Focusing on God's Marvelous Plan in the middle of our mess. As cliché as that statement sounds, it is in no way easy to grasp. Yes, very simple but in no way easy to live out. I definitely wasn’t planning on writing this or anything else for that matter today, but as it goes with most of my blogs something happens in life and God helps walk me through it, then shows me what to write about. A few days ago an old injury started to flare up. Then today it got to the point where I couldn’t finish my run. So I started to freak out because I was thinking this means another injury is gonna take me out of running for a while. So I’m at home just trying to quit worrying about it and attempting to distract myself from it with my phone but it wasn’t working so I grabbed my bible (what I should have done in the first place) and a notebook and started writing this. It’s kinda just a thrown together mess. But that’s what life is like some days, especially when we don’t start the day off with our quiet time in the AM (guilty).
Okey doke, here goes. I started flipping around in my bible and asking God to show me something and I found Psalm 89 (go read the whole thing when you get a chance, it’s gooood). Verse 13 says, “The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth, your arm is endowed with power, your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.” I literally always forget how powerful God is. He controls every single thing that happens. Me: has a dramatic internal panic attack and gets a ‘tude cause my leg is hurting. God: chill, just yesterday you asked me to take you wherever I wanted as long as it brought as much glory to my name as possible. Me: oh ya I did say that. (I didn’t actually hear God say this I’m jus thinkin it).
This is one of those “I feel in waves of sunshine of unrelenting rain” scenarios. Yesterday morning the cry of my heart was completely open and I was so excited for wherever God was gonna take me (like one of those I couldn't stop smiling even if I wanted to moments). Then, today was the opposite as I was limpin’ up the stairs and feelin’ like my heart was in a wheelchair. As one of my biggest inspirations, Katherine Wolfe, states, “everyone’s heart is in some kind of wheelchair.” Even if we are not in a physical wheelchair, everyone has something weighing on their heart and mind, keeping them from the peace and freedom Christ has to offer.
Psalm 89 goes on to say, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength. I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man (//woman) from among the people.” When I read “bestowed strength on a warrior” I imagine God like sprinklin’ some magic pixie dust on us while we’re sleeping or something lol. Anyways, anyways, back to tha bible study part. Verse 21 says, “My hand will sustain him: surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him.” Ooooh yes. Those verses proclaim some massive victory. Man, earlier we read about how powerful his arm is. That is the same strong and steady arm we get to reach out to every day for help and instead of just letting us hold onto him he actually holds onto us too, and not just our arm, but our hand. He intertwines his fingers with your fingers, his heart with your heart.
I actually laugh when I think about how good God is. Like for real. I love how verse 22 says “the enemy will not get the better of him.” The “messes” that fuel our every day mood swings are totally from the enemy. My leg hurting isn’t necessarily from him, but my fear filled “freak out mode” most definitely was. We gotta cling to that verse’s truth that he will not get the better of us. We can beat the devil at his own game and when he tries to strike some fear into us we can send him running terrified when we show him just how much we trust JC with our whole lives. God has endless commitment to us, let’s have endless commitment in return and not only believe in how awesome his plans are (“he is more awesome than all who surround him” psalm 89: 8) on the “happy” days cause happiness is fleeting while his presence is not. So so so thankful JC showed up tonight like he always does to throw some truth arrows my way to wake me up from my schlump;)
I hope this was applicable to someone else’s life tonight as well. Let’s keep on runnin cause a winner don’t quit on themselves. Let’s say no to less and yes to God. Let’s make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.
Blessings,
Kathryn
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”