The Journey

I've always loved the concept of life being a story or a journey. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because I love reading about adventures and stories where God captures someone's heart and takes them to places they never thought or dreamed they would live. I've always admired those people's stories and thought that it was so amazing that they would heed the call God gives them. I've prayed for years that the Lord would grab my heart in some way and that I would follow Him with it. Well, He has certainly grabbed my heart. He used 143 million children to do it and I am changed forever because of it. However, now I have a choice to make. I'm a senior in high school, 17, and at a place in my life where there are many forks in the road to my future. And I have been struck with fear. The closer we as Christians get to Christ and His call, the more the enemy is going to shower us with doubts, fears, and lies. I have experienced this so much the past few months, and found my fear to be energy-zapping and joy-sapping (if those are words haha). Thankfully, the Lord knew that we would be faced with fear throughout life, and so He lovingly put many verses in the Word to quiet our hearts of fear and doubt. Here are just a few:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." (Exodus 14:13)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) (American Standard Version)

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can Man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

So after reading these, I realized just how much I'd let my fear take hold of me. It is freeing to release fear and doubt and just let the joy of the Lord live in my heart. I'm not going to pretend that I still don't have moments where I get scared of making the wrong decision. I won't tell you that I still don't ask God why situations are the way they are. I won't pretend that I still don't wonder if things will get better or if they will work out. Because in life, there are no guarentees. Many times as Christians, I think that we can fall into a belief that "God is faithful, He will make this situation work out. He will help me, this will get better." Could he make it better? Yes. Will he make it better? I don't know. We will go through trials and regardless of how hard we pray, it may be in God's sovereign will for us to endure. I think of my Claudia girl constantly, and just turn to the Lord and plead with Him to release her. I'm scared that may never happen, but I know that the Lord is the stronghold of our lives and He has her in His hands. Regardless of what hardships or trials, decisions or unknowns, the Lord has clearly stated that we are not to cower down in fear. He has more than enough grace and strength to carry us through, and if we ask for wisdom He will give it. Today, I'm going to set my eyes on Christ and turn my ears away from the lies and doubts whispered in my ears. Today, I want to continue on this journey called life and not be stopped in the middle of the road because of a street sign named fear. When I look back on the story God is weaving, I don't want to look back on the chapter named fear and see all that I missed out on. Today, I want to start pressing on towards heeding the call God has given me, even though I'm a little scared about where He might take me. Will you join me?

*Photo by Alyssa Garvin