Many of you were praying for us as we jumped on the opportunity to Walk in Jesus’ Footsteps over in Israel and Jordan this summer for two weeks. Stories will be shared here and there in regards to this amazing trip. One that keeps replaying in my mind occurred while traveling the LONG, desert roads of Jordan, where you pretty much saw only sand and dust for miles. We were in the middle of nowhere. As we drove and I gazed out the bus windows beyond the endless miles, I felt God tell me, “Keep on going. Don’t give up.”
Hmmm…why did God tell me this at that particular time? Was it because I was frustrated that my sensitive stomach wasn’t holding up as we travelled? Was it about things going on teaching-wise? Was it because I was having anxiety towards a variety of things going on? How can I do ____? (Many things can fill in that blank.) Was it that I was questioning how I was going to be able to help facilitate another Women’s Bible Study in the Fall? Was it because of veterinary challenges/possibilities? Marriage busyness? Friends and what they are going through? How can I keep going at the pace we are? How can I be this and that and show up here and there day after day? The list and questions continued… I definitely didn’t have the answers then nor was I able to put my finger on the specific reason or worry of why God spoke loudly about this.
What I do know is that God’s word is there to teach us, encourage us, be grasped in truth, and to be the light when we land in darkness. That darkness can be something as simple as confusion, frustration, wanting to give up, etc. Basically anything that pulls you away from God…
Some verses that came to mind were:
It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Heb. 12:1
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Cor. 9:24
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
My question to you is: where in life are you ready to just throw your hands up? Where do you want to give up? Do you have a favorite scripture verse that you lean on when you hit the “want to give up” wall? Lean on Him. Lean on His Word. Hand over fully any worries or stresses you have to Him. God is with us and wants the best for us! Keep running the race…towards Our Father. If you are praying, why worry? Are we glorifying God through how we respond to situations like the above ones mentioned? I could write on for hours about what all has gone through my mind and still fills my heart from just this one of many “God winks” from this trip. We could venture down many trails of conversation for this one…
