YOU ARE NOT ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN!!

Have you ever felt like you were on the outside looking in? Face pressed against the windowpane intently watching and wishing you were a part of what was happening? Have you ever been the soul stripped bare? Watching as people smile, connect, and live around you? Eyes lifted up and heart bowed low. Have you ever poured your life into something only to have all of your dreams shattered? I have and it hurts.....

WE know that God promises to work ALL things together for the good of those that He called according to HIS purpose and conform us into the image of Christ. When pain and turmoil strike the soul and circumstances don’t match to what you think they should. What is your response? Do you allow bitterness and anger (which defiles others around) to engulf you? Do you add up your losses? Or do you turn your eyes to the Maker of heaven and earth, trusting that somehow; He is going to use this, YES THIS, to conform you more into His image. 

If there is one thing that I have learned in the past couple of years of my life; it is to hold everything loosely, yet delicately. It All belongs to Him so it has value..... Also, God is not here to fulfill our expectations. That might sound harsh and I truly don’t mean for it to. This is what He has shown me to be true; that His ways are higher than our ways, and His understanding so much higher than our understanding. If He directs, moves, and cuts ties to the place your dreams were born; how tightly will you grip? If He leads you in another direction, will you follow? Can you stand outside of yourself with a span so much broader than your limited view and see a Kingdom being built for His glory. Soul stripped I write this and cling to His promises. 

If He is for me who could ever be against me? That He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask, that He has plans not to harm us, but rather for a future and a hope. 

So where do we go from here?

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

(Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

(Psalm 51:12 ESV)

The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.

(Proverbs 16:9 ESV)

It has been hard to realize that I was never on the outside looking in rather being prepared for a new work. God is interested in conforming us into His image. Let me be the first to say that this is not the easiest place to be but it is the very best place to be. Simply clay in the potters hands.