Transparency Post: The Journey Thus Far

Hello and welcome back to another transparency post! I’m doing my best to adhere to the goal of posting twice a month and I appreciate the patience as I work on really utilizing my free time as it comes. That being said, here’s what’s on my heart and what I feel led to share:

Looking back at these past few months, I see how tangible God’s hand has been on me. We’re almost halfway through the year and it feels like it’s come and gone in a flash. In that time the Lord has held up a mirror to me, answering my prayers to continue to prune me and help me to grow closer to Him. What I didn’t know but would soon learn was that to grow closer to God it involved surrendering a lot internally, letting go of thoughts and mindsets that would hinder you from hearing Him. Being in His presence means letting go of distractions that would draw you away. Feeding your spirit would mean denying your flesh, daily; being diligent to guard your eyes and ears. All of this culminating into a very intentional decision that had to be made almost immediately upon waking, and one I’d remind myself of through the day, and it was the same choice the prophet Joshua presented to the people of Israel: choose this day whom you will serve (paraphrase of Joshua 24:15).

The full verse of Joshua 24:15 (ESV) reads: ^“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Reading this I can’t help but notice the parallel between this verse and my own life. Thankfully I was brought up in a household that chooses to serve the One True God, despite the many pagan gods and idols still present in this world. Though with the decision to serve Christ, there comes other choices that would cause me to spend more time on my own rather than a large crowd. Part of my journey this year has involved learning to be ok being set apart, comfortable in my own space and enjoying those moments of solitude as they give me more opportunities to spend time in the Word and in the presence of God. There is more joy to be found in the filling presence of God and reflecting on Scripture than wrapped up in the fleeting pleasures of the world, and it’s that simple truth that reminds me that there truly is nothing this world has to offer that I’m missing out on.

I’ve been blessed with a peace that transcends all understanding that acts as a guard over my heart and mind, and I want to encourage you that this peace is available to you as well. Remind yourself that you don’t belong to the world, nor the past, or the lies of the enemy; you are a child of the Most High God and you belong to Jesus; and if you’re not I encourage you to invite Jesus into your heart and into your life. This world is quickly passing away, and the only way to truly find peace amidst the storm is to follow the One who even the winds and the waves obey. 

I pray this has encouraged you to look back on your own year, your own journey, and praise God for how far He’s brought you. Don’t fret about the future, it’s all in His hand. Let Him lead, and be obedient to follow knowing He’s working all things out for the good of those who love Him.

God bless you, and until next time

–JB