You know, this isn't really the article I want to write. Ever, actually. I would much rather write another article about why James Bay is actually bae or my take on bromances, but no. Instead, you're going to get an article written from a place of personal pain and struggles. It's about to get deep up in here. So strap in, if you're with me.
I'm a Christian, so I believe God is with us in all things and that no matter what happens He has a plan for our lives. And though I always believe that, there are times when it's much harder to believe. Sometimes it's much harder to believe in an omnipotent being who not only knows everything about us, but loves us, and has a plan in motion for our lives, especially when we can't seem to see that plan. When life just seems to be passing us by, or nothing seems to be going how we want it, it's much harder to believe. At least, for me.
And my response, honestly it's been to run. To run away, to ignore, to get angry and hide, like a little child who thinks they can hide from their father by closing their eyes. He can still see you. God can still see you, no matter how far you try to run away. I mean, look at Jonah. God actually had Jonah swallowed by a fish so He could spend time with Jonah. Because Jonah was so busy running away, he wouldn't even look around and see God walking beside him, even in his wrongdoing.
What I'm trying to say here is, stop trying to play hide-and-seek with God if life isn't going the way you think it should, or if you feel overburdened by whatever load you're carrying. Because God still sees you and He still has a plan for you, if you would just take your hands off your eyes.
I'm not saying life isn't hard. Life is hard. It's a constant struggle, especially if you're trying to hide from God or from His plan. And even if you do feel like you missed an opportunity He presented, it's not the end of the road. I believe the path that God has given each of us, the path of our lives is less of a straight path and more of a maze because of all the mistakes and wrong turns we take along the way. But as long as we always end up coming back to Jesus, coming back into His embrace, I believe the ending will be the same.
We need to learn, to re-learn, how to be joyful, especially in the hard times. To be joyful in the hard times I mean to persevere, trusting in God and His plan in our lives. To continue believing, continue to cling to the Rock and trusting His reign over what happens in our lives. It's easy to be joyful in the good times, but in the hard times, it seems so much easier just to walk away.
But we could never, ever walk far enough to where God couldn't see us. To where God couldn't love us. So whatever it is that is holding you back from the joy He gives-whether it be shame, anger, impatience, doubts, stress-don't let that stop you any longer. Don't let your burdens hold you back from who God created you to be. Don't stop believing in the radical love of Jesus, who gave His own life so we could be close to God. Don't give up on the best friend you'll ever have. Don't wander so far the only way God can get your attention is to have you spend three days inside a fish.
Whatever comes, cling to the rock. Trust in Him and live in the joy of His presence. Whatever comes, know that it is well, it is well with your soul because God's got you. He will never let you fall.
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God,for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."
-Psalms 62: 5-8
