During a recent "Night of Worship" at our church, Bay Area First Baptist Church, a song by Michael W. Smith spoke to my soul. The song is Draw Me Close, specifically the line "You're all I've ever needed" really worked on me and confirmed much that God has been challenging me with over the past few months. For the first time in my professional career, I've been challenged by the lack of success. Not to say that I haven't experienced ups and downs and your everyday challenges, but for the most part everything has gone well. Since January my group has been severely challenged due to a poor strategy by the group that brought me in. I take things very personal, so this has been extremely stressful for me. When we moved to Houston, both Julie and I felt this is where God was leading us. So for me to be stressed, not trusting Him was contrary to what we know God means for good.
I know I've mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating. I've tried to find joy in being successful playing golf, running, in my career, and other things in this world. This also has been discouraging as I'm not as "successful" as I would like. So God being God has been working on me and this line "You're all I've ever needed" confirmed my convictions. Romans 8:6 "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." This is the answer to my struggles. He is life and peace, nothing in this world can take that place. He promised to those who trust in His Son Jesus, eternal, abundant life (The abundance is not health, wealth, and prosperity). That life starts at accepting Him as savior, John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." The thief was trying to steal my joy.
So my prayer is that through His word, through prayer, through encouragement from my amazing wife and through partnering with the body of Christ God has placed us in, I will find life and peace. And that is my prayer for you, fellow believer. Trust in Him, not the world. And for you, non-believer, I pray you will find eternal life in Christ Jesus.
