I have come to the conclusion that there is only one sure way to move through (and sometimes sit in) the pain and joy of life. It involves the hard work of being on our knees and studying the word of God.
While there are numerous good and God-given ways to improve the quality of life, there is only one Source, Jesus Christ, who provides all we need. Compared to Him, everything else is background and some of it even counterfeit. He is the Counselor and Teacher of all time. He is the King of all kings. He is love. We need food and water to survive physically, but to survive and thrive emotionally and spiritually we need Jesus. There is no way around it. A couple prayers a month won't do it. A devotional here and there won't do it. A visit to church won't do it. The obligatory hour spent volunteering won't do it. A chapter from the Bible every month or so will not do it. Talk won't do it.
As I thought about the difficult and time consuming training soldiers do in order to prepare for possible deployment, it made me think about what kind of training I have been doing to prepare me for my life - the hit of anxiety, work stress, health scare, relationship strain, unexpected phone call, death of a loved one or betrayal.
Who is preparing us? While pouring out our heart to a trusted friend is a great blessing from God and can be incredibly healing, it still won't compare to being on our knees crying out to the One who knows - to the One who pours His power, love and wisdom into us from a cup that never sees it's last drop. Over and over we must do this. It can become as natural as breathing. It is not enough to know a little bit about the Bible from stories of childhood.
How often is our relationship with God's word just plain stale? I was not always able to say this, but I can say it today: God's word is full of life, color, meat, wisdom and joy. It has even made me laugh. It is alive and bursting with truth, just for us.
I have not arrived anywhere by any stretch. I have filled my time with counterfeit comfort too many times to count; leaving my Bible unopened for weeks with heartless prayers squeezed in here and there. I did not even know what I was missing!
Today, I want more of Him and less of this world. My training is not even close to being over but the precious times spent with God have served me more than well. I have been reminded of what God has taught me over the years. I am reminded that He is real, alive, loving and tender, and all-powerful. I am reminded that He is faithful and true to His word. I have been taught to walk by faith and not by sight. Oh, I have stumbled and will continue to stumble, but I know Who will be there to pick me up.
♥️It is never too late to cultivate a beautiful relationship with Jesus Christ.♥️
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26 (The words of Jesus)
Written by,
Dee M. Kostelyk
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