If anyone told me ten years ago that I would one day have the opportunity to share God’s word with others in a room full of people I may have laughed, disagreed and possibly even run away by doing everything possible to ensure it wouldn’t happen. I believe it’s one of the reasons we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. If we knew, we may run from it.
I’ve learned that justification happens immediately when you accept Jesus into your life. At once your sins are forgiven and you are seen as righteous in the sight of the Lord. But sanctification is a process. There is a process to becoming more and more like Christ. I think I gave my heart to Jesus five times as a teenager because I didn’t fully understand salvation and the walk of a disciple of Christ. But through the years I learned more about Jesus, I learned His ways, I learned more about who I am in Christ. I am still learning and will always be learning.
When I look back, I see a lot of mistakes and I see a lot of lessons learned. There were a lot of tears. There will likely be many more lessons learned and more tears but my heart’s desire is to please God and reflect the love of Jesus. I’m not perfect, and yet I strive to be. I love to encourage people, but sometimes it is I who needs to be encouraged. In this life, we are not meant to walk it alone, God has given us community. Jesus showed us forgiveness, compassion, unconditional love and so much more. May we do as Jesus did and speak as He spoke.
I stand in awe of His goodness. In those moments when I wondered how God would use me, when I wondered if my season of hurting would ever end, or in those moments where I felt as though I hit rock bottom, I believed God was with me. I knew He didn’t leave me. I knew He was with me always giving me the strength to move forward. He is faithful and has opened up crazy doors. I don’t know where you’re at, but trust me when I say He is faithful. Continue to praise Him and watch as He moves in your life. Watch as He does the impossible. Watch as he brings to life the dry bones.
I pray that as you strive to be more like Jesus, doors would be open. As you seek Him, that He would reveal Himself to you in a new and mighty way. May His presence be so tangible in your life that you would never question His existence.
We don’t know what the future holds and when I think about it, sometimes it can be scary because in my mind I know what I want it to look like. But I’m reminding myself that I don’t ever have to be afraid when it comes to God’s plans because as He leads you to something, He will lead you through it. He is with you always! God is good, my friends. All the time.
XOXO
Leanna