The Journey

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2 Corinthians 13:5     Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you.

2 Corinthians 5:17    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 6:4   Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, (of our sins) that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.   Apotheses fragment my addition.

 

Somehow, when I was a new believer, I thought life would miraculously change. And it did not.  I was so excited initially, and then realized I still had the same problems and there was not a significant difference. 

I did not do any studying, content to go to church service most Sundays for an hour, listen attentively, be touched, but feel I’d done what was acceptable.  After learning what I have learned and growing in the manner I have once I began truly seeking and studying on my own….I wish I had started years sooner. But no, I was a busy person; going to school, working full time, was a single parent, and owned a home that needed care and upkeep.  Busy! 

How selfish is that thinking! Yes, Jesus came to earth in human form, (although He was God, He did not appear as God), walked amongst the sinners and ill, teaching, healing, showing love and acceptance, performing many miracles, then WILLINGLY and KNOWINGLY surrendered to being beaten, mocked, scourged, then nailed to a cross until death. He died, was promptly buried so the time of the Sabbath would not be interrupted, sealed in a rock tomb, then three days later, rose, and ascended into heaven to again, sit on the right hand of God, creator. 

And He did this for ME.  For you too, and for ANY others who recognize He is God, and He chose to be the last sacrifice for us and OUR sins (not His; He was sinless, spotless, perfect), so we could be forgiven. We only have to believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, He was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again, then ascended into heaven. And is ALIVE.

We were definitely not going to heaven following the many laws God had given to Moses, and then the additional ones different priests tried to enforce. Many of us have a hard enough time trying to follow the TEN commandments, never mind over 600 laws. So Jesus came as a man, one who could sympathize, empathize, love, heal, travel, teach, and worship, and could demonstrate to others the proper way we should live while serving, living and worshiping God.

But I did not do that initially. In fact it tok several years for me to realize I needed to take RESPONSIBILITY for learning more, developing a RELATIONSHIP and seeking Him rather than trying to solve all issues myself. As people, that is what we try to do. We think we are in charge and frequently get ourselves into trouble.

God is in charge. He will not force Himself upon us, but He is there and willing if we reach out. He enjoys helping, but it is done in His timeframe. We are an impatient animal, us humans, and particularly in our country, we have the belief we are ENTITLED to immediate gratification, and should never be told NO, particularly if we want (and believe, we deserve) something.

That can lead to trouble. Voice of experience and example here, and details of my disobedience for this blog are unimportant, but I moved when told not to, and did what I thought for a brief moment was right, and have lived with results of the decision since.  (Please do not think I am miserable, as I am NOT, but I did disobey and it has cost something).

And yet, although I disobeyed, I also know God will make the outcome improve in His timing. So once I started studying and learning more about patience, His timing, obedience, listening to His guidance, my anxiety and impatience improved, and things seemed less stressful and morbid.  I truly wish I had started studying more of the bible earlier as I would be that much further ahead.  Following God, learning Jesus is a lifelong process, and I did not become a gung-ho student until about 15 years ago, twenty some odd years after accepting Him as my personal savior.

So, to quote Joyce Meyer, “I am not where I want to be (with my walk with Him), but thank God, I am not where I used to be.”

I am so loving this journey for me and all “mybellaviews.”