Come away with me.
God is still good. Let's run this race.
I feel like Jesus has really put these words on my heart. Maybe because I've been listening to that song on repeat (by Jesus Culture: go listen to it), or maybe because Jesus is reminding me to keep my eyes on Him, because He knows my focus keeps going elsewhere.
I'll just put some of the lyrics on here for you...
"Come away with me.
Come away with me.
It's never too late. It's not too late.
It's not too late for you.
I have a plan for you
I have a plan for you.
It's going to be wild
It's going to be great,
It's going to be full of me."
Cannot stop thinking about this song. I love that some of the lines are repeated, because Jesus is constantly repeating things to me. And He doesn't get tired of doing it.
Come away with me...
Those words sounds magical, right?
...when He says this to us we tend to think that this means He is wanting to lead us into an enchanted forest.
and yes, sometimes when He says those words to us, He is wanting to lead us out of the valley (a hard situation) into the mountains (rest).
But what happens when He says the words "Come away with me", and it's not to go into a restful place?
What if He is leads you into a tough place? A place that doesn't make sense why you are there or why He would lead you there...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul..." -Psalm 23:1-3
He leads me beside quiet waters..
What if the path to get to that restful place isn't butterflies and rainbows? (I know there is a different saying; I can't remember it so this will do)
What if it's really hard? What if it's not all ice cream and sprinkles? (I'm trying...)
Would we still come when He calls us to come to Him?
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8
How cool is that? Jesus doesn't expect us to walk in the hard times alone. He KNOWS we are too weak. He goes before us, and is holding our hand at all times, even if you are trying to push His hand away...He is still there. He's not going anywhere.
He is leading us to something SO beautiful..
He is leading us to Himself.
The maker of all good things. He created you and I, and is delighted in us.
This plan that He has for you...
it's going to be wild,
it's going to be great.
It's going to be full of Him.
All we have to do is TRUST and step out in faith,
trust that within this marathon we are running, we are going to get distracted. And then we will get our focus back. We are going to get tired. And then we will get supernatural energy to continue running. We are going to get discouraged. And then we will get encouraged. You may end up running next to people you didn't think you'd be running next to, and some people may get pulled from the race early. We are running to Jesus, the ultimate goal.
But...
Take heart. He is also running with us. He is the one who returns our focus back. He is the one who gives supernatural energy. He is the one who loves to encourage when you get discouraged. He is the one that when you get tired and need to stop and rest for a few minutes, will not condemn you for stopping and will rest and wait for you with a smile on His face.
Heavy heart this week for the the loss of Andrew Svgdik. I didn't know him, but from all the beautiful stories I've heard of him, I wish I would have. Praying for my friends who knew and loved him, and for his family.
God is still good. Let's run this race.
Love,
T
