Call Back!

Someone just gave me the book Jesus Calling to read. Although I will admit I was in a bad mood when I started the first page... I struggled to get into it! One thought kept going through my head, "Jesus is Calling BUT.... I Don't Want To Answer the Phone!" I couldn't even focus on the words as I argued with myself and God. "What if I am tired of Him calling? What if I don't want to answer? Maybe I just want to be left alone? How about you call back another day!" I know this sounds ridiculous but I couldn't stop myself from throwing a mini tantrum. 

Like most toddlers, I finally wore myself out. And Jesus called. 

"Kimberley, are you done? If not I will wait. Remember that I love you and the promises I made to you 20 years ago. Your journey with me will sometimes be very difficult. There are going to be many times you will grow weary. I never promised you a rose garden or dreams full of fluff. But I will never leave or forsake you. I will always love you and be your refuge in the storms."

But God, I am so tired sometimes of dealing with all "this"!

"Kimberley, you promised to obey and you were called for such a time as this! Do you remember what life was like without me? Did you forget where I found you? Run into my arms to find rest and give me your burdens to carry. Lean on me, I will hold you up when you can't take another step. I will carry you when you can't move forward. But when I call, don't block me out."

Jesus IS calling! I'm going pick up the phone because I want to talk to Him! He will wait and continue to pursue me even when I put my fingers in my ears to tune Him out. Why? His love for us is relentless! He will never give up!

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Psalm 103:1-2

BECAUSE

"Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
-Chorus by Bill and Gloria Gaither

I love this chorus. David Crowder did a version of the song that brings me to my knees when I hear it. Usually when I sing it, I will have tears streaming down my face. 

This song reminds me that I can wake up tomorrow with hope because He lives. Even if everything in my life is a train wreck, my hope in Jesus helps me put one foot in front of the other. When I want to put my covers over my head because the thought of starting another day seems overwhelming, my love for Him gives me strength to get up.

When I am scared, worried, or filled with anxiety I try to take a deep breath and remember He holds my future. He knows the right timing. He knows the next step. He knows my heart desires. He knows what my family needs. He holds my destiny in the palm of His hand. Because He lives He wants me to trust Him and not run around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to figure out or fix everything.

Life is hard. It can throw you curve balls, knock you to your knees, take your breath away with the pain, and you wonder, "Is all this worth it?" But because He lives, because He died on the cross, because He made the ultimate sacrifice, because He loved us more than enough.... life IS worth living. 

"In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:21-22

Can You Hear Me Now Part 2

       

Another way I hear God is through music. I will be driving along and hear a song come on KLOVE that will knock my socks off. I could have heard it a hundred times before and all of a sudden today, it hits me like a ton of bricks. He will use songs to comfort me like, "Never Let Go" by David Crowder. This song promises that God will not let go of me.....EVER! He will always be there even when no one else is. 

       He will use a song to remind me of where I came from like the "The Vow" by Geoff Moore. It states that right here, right now I stand alone and I make my vow. Whatever it takes I will be faithful.
       Sometimes he just wants to remind me who is he, like "All Consuming Fire" by Jesus Culture. God is not something to dabble in he wants to consume my life to live it for him. 
       Other times he is saying get off your butt and proclaim my name, "Go" by Hillsong United which states just that. GO!. 
       Often he is bending my will, like "Here for You" by Chris Tomlin. This song makes me weep. God wants it all. He wants my heart to be filled with his love. My heart to be open to him, not hiding. It is not about what I want but what He wants. I am here for him, created by him, for his will.
      The song that brings me to His throne is "In Christ Alone".  One of the choruses goes like this:
                                     No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me; 

From life's first cry to final breath. 

Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

You want to hear God? Turn on some worship music and start singing.

                      "I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High." Psalms 9:2

TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>>>>