"Now when the time was almost come for Jesus to be received up [to heaven], He steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem."
Luke 9:51 (Amplified Bible)
Have you read the book "Lord of the Flies"?
It's a gloomy, dark book, but an important one to read.
It does a great job of helping a young person come to terms with the beast within us all.
The author relentlessly pursues the reader around every bush, and every rock,
refusing to allow us to hide from the dark potential within us.
My mom thought is was important for me to read. And I made sure to do the same for my son. He pretty much hated it. Because he is passionate about evil and injustice.
But what I didn't know until two weeks ago, is that the author wasn't published,
until after being turned down more than 20 times!
Imagine being rejected over 20 times!
And getting back up and trying again!
What if he had not submitted the 22nd time?
And keep in mind, that his first book published was the classic, "Lord of the Flies".
So, this classic, that has been required reading for countless, countless
well-read, young people was rejected over 20 times!
Unthinkable, huh?
In the pursuit of the desires of our hearts, our hopes and our dreams,
we have several obstacles.
But, we can not rest on the laurels of our faith,
and not prepare for success.
Jesus said that it was good for us that He go,
because He would send us the Comforter,
who would lead us into all truth.
As we are led by His Holy Spirit, we will know when our part is to pray and wait,
(but never just wait, never wait without prayer, and expectancy,
always consider Today Could Be The Day)
and when to take action.
Sometimes that action is preparation for the success.
Sometimes it's our outright pursuit of it.
Like the author of "Lord of the Flies".
Many times, we hesitate, we don't want to get ahead of God. That is worthy thinking.
But, consider, we are His sheep, He Knows us.
That means He knows what it takes for us to hear Him.
That gives me confidence.
Confidence that I will not be deceived as I fully rely and put my trust in Him.
John 10 (read for yourself, please) assures me that I will listen to Him!
If we have prayed and believed only to be disappointed, then we aren't finished yet.
We must keep going.
If we have tried and failed, then we aren't finished yet,
We must Keep Going!
Keep Going!
We aren't finished yet!
Trust me, I know that many of us have blisters on our hearts
from carrying around these same dreams.
Year in, year out.
I'm right in there with you to say,
recently God has been encouraging me to take steady, forward action.
Do not cease to move forward.
I want to share something that I have mentioned in comments recently to a couple of you, my friends on the Blog-o-sphere.
"He leadeth me beside the still waters."
Psalm 23:2b
Strong's Concordance shows us that "leadeth", as used here means to
"run with a sparkle",
to flow, to conduct, to protect, to sustain, carry, feed, guide, lead gently.
His Word is incredibly full of exhortation and promise!
Now, let's back up, to consider the boogey monster of fear of failure.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. "
Psalm 23:1
To say in the Hebrew "I shall not want" means I shall not fail,
I shall not decrease,
I shall not fall backward, I shall not be empty or in vain.
That means, because He IS my Shepherd, and
He leads and guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake,
I can know that my efforts are not empty or in vain,
so that even what looks like failure He will cause to bring me more success in the long run.
He will train me, teach me, and empty me, so that He can in turn fill me.
If my motives need purifying, He'll do it. If my vision needs enlarging, He'll do it!
He causes me to run with a sparkle! By rivers of His Living Water!
Remember today, Jesus setting his jaw and with great determination pursuing
His destiny in Jerusalem.
And remember that faith without works is dead, (See James 2).
And I looked up works. Guess what it means?
Work. Toil.
Let's Keep Going!
(If you want to read Part One, about hopes and dreams click Helium Head)
9 comments:
I so will need this post when and IF I ever pull my head out of the sand and write the book that's been floating around in my head for years...I assure you I'll re re re read it!!
So inspiring dear sister! You are so an encourager. That is your gift and you use it so well. Thank you! I was encouraged and uplifted and energized by your post today. And all with your foggy head! Good job!
I see the fog is clearing.
Hope that means you are feeling better.
I so need a reminder to keep moving.
And this is a good reminder of the verse that says, He will complete what He began in us.
Sometimes I put my stubborn sheep patoot on the ground and I am too tired to move on. I guess it is good that He has a staff with my name on it. Well, if it is not on it it out to be--He has had to use it on me often enough. :)
Up and following.
Thank you. Good post.
Thanks for inspiring me my friend, love you.
Gave you an award at my place.
Great post. Busy busy two weeks for me with company and Easter, but didn't want you to think I'd forgotten you. I will be back reading again soon.
That was really, really inspiring, thank you. What a great reminder to going on foreword in confidence in Him!!
Powerful Post! I love to dig deep and take the scripture a part piece by piece- it's exciting!
Cecily, I SO believe you will do this! Believe it or not, this is the stuff of life you are living...though it feels like bills, sleepless nights, homework and kool-aid, that book is being written on your heart...one day, things will slow down, and out will tumble the book(s) (and maybe a play about women?)!
Leslie, Thank you! I am glad this could "burn through the fog" in my brain! You know the irony is, you encourage me the same way!
Sharon, it is MUCH better! Thanks a bunch!
Trust me, I was talking to myself so much as I wrote this! I think we all must have a staff with our names on it
Denise, you are welcome & thank you for coming by!
Leslie, You're the Cat's Meow!
Carole, I hope you are enjoying yourself! Thinking of you as you all have your Maundy Thursday service! And, btw, thank you!
Tiffany, me too! Thanks!
Hope you all are doing well! Thanks for coming by!
Maria
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