No matter what comes my way I cannot stop trying. Trying to be Strong enough, Beautiful enough, Smart enough… I am not enough.
But that is precisely why Jesus came. He is More powerful than any doubt, More dazzling than any treasure, More intelligent than any plan. It is not about trying but trusting For He is enough.
“Therefore since we have justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Reconciliation
Broken. No matter what I do I end up hurting or being hurt, If anyone could see the true color of my heart They would turn a cold shoulder and never look back.
But Jesus never turned His back. He faced betrayal so I could know acceptance. He became broken so my heart could be made whole. He loved me to the end so I can love others without end.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10
Regeneration
My heart is made of stone. Unpenetrable. Cold. Unchanging. Will the fears of my soul always have control? Not if I give control to You. You remove the stone and replace it with joyful obedience. Now I can follow You in Peace Joy Faith With a heart full of hope. I’m no longer paralyzed by “what if’s” but comforted by what is.
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5
Redemption
I can’t get out, The trap of my sin enslaves me. Every inch forward brings two steps back. I cannot beat this master.
But Jesus can. He became the very sin I hate to set me free. He abolished slavery, giving me not just hope, But a home. I forever have a seat at the Father’s table, Because my Savior Jesus welcomes me.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…” Galatians 3:13
“For I know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value.” I Peter 1:18
At the sixth-month mark, there was no hiding it, Everyone could tell I was with child. I was nervous to go out, I admit. Some women clapped and smiled, Others looked confused and surprised (their faces made me laugh just a bit). I cherished those five months alone, but— I realized others needed to see Yahweh’s faithfulness wasn’t just for me.
And while I received encouragement from friends No one could quite relate until— Until Mary walked through my door. Then my soul began to celebrate. I was not alone in the blessing I bore! The greatness of this story was about to extend, And at the sound of sweet Mary’s voice, The son in my womb kicked and rejoiced.
It’s hard to put into words Because I know it sounds a little absurd. But in that instant, I knew, My son would prepare the way for the One Mary bore Our people’s hope was about to come true.
God chose another unlikely woman To receive His undeserved favor. I reveled in His kindness once again. As this mystery unfolded, her faith never wavered.
The three months she stayed in my care I count as precious memories without compare. It was almost as if she was my own, A daughter who needed comfort in the unknown. Many wouldn’t understand, Undoubtedly, rumors would grow secondhand,
But I cherished hearing her recount the news of the most heavenly meeting And the grace-filled greeting, Which no one could refuse. The Son of the Most High Would be born to the Jews. Yahweh both heard and answered our cries.
Mary’s faith challenged my own Reciting prophets, covenants, and psalmists, The Word formed her very backbone. And her countenance was calmest When she sang her praise-filled song. God’s purpose had been there all along.
Growing up, I was well-known, Being from the line of Aaron Every marriage and birth was a celebrated milestone; No one ever breathed the word “barren.”
When Zechariah and I married, We spoke of our hopes and dream, Even how many years would pass between Each boy and girl I would wean.
Of course, the first boy would be Zechariah, Then we thought of Elijah and Josiah, Boys who would learn the prophecies of the Messiah. And then Abigail, Deborah, even Hannah, Girls who’d learn how God provided with divine manna.
But when ten years of marriage passed, Sadness and fear loomed more and more. Could barrenness be what God had in store? That’s the question I never wanted to ask: What had I done wrong? I tried to follow His ways all along.
Each morning we knelt on our knees, Begging Yahweh to hear our plea. As I waited, I thought of our people Longing for the Deliverer to set us free.
From others, I hid my tears of lament. Yet I wondered at the LORD’s intent. Would I trust the hand of my God When everything in life seemed terribly flawed? Every day I had a choice: To live in despair or listen to truth preached from the prophets of old. Would I believe all they foretold?
I did my best to make peace with my lot, Tried not to let the looks of pity or judgment pierce. Still— Some days I felt like God’s blind spot.
The Maker does things just as He ought. The clay cannot say “Why did you make me this pot?” Though, my people have a history of that very thinking. So when my sisters welcomed grandchildren home Yahweh’s promises kept me from sinking. Even as tears welled when I sat all alone
When Zechariah came home that day, I knew something extraordinary had occurred. He grabbed his tablet to display The message from Gabriel, every single word.
As I read “Elizabeth will bear a son,” My heart was completely undone. What if our waiting hadn’t been misplaced? What if our delays would bring unspeakable grace? (verse slide) After a few months, it became clear The impossible was our reality, God was melting away my fear And hope came to life that year.
I kept to myself for a few months more, Delighting in the unfolding of this wondrous gift. I felt God’s favor like never before, The clouds of silence were about to lift.
There’s a story that stands out from the rest. And it’s one I like to hear best, For never was there a friendship like Naomi and Ruth, Founded on acts of selflessness and truth.
Doubt led the family to sojourn far From the land of their own community. The promises of Yahweh felt below par, And faithless disobedience sowed disunity. They abandoned all they knew, Somehow hoping to make do.
While doing right in their own eyes, Ruth joined this family in distress, Not knowing how she would impact their lives With her bold, unmatched kindness.
Then, heartache struck without end, One by one, their men were no more. Without children to depend and defend, Barrenness was the gift God had in store.
Yet Ruth did not melt in despair. Instead of fretting about a new mate, She committed her life to Naomi’s care, Trusting Yahweh would see to their fate. Bitterness nor silence changed her mind. She knew what to do with her time.
Unassuming and unnoticed, she walked out the door. God-fearing trust led her to the field, Believing someone would heed the law for the poor, She had no idea the harvest Providence would yield.
Boaz took notice of her tireless labor And provided for her mother-in-law’s care. Her obedience gained this man’s favor, Yet they were both unaware How their unlikely conversation Would bring hope to countless generations.
At this news, Naomi’s bitterness turned aside, Perhaps Yahweh had not forsaken her forever. With Ruth, she began to converse and confide As God began to weave all the pieces together.
This time Naomi stepped out with determination, Seeking rest and comfort for her dear friend. “All you say I will do” Ruth replied, no hesitation. Then all that unfolds is hard to comprehend.
Boaz became her cherished husband, Carrying on the name of the deceased. A man of character on whom she could depend, For God’s handiwork had never ceased.
All the details lined up just right. Naomi’s friendship with her daughter-in-law Showed God’s redemption had never been out of sight. The union of this couple had the whole town in awe.
Naomi helped Ruth find her new home, Where she took on the roles of wife and mother. The whole family experienced God’s shalom. Truly, their friendship was like no other.
God’s redemption felt hidden behind the clouds. Dark days that seemed to never end. But God had a purpose in what He allowed, His harvest is one that transcends Every doubt we conceive And every trial we grieve.
This is the beauty of their story, Their friendship revealed God’s glory. For He is the Friend that stands out from all the rest He is the one who loves each of us best.
A small word that starts a simple question. But add if, and we create a whole world of tension. We build these collections of unknowns Founding the most unwanted, unwelcomed conditions.
We ask ourselves questions like…
What if the answer never comes, or what if it’s the dreaded outcome? What if I stay invisible in the background? What if my load causes me to drown? What if my waiting never ends? What if that friendship never mends? What if the healing never appears? What if my path is lonely and unclear? What if ALL my hopes lead to utter disappointment? WHAT IF?
Oh my friends, Our questions require a keen adjustment. Replace the f with an s and you’ll find That the Father teaches us a different composition. What IS far outweighs the what-if position In Christ, what is gives life new definition.
As a treasured possession of our Creator, He chose us with unprompted favor. He marked out our path before the horizon of time. He loved us first, without reason or rhyme. When we trust Him, He redeems us forever from our rebel endeavors. God trades our sin for Christ’s perfection, gracing us with such kind intentions. He gives us a glorious inheritance as our hearts become His permanent residence.
So when those what-ifs creep at our door, Who He is will always promise more.
What if the answer never comes? He is right beside me. His presence never disappears. What if to others I remain invisible? He is in my corner. Forgotten by Him? Impossible. What if my efforts come up short? He is my advocate, declaring me clear in heaven’s court. What if my waiting never ends? He is my unwavering strength, the truest of friends. What if the healing never comes and I end my days alone? He is my unchanging goodness, my sure cornerstone.
My friends, don’t you see? No matter the question, the privilege of Christ is always worth the price. What is forever outweighs the what-if position For Christ IS life’s true definition.
Should I go left or should I go right? If I go left I’ll be in a place strange and new. If I turn right, some people will put up a fight. How? How will I know what to do?
If I keep on straight, will life stay the same, Or if step back will my plans go up in flames?
I think so deeply about my actions, I am blinded to these pondering distractions, Terrified my choices will be made in error. When did I forget I am an image-bearer?
I may be a writer, a friend, and many other things. But these simply surface what people see. The fact is I am a child of the King. How quickly I forget this royal decree.
When I placed my trust in Christ years ago, He claimed me as His very own. Each day He delights in helping me grow. Each care and worry to Him is known.
Who is this King on mine?
He was there when it all began. The heavens and billions of stars? Yes, that was Him—all part of His plan, As was the beautiful creation of man.
Adam and Eve tried to de-god the true God, And although their choice left an everlasting stain, The promised Son would bear the brunt of the rod, Sacrificing Himself to free man from sin’s chain.
He has been present in every page of history. No chapter has ever surprised Him. Every line of what was, is, and will be is part of His story. His faithfulness is the chorus of our lifelong hymn.
Each year brings the both/and, Both reasons to celebrate the joys of blessings And seasons to lament unbearable testings. Still, He is the Father who always extends His hand.
He rejoices with me in the days of sun And weeps with me in the shadow of sorrow. His work is never done. His kindness is the sunrise of all my tomorrows.
In Him, all things hold together, He holds my hand no matter the weather. So when it comes to deciding to go left or right, Anxiety flees, for He is my guiding Light.
Crossroads will come throughout my days, But when I walk hand in hand with my King, My worries begin to fade. Walking with Him is everything.
