I can honestly say I have found His true, abundant life! When my focus is here:
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
This verse from Matthew 16 came tonight as a relief and comfort after saying bye to Mom and Dad after an awesome 10 days together. It was great to share my world with them and watch them experience it all. It doesn't make it any easier, but it does anchor my soul with a hope that is indescribable. It allows me to see THROUGH any sadness and difficulty even if I don't move immediately out of it. What can else can one do in response to this but FOLLOW? It doesn't make sense to the world that we (my parents, brother, sister, and I) would live to far apart, but what if he has us apart to ultimately draw more into the family for ETERNITY?! Is it WORTH it?! YES x 100000000, YES! What if our TRUE family (TRUE meaning that which is of the Sprit, that which LASTS) looked like this:
or this:
If what we are ultimately going towards is THIS:
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Rev. 7)
Then why not live it now- this is THE bigger story that all our lives are being woven into. THIS is what He has made us for: WORSHIP!
Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
This is God's economy...
Matthew 19:
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Thanks, Mom and Dad, Jack and Grace, for enduring and for blessing me to go and praying for me to return... it means so much to me! Thanks for promising to trust Him in the meantime- IN HIS PRESENCE IS THE FULLNESS AND WHOLENESS THAT COMES FROM HIS JOY!!!
Katie B!!! This blog entry made me cry!!! I love you!!! Thank you for your obedience and passion! You are an inspiration!