Right where you are

Jesus was 30 years old before He started His ministry, a ministry that would last three years. He did a whole lotta work in these three years. He packed in a whole lot of teaching, healing and loving on people.

The mission of Jesus was to bring God to the people. He came to restore a relationship that just couldn’t be fixed by the law of the OT. He came to be a ladder between God and His people.

During the three years of His ministry Jesus met people right where they were.

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  The disciples on the shores with their fishing boats.
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  Matthew at work with his tax paperwork.
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  A woman who’s past was the talk of the town.

Jesus came to where they were at to bring them a grace and loved filled relationship. He came to meet them where they were to bring them closer to the Father.

He came to meet with me. To remind me of His love for me.

God told me, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! Jeremiah 31:3 The Message (emphasis mine)

As God and I have talked over the past few days He has showed me that my healing was something He would do, but that I can’t limit His ways or His timetable. Oh and that what I thought needed healing, my physical body, there was oh so much more to it!

Part of my Journal entry from 3-20-09

"Yesterday’s diagnosis is very hard for me to take and deal with. I can’t. Why is that? Why is there a stigma to the diagnosis? Why do I think I can control everything? To hear that a part of my brain is not functioning properly hit hard to the core. You see I wanted it to be something that wasn’t so personal feeling, like something that wasn’t my fault. For this feels like I should have control over this. I want to be bigger and better than that. For it feels so weak to be this way. Lord please lead me through this process every step of the way. Please give me the wisdom to discern Your will and voice in this. I don’t want to be labeled with a diagnosis. I want to be labeled with Your Son." Amen


This weekend He has answered my cry, and has led me through the steps of understanding the process. Here is a look at our weekend dialogue:

He says:
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:22-25

I say:
My faith is in You God. I know You are mighty and capable of anything. I want to be used so that you receive all the glory and honor. I am willing to submit my life. I submit my physical pain as a sacrifice for you, to bring worship to You!

He says:
But Samuel replied,
"What is more pleasing to the Lord:your burnt offerings and sacrificesor your obedience to his voice?Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)

I hear God telling me

"Nichole I don’t want a ritual sacrifice from you. I want a love relationship with you. One where I bring you closer to my heart. And out of love for me, you will obey. Bringing you closer to my heart Nichole means things have to go that are blocking our relationship."

The rest of the journal entry:

"Lord I come this morning to kneel before You. I come to ask forgiveness of judging the people around me over the years. For thinking I knew better, for thinking they just weren’t trying hard enough, for thinking their problems or issues were their own fault. Father please forgive me for judging them out of my pretense, my pride, my issues with self-control. Forgive me for placing on them "a law of requirements" a law that I have placed on myself. Lord forgive me for not seeing the people You created in Your very image how You see them. I know Your precious word tells me that I see the outside, but You see the heart. I am praying this morning Lord Jesus see my heart, clean, repair and renew it. Only You have the power to do this Lord. I come this morning to seek Your forgiveness for any stigma that I have added to this or put on the people around me. Please forgive me Lord." Amen

You see I thought I had control over my body, and so should other people. My pride led me to look down on those around me. I am guilty of thinking of others, "quit whining, get yourself together and take control of yourself". And now I stand corrected in my thoughts. There are things that I can control, and those are the choices to take care of His temple. To eat healthy, exercise, manage stress, and to let Him control the things I can’t.

Yesterday He showed me what a healing heart could do for Him. The phone rang yesterday evening as I was making dinner. It was someone who God has brought in my life to love on. She called to share that she was feeling some guilt and shame from a choice she had made. We had a great conversation, we shared, we talked about God’s unconditional, grace filled healing love, and we prayed together. And you know what I am praising God for, making the ministry Living My Life On Purpose, have such awesome and eternal purpose. You see this phone call came at just the right time, it was part of the healing process for me.

A healing of the mind, body and soul. For I stand in awe of a God who cares so much to not let me settle. He keeps meeting with me right where I am!

May you know that He wants to meet with you, right where you are. He has a grace and love filled relationship waiting for you. Let Him lead the way, cause it will take you right to His heart!