lovely meet-up

Yesterday, I met up with a friend. Yes, a meet-up- something that I haven’t done since forever, even during the summer break. Stepping out of my comfort zone was difficult, meeting people, having human interactions was scary. Yet, I chose to do so, because I appreciate and love her very much as a friend.

I never regretted that decision, because we could literally speak about anything under the sun. (yes, from relationships, to school, to work, to God) and I treasure every moment spent with her. And even as we spoke over the most random of things, I found myself (or rather, the Holy Spirit in me), speaking words of wisdom, some that I cant even believe actually came out of my mouth?? And the things she shared also captivated me, and just made me WOW at how timely God’s reminders are.

Here are some of the ‘take-aways’ I just wanted to share (though not everything, but yes, those that still float in my memory)

1. Sometimes Jesus throws you into the deep end- but still gives you floats.

We were chatting about going for exchange program in a very foreign environment where cultures, languages are just soooo different. It is definitely gonna be difficult to adapt quickly given that these programmes are usually a span of 4-5 months. Yet, when she told me that ‘sometimes, Jesus throws you into the deep end to learn’, I thought, how true is that, except that He provides the floats as well.

How often in our lives do we face sudden changes and challenges, that catch us totally off-guard? Or how often do we find ourselves at the deep-end of some problem, struggling to grasp for the air above? As cliché as it is, life is not a bed of roses. Facing troubles and tribulations day in and out can be inevitable and sometimes we find ourselves forced to the corner, unsure of where to go, what to do, even when it seems like there’s only 1 option available. (sounds familiar?) yes I have been through countless of such situations , and on hindsight, I survived through them. How? By the floats (grace) of God. No, I’m not claiming that I ‘overcame’ every difficulty that came my way, but what I’m trying to say is that, despite me feeling absolutely down and out, like there’s no way out, Jesus never failed to make a way for me. Albeit uncomfortable at times, the floats seemed ever-ready for me to make use of, it’s just a matter of choice.

And I believe that in all the difficulties we’ve faced, or are facing,  there are floats thrown to us by Jesus, and it now boils down to whether we would choose to use it.

 

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake For when I am weak, then I am strong”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

” Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its word so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4

2. Sometimes Jesus closes doors on you, and throws the keys away too

Sounds scary, doesn’t it? I mean we’ve always heard about Jesus opening doors for us, but closing doors??? Unthinkable, unimaginable?

Nah, it isn’t. Just think of all the many times you failed to get something you really wanted, but ended up with something even better? To be honest, I think there’re just so many of such instances in my life- and I believe in yours too.

While our flesh may yearn for something, be it material things or not, sometimes, Jesus just knows that it isn’t suited for us, or that He actually has something better for us in place of that.

” Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Yes, our flesh is weak, we can’t deny that truth. And that is the very reason why Jesus has to close doors for us, because if He doesn’t, we’re bound to stumble through that door, despite knowing that we aren’t supposed to.

And yes, we can be stubborn headed and lament to God that we feel something is better/more suitable for us etc, but hey, **NEWS FLASH** God is almighty and He makes no mistakes. It takes a ton of courage and trust when making huge life decisions , to simply surrender it to the Lord, and trust that He knows what is best for us. And that why we’re reminded:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I’ve been at many, countless in fact, cross-roads in my life and even though in my head, I knew what I wanted; and in my heart, I knew what I needed, I really had to depend on the Lord to lead me to the road He wanted me to cross. And He isn’t on the other side of the road, He would be walking with me- and you too.

3. It’s not about your obedience, but about how faithful He is .

As I shared about some of my fears and insecurities, how I felt inferior to some people, and being unworthy of friends, of relationships, of His love, she reminded me that it really isn’t about how obedient we are in reading our bibles, meditate, pray etc, but at the core of it, it’s about reminding ourselves every moment, of how faithful He was, is and will be.

WOW.  So true ya?

” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither dearth nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)

In short, the verse above reminds us that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.

And while I still have countless insecurities and fears- about not being good enough for others, not being ‘up-to-standard’, not being ‘worthy’ or relationships etc, I just gotta constantly remind myself that all fears come from the devil, and it isn’t what God wants for me to experience.

And while things like reading devotionals, meditating, praying are all good and important, our eyes shouldn’t be fixed on what we do that could possible attain God’s love and attention, but rather, to fix our eyes on how faithful He is, despite knowing our flaws and iniquities.

” The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

4. To realise our callings, we really need to listen and be still. He works in mysterious ways, and that’s the joy and frustration of our walks with the Lord.

Something that’s really been stressing me out- what exactly does God want me to do with my life? Especially when I’m at this stage/age, it’s even more stressful when you have friends around you who already seem to have an idea of where they’re heading, or friends who are already making their way there. And I’m-just-here.

Frightening, isn’t it? For me, yes definitely.

Once in a while, I have spurts of positivity and motivation, I’ve many ambitions I wanna achieve- but they don’t last. I think of doing this and that, achieving great heights, but then I sink back into my fears and insecurities, and berate myself for even thinking I could reach that. ‘snap back into reality,  these are just dreams that you’ll never be able to achieve. Stop dreaming, get back to life. Who do you think you are to accomplish such feats? Don’t you know that (inserts challenges in circumstances) are gonna prevent you from reaching there?’  Yes, the thoughts that haunt me each time I even dream about my countless ambitions.

And so, it was a very timely reminder that to realise our callings, it really requires patience in our walks with the Lord. It is frustrating, not knowing where we’re headed; scary, unsure about what the Lord wants for us; daunting, when things don’t seem to go our way.

Yet, it’s about our walk with the Lord that matters, not the destination.

” One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of ,y life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple…. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:4, 13-14 (NIV)

I still have immense fears about my future, even presently, I still have no idea what the Lord has in store for me, I’m still afraid of noe being able to ‘live up to His standards’, and failing Him, myself, and everyone around me.

But, if there’s anything I can take heart in, it’d be that God is gonna walk this journey with me, and in all things that I do, glorify Him for He is all-deserving of all glory and honour.

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

LOVE NOTE:

C___, I don’t know if you’re gonna be reading this, but if you are, I’m very thankful for you in my life, and I believe that our paths crossed by no coincidence. Thank you for being YOU, for being one of my few friends in my walk with the Lord, and for always reassuring me that with God, my fears are unfounded. I appreciate all our conversations and for simply being there to listen and not judge. Every moment spent with you is just a fraction of the time we’re gonna continue in our walks with the Lord. Praying that even as you go for your exchange, the Lord’s grace be multiplied in all that you do, and that you find favour with everything you touch. Have a safe, enjoyable, enriching trip, and most importantly, to continue rediscovering God’s love for you revealed in all areas of your life. ❤️