It has been a while since I’ve written a new blog. It isn’t for lack of inspiration or thought, but because I have too many thoughts! In these next few paragraphs I want to proclaim the reasons my soul celebrates today. Ironically, most of the reasons to rejoice blossomed from struggle, pain, and sorrow. I am learning that in order for my heart to truly know joy, I must experience sorrow and embrace it. God hold us in the dark times, so we come out of it looking more like you.
First, we just celebrated and continue to celebrate the most incredible and awe inspiring season of all time. Easter! We now can be reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ, and not only have life, but have it abundantly! We can know and experience grace through a relationship with the Creator God and find liberty from our selfishness. Can I get an AMEN? Amen. The expectancy of Easter‘s promise makes my heart glad and I pray that I can live in its truth all year long. Plus, I got to spend time laughing and worshipping with my amazing family. =0) The anticipation of Easter. . .
Second, I am moving to Kentucky in June. Yes, Kentucky! I will be completing a graduate program to receive my Masters in Social Work from Asbury University. No, I don’t know what I want to do with the degree. No, I don’t know anyone in Kentucky. Yes, I will be living on student loans, again. Yes, I am excited and yes, I am insecure all at the same time. I decided just to answer the questions I know you might be thinking. The anticipation of adventure. . .
Third, I am enjoying the company and conversation of a new and unexpected person in my life. I have been encouraged, I have been challenged, and I have been happy. Don’t you just love how God blesses you through people?! His design for relationship and community is an incredible gift. The anticipation of relationship . . .
Fourth, I am hearing God say through His Word and through His people to not bury my talents just because I don’t know what to do with them, or because I'm not "the best." Oswald Chambers says, “We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. . . When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, ‘I can’t.’ Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.” Just as we have a spirit of anticipation and expectancy through Christ, God Himself expects to display His power through His children. Wow. . . wow is all I can say to that. I encourage you to read Matthew 25:14-30 and dig deep into how God desires to use your talents. Are we putting limitations on what God can do through us because we ourselves are limited? “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 He is God of all and He is everything. He has no limitations. The anticipation of the Holy Spirit. . .
Fifth, and final for now, I joyfully exclaim that I am finding sweet freedom from something that has had a grip on my life for the past year and a half. I cannot go into great detail in order to respect others, but I can say with confidence that God’s grace and healing power is true and real. I am FREE from lies. I am FREE from self pity! I have been rescued from something that was made to destroy and God has made it into something good. Oh how I pray that you find the same freedom from what holds on tight to you and whispers lies into your heart. Believe the truth, and the truth is that Jesus Christ is the Way. “I [Jesus] am the Way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 The anticipation of FREEDOM. . .
Anticipation and excitement build as I praise God in the present and hope for God for the future. May you walk in faith as you love God and love people.
Love,
Lindsey
