3 weeks on the Race how wild. I honestly couldn’t tell you if I think it’s flying by or inching by. Other than the fact that the Lord’s creation is SO full of beauty in this place, here’s some thoughts, prayer, comments, all the things.
First my number one prayer that has been saving my life and touching my heart is “show me sweet reminders of your goodness every day” and that my heart would be romanced by His pursuit. And let me just tell y’all whether the sweet reminder is a surprise call from home, a text that makes my day, a clean bathroom, a laughing child, or crashing waves, He has been so faithful to answer. And even when it’s hard, there is no where else that I would rather be.
One of my favorite songs in this season has been “Lay it all down” and my prayer to lay down every frustration, discouragement, fear, anxiety, hurt, pain at the feet of Jesus. He wants it all. Sometimes that’s so much easier said than done. And sometimes the gap between our head and our hearts feels further than I feel from home right now.
I’m linking these podcasts because they are SO SO good (shoutout Jon for putting me on, it’s my new fav) but they are all about getting truth from your head to your heart and big emotions.
The simple sweetness of the Gospel is we get to come to Him and actually get beauty for ashes. He wants more than anything to heal our hearts and take our pains. Let him heal your broken places. So often we don’t allow the Father to touch what really hurts. Until you share whatever false “truth” you’ve been holding, God can’t exchange it for the real truth which is Jesus. For every lie of the enemy, there’s an exchange of His truth. If you say you don’t know where to find God, He’s often in your most broken places.
The only sacrifices the Lord wants from us are thanksgiving (Psalms 50:23) and a broken spirit (Psalms 51:17). He wants us to totally pour our hearts out to Him (Psalms 62:8). One of my teammates this week brought up how David is so honest with the Lord sometimes and how it can feel wrong. I think if we’re really honest, so many of us feel like we can’t be too honest with God because we should be grateful or say the right things or approach Him the right way. But there is no right way. In fact what He wants more than anything it’s your 100% honest.
There’s a gap of intimacy when you hold back. He just wants your heart and it’s all He’s ever wanted. We’re so scared to just be honest with God. He already knows. So say it. Pray it. Yell it. Tell God how you really feel. Because that’s when things shifts. That’s when our hearts start to move, to heal, to be held, to change. In the podcast, they say one of their prayers is “Off with my head and into my heart” and that’s my new anthem. That every single thing I learn about the Lord would not just be a fact to repeat but a truth that transforms my heart from the inside out.
Live in the tension and learn to come to Jesus just as you are. Sitting with the Lord in the depths of your emotions is intimacy. We should all be asking ourselves “Am I living with an open heart before the Lord and the people that matter?” Sensitivity is a gift, it’s tender, it’s His presence. Our tears move the Lord and He bottles every single one. Your own tears wash you and invite you into His presence. So just let your heart break open. Scary I know, trust.
But through it all He is there. Not only is He there… He is pursuing us. Persistent pursuit! He is saying “I’m pursuing you so hard my child and I want you just as you are. Fall into my open embrace that’s just waiting on your surrender. It never needs to be perfect, I just want you. And I love you. I have never forgotten about you. You have always been on my mind, I have always had a plan for you, I have always wanted you. Don’t you see? There will never be a day that my purist ceases, until your dying breath I am after your heart.”
Anyhow… last night we did some washing of feet. It was something that I’ve never done before but it was actually so fun and such a reflection of Jesus. He washed feet and so can we! It makes us closer and teaches us to truly love in humility. The thought that just kept coming to mind was “Thank you for this mosaic of your image bearers.” We all bear His image in a different and unique way and when we come together, we create a beautiful masterpiece. So thankful to be apart of the mosaic that is World Race Squad A!! And what a beautiful picture of Christ it is!
Last little takeaway of the week… one of our ministry hosts this week said “Preach the gospel and if need be, use words.” I just thought it was such a powerful statement that yes, our mouths reveal our hearts, but let your fruit be your proof. Let your life be the proof of Jesus in this world!!!
OPEN MY EYES AND TOUCH MY HEART, TUNE MY HEART TO YOU ALONE, SO SMALL REMINDERS OF YOUR GOODNESS, THAT GENTLY MOVE, AND SOFTLY SPEAK, IS MY DAILY PORTION, AND PORTION IN ABUNDANCE
If you made it this far, I wrote this prayer down a few days ago and it basically summarizes everything I’ve been walking through, praying, etc. so if you wanna come alongside me in prayer feel free!!
“God you are my portion and my bread of life. Show me small reminders of your goodness each and every day. Open my eyes, ears, heart and mind so no reminder of you goes unnoticed and my cup runs over every day. A life with you is one of abundance, never let me forget, even in the moments that are hard and discouraging. Meet me in every single doubt, every single question, every single wondering. Every part that I’m tempted to tuck away or hide or shove down. Help me to come to you with an offering of thanksgiving but also a broken and contrite spirit. I want to come undone before you, before your trusted people. Lord lead my in vulnerability, in openness, in a soft heart. Gently guide me and take my hand, leading me through the hills and valleys. Break down every wall and hold my heart through it all.”
See ya next week!
Podcasts!!! https://youtu.be/WaycnGoes8U, https://youtu.be/HdU0E-HGMM8
This brought tears to my eyes, Alex! God is so good. ✝️
Love ya!
~Auntie Joy