And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.         Philippians 4:19

It is our nature to be dissatisfied, always craving more and aspiring to have what we determine to be the best in our lives.  Success and fulfillment are not bad desires but they are desires that can only be truly satisfied by the One who created you.  You were uniquely created for a purpose; therefore, you have a personal journey specifically mapped out to reach YOUR destination.

I have a friend whom recently used an analogy that brought clarity to my impatience.  I would love to share it and see if it changes your perspective.  God is our ultimate father and he knows and wants what is best for us.  It is like us as mothers and fathers wanting to give our children their desires. My friends analogy: When they come to you with that desperate face and really “need” a chocolate chip cookie; you want to let them have the delicious cookie but you know that a nutritious, more fulfilling dinner is being prepared and you don’t want the cookie to spoil their appetite for the better option.

Oh, I am the little girl. Always wanting the cookie when it comes to God asking me to wait for the best He is preparing for me! I argue and rationalize why I need the cookie and what the cookie will do for me right now.  The perfect Father in all of His glory denies me the cookie; see’s my tantrum and rains down grace, wisdom and discernment to calm my spirit and strengthen my resolve as I wait for the best.

Our minds and emotions are the greatest weapon used by the enemy to keep us from enjoying the journey to our best.  He loves to change our focus from the truth God speaks into our lives to the negative things he can point out about our current condition; which most often fail in comparison to the big picture.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God  (1 Peter 1:18-21, the message)

I personally experienced this as I became restless in my current job situation. I pursued other options that in my mind were more appealing. In the process however, God revealed to me the blessings in my current job that far outweigh the negative I was allowing myself to focus on.  In my change in focus came gratitude over attitude. I am content being exactly where God has me in this phase of my unique journey.   I will make the effort to embrace my surroundings for all they have to offer me both in opportunity and service.

So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time.  Live carefree before God: he is most careful with you. (1 Peter 5: 6-7; the message)

 

I am learning to be content in where I am and who I am.  God cares about the details of our life and wants us to have life and life more abundantly; nothing less.  He wants us to have the extravagant meal he is preparing for us which makes our cookie, that was once so appealing, look like rubbish.

What cookie are you begging for?  Don’t you want to learn patience and focus on the truth that God is preparing for your best?  This my friend, will be more than you could every dream or imagine.

Now to Him who is able to do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.   Ephesians 3:20

The journey is just as important as the destination.  Focus on the light. Do not fall prey to the shiny distractions that want to darken your mind and play with your emotions.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of  God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:16

 

“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them.  I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.  These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them”. Isaiah 42:16

Darkness can be so “all encompassing and overwhelming”. Strangely enough, we can easily become so adjusted to it.  What was once an uncomfortable and uncertain place, (with endless whispers from the enemy) over time can give us the false illusion of security and familiarity.  The light that could illuminate our situation and bring us clarity and wisdom, eventually becomes a distant flicker.

Sin rolls into our lives like a foggy morning; clouding our judgement, our vision and the paths we are walking.  Disorientation and false illusions of satisfaction and happiness, lead us further and further away from the light.  After years of wandering in the wilderness of self satisfaction and self gratification; wallowing  in pity and shame of the things we have done and even things done unto us; we can no longer find our way home.  We stake our tents in the field of deception and darkness, covering ourselves in a blanket of false security. Unknowingly making ourselves prey to the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Lying there in this darkness, defeated and broken down we cry out in desperation that somewhere in the midst of the things we cannot see, we will find a beacon of hope.

Enter Jesus: who came so that we may have life and have it to the full! His very presence illuminates our surroundings and calms our fears, giving us a new perspective.  He takes our hand and leads us out of the wilderness and into a new territory that He had always intended us to dwell in.  His light reveals the beauty we had lost sight of.  His peace is now what encompasses us.  We no longer walk alone or blindly along the rocky path but instead with a light that guides us.  Understanding now, that we do not take any step alone.  He begins to smooth out the rough spots and pitfalls we have created while in the darkness.

He has never left us nor forsaken us. The light has always been there wooing us to come and allow Him to show us the way.  The way – to walk within His peace, to dwell with Him in gardens of hope, love and grace.

More than anything, He wants us to experience His love and accept His gift of redemption and eternal life.  He paid the highest ransom to free you from the bondage of darkness. Embrace the freedom that has been provided. Shake off the mirage of chains that are holding you back and run, run to the arms of the Savior where you will find light that leads to life! You are never too far away or too far gone.  The light never goes out; it burns eternal for all who are seeking refuge and healing.

God is faithful. The same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  He will leave the light on for you.