logic. I wanted to pout, and I had good reason to do it! (Did I really??)  After praying for different issues, why was I not trusting? Why was I getting discouraged when God wasn’t moving quick enough? Why was I grumpy when “my” plans didn’t fit as I wanted? Could it be because I wanted to lead my life and fit God’s design into my plans? You may have experienced similar days recently.

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Mark 8:34-37 — The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language

All of us will have “rough days,” but does your general pattern of life model the words of Christ? Most Christ-followers would say, “I want Christ to lead me,” yet we fight for the driver’s seat. When Christ leads, love, sacrifice, obedience and sometimes suffering will be the required. On the days, and sometimes seasons, when we are in the driver’s seat, love turns inward, sacrifice seems too radical, obedience is optional, and suffering is to be avoided at all costs. To find the joy available from God and the you He means for you to be, lose your life … and He will save it.

Are you finding a struggle at the steering wheel? — Yes! Does God understand your struggle? — Absolutely! Can you have more joy by letting Christ lead? — Yes! Do you believe that you can trust Him? — Absolutely!  Are you willing to radically commit to letting Him lead? — _________!

At Journey onWord With Us, we are not just about writing devotional posts, or words of challenge or encouragement.  We are here when you are struggling to fill in that blank. Or we are ready to come alongside you when you make a decision to fill in that blank.  Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out.  We are always ready to share the reason for our hope in Christ.