I said before that a few of these posts were going to be directed specifically to the girls. More specifically, my sisters in Christ. Why? Because I have nothing to offer you other than Christ. I know of no other place to point you for strength, hope or purpose. If you don't know Jesus and the power of His salvation, please seek Him.
2 Timothy 1:9-12
"He has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
There is an endless supply of advice on how to be a strong woman. A strong mother. A strong wife. Tips to make life easier. Catch phrases to inspire. I know I've been guilty in the past of trying to sooth a friend's cry for help with a worldly, worthless solution. We just want the miracle cure. That one mysterious thing that makes "her" so perfect. That makes "her" so happy. My friends, it's not out there. For all of our searching we surely would have found it by now! There is only Jesus. He is the answer. He makes every difference.
For so many of us though, our relationship with Jesus just becomes more tasks to add onto our already overfilled lives. I'm supposed to take my children to church every week. I'm supposed to read my Bible. I'm supposed to pray. And I'm supposed to like it. Rarely do we see women living lives filled with peace and purpose. And it makes me wonder, what do we really believe?
I remember clearly a conversation years ago with a friend who was going through a challenging life event and I remember her saying "I know that God will do what He thinks is best, but I just don't trust Him right now.". That one moment impacted me profoundly. Because it made me look into the depths of my heart and decide. I encourage you to do the same. What it forced me to determine was that if I truly believed Jesus to be who He said He was and that He loves me how He says He does, than that must have an impact on my daily life. Meaning, my life must look different because of what I believe.
If I believe that God is all powerful, then I must believe that nothing in my life is beyond His control.
If I believe that He is all knowing, then I must believe that He understands my life, my circumstances and my deepest desires and highest good.
If I believe He loves me completely and perfectly, then I must believe that He will always accomplish the perfect and best in my life according to His perfect knowledge and complete power. I can trust, always, that His good plan is being brought about even when I can't even glimpse it. I can trust that He cares about every detail of my life. Really cares. That He holds me tenderly and His heart loves me. I have to just reflect on that for a moment. He loves me, with all the affection I can possibly relate to, plus infinity.
If I believe that He is coming again and that whether I die or He comes again, one day I will go from being here on earth to suddenly being in His presence, that must alter me. It's real. I believe it to the core of my being. One day I will go from this tangible, broken world to standing before my King. I will see with my eyes what I long to see now. All my hope is wrapped up in that.
What do you believe, dear sister? It matters. It changes who you are. The apostle Paul could sit in his Roman jail cell awaiting execution after giving everything for the gospel, because he knew whom he believed in. I have a friend in whose company I get to enjoy almost every week and she knows who she believes in. And it's an inspiring thing. She's ready to give, to sacrifice, to be daring, to be still, to be changed, to be called home, all because she believes. Spend time with people like this!
Believe what is true. Then believe with all of your heart. Be strong!!!
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