Sometimes you just need a sentence to start a blog, and I can’t think of one right now so I’m writing this.
Glad I got that out of the way.
Life is weird and hard. I think of all that is going on in my life, in the lives of my friends, in the lives of my family, in the lives of my friend’s families, and it’s just hard. Sure, some things are harder than others, but as a whole, life is not easy.
As a follower of Jesus it’s often difficult for me to sit in the hard things, in the unknown, and trust God. Sure, I trust that He has granted me eternal life through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; however I don’t always trust that He’s got my day-to-day laid out as neatly as I would like for Him to.
As a friend and I recently discussed – sure God, we’re on board with you being in control and having the reins of our lives, but could you just tell us where we’re going? Maybe drop a line with a heads up on which train station we’re about to pull in to?
And then…I open up tonight’s psalm.
I’m just gonna give you a couple verses, but you can read the whole thing here.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (v1)
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple. (v4)
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (v14)
As much as I would love to know where God is taking me in the next 5 months, 5 years, 10 years, etc. – I don’t have to know the details to be confident that He will take care of me. He is my light and salvation. He is my stronghold.
Not marriage.
Not a job.
Not friendships.
Not personal happiness.
He is.
And you know what cures that discontentment? Gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. Oh that my heart’s desire would be Him and Him alone!
I can’t imagine how peaceful my little beating heart would be if the one thing I sought after in this life was to dwell in the house of the Lord. Instead, I waste my time seeking after comfort, approval, momentary satisfaction – all things that can’t sustain.
And then, we get to the end.
The word “strong” here in the original Hebrew means: to fasten upon.
It doesn’t mean physical strength. It’s not telling me to go lift some more at the gym. To get swole for Jesus.
It is telling me to fasten myself to the Lord. To wait for Him while I’m attached to Him.
I don’t know where the next steps of my life will take me. But gosh darn it, I’m going to latch myself like a sloth on a branch to God and just enjoy the ride.
Kayla Smith 