Obedience in Christ

We all have a choice to make when the bumps in the road come along. The things in this world that throw you off your usual happy course, those lows are never welcome. God however, has allowed them, and can use them, like my last blog stated, to draw us into Him.

Genesis 50:19-21 (The Message)

19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

One of the biggest bumps in the road, was the loss of my father to cancer. I was only 9. Over the two years of his illness I saw my family crumble. What had once been a very secure place for a child became a very scary, uneasy, dark place. Once he passed away, I remember feeling at a total loss. My dear mother was now left with three kids and a very empty heart. Although she had claimed to believe, she never relied on Christ and his strength to carry her though this time. Once he left me, it was as if my life as I knew it was over. I can't even recall the year he passed away, my teacher, my friends, trips or special events, all I remember is the day I left what was left of my life, my family was moving to Oregon. I spent many years in what I can only call now a deep depression. Now why am I telling you all this? Only to show you what God did for me. Although He allowed all this, He knew what the story in the end would look like. My father became a believer a little before his death, I truly don't believe this would have happened with out his illness. I also received my grace from God about 6 years later. I am not sure if I didn't have this void, the deep emptiness if I would have choose to follow Christ, of course I hope I would have, but I don't know. My life with Christ is my joy. I am full of life, hope, love, the Holy Spirit. Those bumps in the road are difficult, they can be long, uncomfortable, awful, but God desires to use them to Glorify Himself. We have to be obedient to God when going through these times, to be used by Him. A good friend reminded me recently, "obedience in Christ", to cling to Him and follow His way through the bumps in the road. Sometimes we can't see the good God is meaning in short story, but we must trust Him and allow Him to use us, knowing that He knows the long story, the end. We can know the joy and peace that comes from obeying God, it isn't an easy path or choice, but the rewards are ones we can't even imagine.

Isaiah 1:19-20 (The Message)

...this is God's Message:
"If your sins are blood-red,
they'll be snow-white.
If they're red like crimson,
they'll be like wool.
If you'll willingly obey,
you'll feast like kings.
But if you're willful and stubborn,
you'll die like dogs."
That's right. God says so

My friends, may you "feast like kings", may your hearts overflow with the joy and peace that comes only from obedience in Christ.