Recently, I went for a hike with some of my really close sibling-like friends, and we were walking down this trail that eventually forked. As we were walking and were coming near the fork in the road, something suddenly hit me. My friends and I are traveling the our spiritual journey together. No matter what goes on, no matter how rocky the road may become, we've stayed on the path together, and we're walking it together. One picture I've always had of us, since the day I became really close with them, is this. The silhouetted forms of my brothers, Lukey and Jesse, and my sister, Sary, and I walking along our our journey, with are arms around each other, and walking towards our destination - the Kingdom of Heaven - and to our Father. For some reason that picture has implanted itself into my mind. And, it's no lie either. As the months have past, I see how much we are growing together, both in our faith and in life. We help each other, support each other, give each other the encouragement that one of us or all of us may need, and truly and purely treat each other as siblings in God. Even when we become weak, and get to a point where we aren't sure if we can keep going, God uses all of us to pick each other up, and help us to keep going.
God knew our journey wasn't going to be easy. And he knew that we'd need people to help us along the journey. And, so he's created us to help one another, and more so to help each other to bare the burdens we are given. :)
Also, God has given us each other to help us in our walks with him. Sometimes we are walking side by side, and other times I notice that we take one another by the hand and push them closer to God. It's really incredible when you think about it! God uses us to help each other grow closer to him! :D I find that incredible! In my life, I've had quite a few times where friends have "taken me by the hand" and led me to God, because they knew he would and could help me the best. I've done that with friends too. I think that is the most incredible way to help someone, although, I have to admit I enjoy helping them more than that if I can. :) However, from my own experiences, i know that going to God with stuff is the ultimate best. Sometimes he talks through friends and family, and then other times he'll talk to you directly. I find that that usually happens when I feel like I'm constantly complaining about stuff to friends, when I'm just having an awful week verbally, and also just when I don't feel like talking to anyone or am afraid to incase I say the wrong thing. I can't say I haven't been that way with him, otherwise I'd be lying, but when it comes down to it, especially in these times God is the most incredible person to talk to, and he knows you and your heart better than ANYONE ever could, so he knows exactly where to help you. :)
Tonight, I've been having a rough night. It was one of those times when I just felt like a good portion of the world was crashing down on me, and so I found myself running to God. I pictured him scooping me up in his arms, and just craddling me, telling me things will be alright. He also said some other stuff, and that was the most comforting. Songs and verses in the Bible quite frequently talk about how God is our refuge in the storm and in times of trial. This I know is SO true! When life feels like it's falling down, or a ragging storm, he's the one you can run to, to find the comfort and the security you need. He's truly our refuge!
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
"1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139
I hope you all have a fantastic week/weekend, and if anyone would like prayer, don't hesitate to drop me a comment. I'd be happy to pray for you!
I love you all as my brothers and sisters in Christ!
Shalom! (Peace)
Amar tu hermana en Cristo,
Sarah
~ " Be devoted to each other in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourself." Romans 12:10 [NIV] ~