Where you headed?

The first session of Synodia was last night. The series is called "The Gospel According to [Saint] Bongo". Everyone was scratching their heads because what in the world does Jesus have to do with Belmont kids' Mecca for caffeine Bongo Java?

As Guy spoke, it was clear.

He shared John 10:7-15 where Jesus says He's the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and the sheep know Him. Jesus also talks about two other people: the thief and the hired hand. The thief obviously represents the bad stuff, the stuff we know is wrong and we can easily keep ourselves away. It's very black and white. The hired hand is where it gets gray. He can come in the form of a Starbucks (or St. Arbucks to Guy...har har har) or materials like the new techy thing or new clothes. He could even come in the form of a relationship or the idea of a relationship. These things, while enjoyed in moderation (Lord knows He allowed us to have Starbucks for a reason. Can I get an Amen??) aren't going to be around when life (the wolf in the passage's case) bares its teeth and rears its head. Those things are frivolous in those storms and turmoil. If that's all we hold onto and those things wash away, what do we have left? We're left groping for something that wasn't truly there in the first place. We come to realize it was all a facade.

Guy encouraged and challenged us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ. He's the only One who's going to get us through the tough times. He's the one who is always there no matter what. What does David say? If I go to the heights of heaven, God is there. If I go to the lowest point, God is there. How comforting that is! We don't need to fear anything life throws at us. We can be confident in the fact God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I hope that encourages some of you today.

This next bit is w-e-i-r-d WEIRD!

Like I said earlier, I had my speech yesterday. I had written 2 Timothy 1:7 on my notecard in order to look at it and know that God didn't give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Well, wouldn't you know I was reminded of that verse ALL DAY yesterday! The verse is written above my bed, first of all, so I'm constantly reminded of that. But it was brought up in conversation somewhere and my devotion had it as well. My devotion really struck me with something. My devotional was the one AO gave me and the other missionaries when we left. It's Henry T and Richard Blackaby's "Experiencing God Day by Day". The title for last night's reading was "Power, Not Fear".

As I began to read, I noticed it was speaking directly to me. Rather, God was speaking right to me through those words.

Ever since God revealed that tidbit of information while I was praying that one night, I've been scared. Scared I won't be good enough, that I'm not truly ready, that it's just one-sided and the man doesn't really like me. God put a stop to that right away last night!

"Fear causes us to stop and question what God has clearly told us to do."

Hey, that's me! I questioned God because this is totally new to me. I prayed long ago, about four years ago...I was pretty hurt from a situation with a guy when I was a sophomore in high school. He was the first guy I ever cried over. I haven't cried over anyone else like I had with him. It was there that I was broken. And it was there that I asked God for the simplest thing: to keep me away from relationships, meaningless relationships, and save me and my heart for that ONE guy who will end up being my husband. Sure through the four years, I've tried to like guys but God held me to it and didn't allow me to get into a relationship. He's given me the deepest desire of my heart, stay single until God's time came to give me the one who would challenge, compliment and, most importantly, love me and would never leave my side. Well, with this insight into my future, I was hesitant and fearful. I had the same feelings I had when God said I would be a journalist. All these questions would pop up into my head because I was scared of the uncertain. Instead of putting my big girl britches on and saying, "Alright Lord, lead the way." I was the one who shifted from foot to foot, wringing her hands. "Oh goodness, Lord, really? Now? Uhh...I don't know..." And God's lifting His hands saying "What are you talking about?! This is what you wanted! It's time. Get out there and do what I'm telling you to do!"

"Fear is no excuse to disobey God. Ask God to free you from any fear you are experiencing and to open your eyes. As He reveals the reality of your situation, He will enable you to continue in obedience."

That's my prayer. That God will open my eyes to the things unseen. That He'll keep me grounded in Him, not worrying about the future but embracing the present.

There's my shpeal. Take it for what it's worth.