Now

“Happy new year!” and “What’s your new year’s resolution?”- words thrown around like confetti in January. But what about when it’s not happy? What about when you don’t know which way is up, if you can’t see any resolution for issues in your life, much less make a resolution? While some began the new year with fireworks and hope, others look out on the future through the fog of uncertainty. What then?  It can still be a joyous year if we allow God to use our trials as fertilizer to grow our soul. Hey, guess what? Even if I have the best year of my life there will be some bad days, but I can rest assured if I cast my cares on Jesus. The Creator can handle my bad days.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

I have today. Yesterday is gone. I must sow seed today if I want to bear fruit tomorrow. I have today to know Jesus more, to serve Him and others, to make a difference here and for eternity.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

But sometimes I let myself be held captive, trapped in the revolving door of regret and condemnation. Round and round, I go, caught up in the whole, coulda, shoulda, woulda trap.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (KJV)

Sometimes I worry about the future and how the current drama is going to work out, instead of giving myself, my circumstances, to Him.

Jesus said:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)

Jesus calls me to Himself- to be a wave walker. “Stop running! Stop flailing!” He says. “Be still for a moment and I will show you how to walk out of there.”

“Okay. What do you want from me Jesus?”

“Everything.”

“Everything, Lord? My sin, all my fall shorts,  my self-will, my timing, the gifts you have given me? My anxiety, my pain, my plans, my dreams?”

“Yes.”

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

He wants living sacrifices. Sometimes it feels like a slow and painful death that leads me to life in Him. But when we come to the end of ourselves we find a new beginning of grace in Christ. Our end is Christ’s starting point. He makes us into His creation.

Sometimes He needs to make us new again.

Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. Jeremiah 18:3-4 (NASB)

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NASB)

JJ Weeks Band- Rest Now. Lyric Video

Jesus is with us and already waiting for us down the road at the next crisis we face. He knows the mistakes we will make and is there for us when we fall, to lift us up on our feet again and set us on the right path.

Everything in your past is preparation for something in your future. God wastes nothing. Even when you have a setback, God has already prepared your comeback. The God who works all things together for good will leverage every experience, every skill, every mistake, and every bit of knowledge you have acquired. – Mark Batterson, Chase the Lion devotional

“I need you, Lord. Help me. I am sick of complacency. I am sick of religion. I hate my sin. Forgive me. Deliver me. I am your work in progress, but I want to be your masterpiece.”

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3 (NKJV)

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Psalms 54:4 (NASB)

What if I spent less time dwelling on the storm and more time dwelling in the presence of the Storm Stiller?

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Sometimes He only lights a little of the path- but He always lights enough for me to follow Him and take the next step.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 (NKJV)

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)

The faithful love of the lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

  Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

  I say to myself, “The lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

  The lord is good to those who depend on him,

to those who search for him.

  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the lord. Lamentations 3:22-26 (NLT)

The Preacher asked me many years ago what I wanted from God. “Everything.” I said. I still want that. I want everything He has for me. I want Him. And He wants me. He wants you too.

So, here’s my goal, my prayer for this year:

“Closer, Jesus. I want to know you more, to obey your will.

I can’t carry this load called life, so- here. I can’t change others. I can’t even change me, except by Your grace and power. God, save my family. Have Your way in me. I’m not good at loving like you do- enlarge my heart, Lord. I want to look like You. Help me to be a good steward, a disciplined soldier of the time, talent and responsibilities you have given me.

Give me words to praise you, Lord. Let my words rise to the Heavens as an offering to you, may they reach down and take root in hearts; use them to draw others to You, into Your knowledge, light and love; give me souls.”

I awoke at 3:36 am, to a whisper in my heart.

“Now,” He said.

“Lord? Where are we going?”

“Ready?”

“Okay. Set. I believe in You, Lord.”

“Now.”

“Hold my hand, Jesus.”

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

© 2017 Rachael M Colby     Tattoo It On Your Heart