In Him

Hello Ladies,

So I have been waiting to write this short note until God released me to do so. When I share, it is out of my own heart, experiences, and relationship with God. So here it is, I lay it out on the line for all of you to read. This is my first post for the Pastoring Partners network. A special thanks to Pastor Deanna Shrodes!!

So you may have noticed the title of this note is “In Him”. This all started a few weeks ago, while on my way to work in my white mini-van. I have noticed that God speaks to me when I am driving, so its always interesting. So am driving along, minding my own business thinking of my checklist of things to do when I get to the office. “Open door for meeting, order supplies from Sam’s, e-mail clients,….” I had stopped at a stop light, and out of no where this little red beetle lands on my windshield. “Huh, that’s a weird looking bug.” So I speed up after the light changes green, and that little bug hangs on for dear life. I went from 30, to 40, to 50 miles per hour.

The little beetle just hanging out enjoying the ride. “Hey lady, thanks for the ride. I just wanted to rest for a while.” This little guy hung on, as I sped up to 55 miles per hour, he started looking kind of nervous. “What’s going on here? Why is this thing rocking?” The wind starting blowing pretty hard from the North, as a cold front was coming through, and with it dreary rain, fog, and cold. The little bug decided it would continue to push through the rain, wind, and fog. It was then the Holy Spirit said, “Watch.” I did what I was told. The little beetle clung to the window with all six legs, then slowly, five legs, four legs, three legs, then two. The last two legs, it looked like he was clinging to the end of air-plane not wanting to go sky-diving.

All it took was one more gust of wind to whip him into the foggy air. No longer was little beetle apart of my ride to work. It was kind of sad, that moment, my friend leaving in the middle of the storm. The rest of the way, the Holy Spirit spoke to me several things.

First of all, Acts 17:28 states, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being…” The little beetle was a picture of how I have tried to handle the storms of life. At times its easy to cling to another’s victory or relationship with God, or follow a path that offers some comfort. The little bug clung to what was easy, familiar, and yet it was the most unsafe place for him to be. I was inside my van, safe from the storm, at peace, warm, and knowing where I was going. When we are in Him, even during the storms and struggles we may face, He is in us guiding us, keeping us safe. There were times that Jesus calmed the storm, made a way in the river, and even slept. How much more do we have that same power and peace accessible to us.

Secondly, we have the choice daily to enter into His presence before our journey begins. There is no special formula for this, but just speaking to the Father the thoughts of your heart and mind. Giving Him your day any part of the day not out of obligation, but relationship is key to living in Him, and not in the Storm.

Lastly, 1st Thessalonians 5:18 shares, “Give thanks to God in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When life’s circumstances do not look how you expect it to be, and God’s Word doesn’t match the facts of your life, it is STILL God’s will for you to be at peace in Him, and to be thankful. This kind of thankfulness is not based out of our own emotions or feelings, but the very fact and truth of WHO God is in your moment. Our joy comes from the Lord, and this Joy (Jesus) is our strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength. So we can thank Him, love Him, live in Him, while He directs our path.

So dear ones, it is my desire for you all to be challenged during this Holiday season to push through the storms, circumstances, and emotions and be in Him, as He is in us..

Blessings,