Dear friends
I was thinking about individual paths.
Every person’s in general and how GOD has a path and a destination for each and every one of us.
And since I don’t know anyone’s path better than my own, I’ve been thinking about my own path in particular.
About how we get where we land.
About how we sometimes end up in the exact same place as we would have if we had taken “the other turn”, you know, the one when we thought a few years back that it wouldn’t make sense…?
Have you tried for some time to follow where GOD has been leading you, my friend, to literally walk by faith and not by sight?
Me, I have.
And sometimes, or actually more often than not, it made absolutely no sense where I strongly felt GOD was prompting me to go… and still, his directions were very clear… I followed and I thought, this might be a shortcut, might lead me to joy and fulfillment…
I was often times very wrong.
The turn I had taken from what I had believed GOD had asked me to do, where he had pushed me, it ended up to be a road leading to pain and suffering – a via dolorosa if you will…
Did I feel connected to JESUS by and during these sufferings?
Well, I did, in a way…
But also, in a way and at the same time, I was not chuffed about it at all, was arguing with GOD…
Would I have chosen this turn had I known how much suffering it would bring me?
The answer is a clear, honest and resounding “NEVER!”
Did I learn priceless and invaluable lessons from this?
Undoubtedly I did.
So I was thinking about the Israelites and how they were wandering through the wilderness for 40 years and took that long for a journey which is said to have been about 250 miles, which they could have taken in 3 weeks max?
They were not stupid and before them, many had traveled this road, even in the bible, Josephs family for instance during the famine, it didn’t take them that long to go and buy corn from Joseph in Egypt…
This wasn’t a geographical journey though.
GOD did not want them to get there as fast as possible.
HE taught them many things while they were on the way.
I believe HE still does that.
In the exact same way.
HE teaches us obedience.
Patience.
HE gives us victories along the way.
HE even performs miracles for us so that we would trust HIM.
Punishments and chastising are also included in the “price” when we buy our ticket.
Some of us may not make it…
Perhaps we are so much or too much focused on the destination whilst GOD is only interested to walk with us, or more that we would walk with HIM – regardless?
That we would learn to see the daily manna, the provision, the blessings, even when we think there are none?
That we would learn to be grateful and never murmur?
My journey with THE LORD has only been a little more than 5.5years, not 40… I may have become a little better at obeying and walking by faith, I wouldn’t say too much better though… still very much getting frustrated, focusing on the destination and wanting to reach it faster, being devastated about obstacles, delays and falls, instead of rejoycing that HE is with me and I with HIM and that’s all that matters… unfortunately, that’ s not yet all that exclusively matters to me.
Except on those days or in those moments when I manage to walk in the spirit.
With HIM.
Then I am completely calm and at peace.
Knowing that I will get there when I get there. And that “there” is where HE wants for me to get.
I mean it almost gets really obvious when we remember HE said HE IS the way (and the truth and the light).
When taken literally (I know not all in the bible is to be taken literally, but sometimes, taking it literally can be so enlightening!), it makes perfect sense, this one does, that HE is the way.
To wherever, to anywhere, to where we are supposed to go.
Without HIM, we will ALWAYS be on the wrong path.
A personal proof I found is that when I was walking the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrim route in Spain, walking with GOD and for GOD, I never ever felt closer to HIM in my life….
How about you, my friend?
Have you been walking with GOD?
Have you found HIM along the way and has HE shown you which turns to take?
What happened?
My friend, if this rings true in you and you have not given your life to JESUS, please don’t wait any longer!
You can do so right here and right now and here is an example of what you can pray in your heart right now, if you want to make JESUS LORD over your life:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge and confess that I have not lived my life for YOU to this day, but have been living for myself and in sin and that is wrong. Please forgive me of all of my sins just as I forgive others. I need YOU in my life; I want YOU in my life.
I recognize the completed work of YOUR only begotten Son JESUS CHRIST in giving HIS life for me on the cross, I believe in my heart JESUS is LORD and that HE was raised from the dead and ask for YOUR forgiveness, which YOU have made freely available to me through this sacrifice.
Come into my life now, LORD!
Take up residence in my heart and be my KING, my LORD, and my SAVIOUR!
From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow YOU all the days of my life. Those days are in YOUR hands.
I ask this Jesus name.
Amen.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, you are now part of GOD’s kingdom and family and I heartily welcome you, my dear brother or sister!
The next thing to do is get a bible and find a church where you can receive further instructions, so that your new life in THE LORD may prosper and that you will become who HE made you to be.
GOD bless you and if you have any questions or need any assistance, please get in touch.
For all of you, it is my prayer that this post will bless, inspire, heal and encourage you. And that The LORD will bless you abundantly in all areas of your life, that HE will keep you and shine HIS face upon you and bring you peace. In JESUS’ name I pray. AMEN.
Witness for Jesus 