Run.... No matter what, run!

It has been an interesting month. I got laid off (again) on February 24th. Although that can be depressing in and of itself, I was blessed to realize that this job was suppose to last 4-5 weeks and instead, the Lord allowed me to work there 14 weeks. He is good, yes, all the time, HE IS GOOD!

Well, facing this layoff, I was thankful that I was able to set back roughly a months worth of income, plus we have our income money, although we would really love to use it to get things fixed around the house. So, the search for new employment begins immediately.

The unforunate thing is, here it is, 1 month later, no bites, no leads, and now, no savings, just cutting into the income money. I must admit, I am a little frustrated, yet, I do realize this is the Lord's provision at this time. Yes, I will continue to look for work, and yes, the Lord will provide work for me, it's in His time, it's in His hands, and honestly, that's what's best!

In this season, we have been blessed greatly. We have been blessed with gifts, in ways we could have never imagined, invented or created for ourselves. God'e economy is the best economy, and unfortunately, for some of us, it takes seasons like these to realize it, or at least appreciate it.

Well, another thing hit me during this season, that was the passing of my grandmother, she passed away on March 16th. We held her services on March 19th, and buried her on my birthday, March 20th. It was a blessing. Talking to those who knew her better than I, confirming what I knew of her. She is now more alive, as she is beholding the face of Glory Himself. As the pastor shared during the service, she's not dead, Jesus TOOK HER! Wow, that was perhaps the most powerful sermon I have ever heard.

With all of this going on and the lack of finding employment, I found myself struggling. In these times, I am realizing just how weak and vile I am. Thoughts of doubt, anxiety, fear, and even anger are filling my mind, ready to consume me. I am just so weak. My mind is clouded, I struggle at leading my family because my mind is not clear, it feels as if I could just hide under a rock and everything would be ok, but I know it is not.

You know, it always amazes me at how faitful God is. He loves me. He showed that love by Christ's death on the cross and even more so since the Holy Spirit dwells inside of me. So in these times when I can not utter a prayer to God, the Holy Spirit interecedes for me, expresses what I can not and Christ intercedes by expressing that to the Father. Another way God is so faithful to us is by His Word. In my self pity, I was blessed to read this passage: Hebrews 11:1-12:2.

This is just an incredible passage. You should take time to read. Don't just skip over the list of people, read, reflect, chew on it. It is liberating. At least it was for me. As I read, I did just that: read, reflected, and chewed upon each account, and was simply in awe. Now, my season compares not to those you will read about, nevertheless, I was encouraged. Look at verse 32:

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women recieved back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy-- wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:32-38 ESV

Wow. I'm just trying to find a job and having a pity party. Really puts things into perspective, huh? Well, the amazing thing is the account doesn't finish there.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God has provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11:39-12:2

Glory, Glory Halleluah!!! That's it, isn't it. We CAN run with endurance the race that is before us, much like the cloud of witnesses did whatever was set before them, simply because what was set before Jesus and what He did. The cross was set before Him. He didn't cry, He didn't worry, there were no doubts, no figuring out a better way, a different plan, no, He counted it as joy, endured the nastiness, the vileness, the wickedness of the cross, despised it's very shame and sat at the right hand of the Father. Yes! Yes! Yes! So, though it is a rough season for my flesh. This season that is set before me, I will run, no matter what, I will run to the author and perfecter of my faith. He is my strong tower, if I run in to Him, I am safe. I pray that I am found at my earthly passing, that I was running to Jesus at a 100mph! How about you?