embrace -- to take or receive gladly or eagerly; to accept willingly

God's pretty great, ya know?! 

Last night I heard an amazing message about embracing the wilderness; the hard times you're in. I wanted to share a little of the message and what I got from it. It's just too good not to share! 

Dusty, who gave the message, is the Campus Crusade speaker here at UAB. He's great! He always teaches straight from the Word and I respect that so much. 

SO, he talked about embracing where God has you now and, in the meantime, clinging to the cross. 

Something that I know I constantly lose sight of. 

He mentioned how between life now and Christ's return there will be wilderness, without a doubt, but that we shouldn't put the I-didn't-get-what-I-wanted's on God. Instead, dive into His word and let THAT give you perspective. Be lead by the Spirit and not by this world. 

Being reminded of this is so important because during our hard times we are tempted to ask God, "why didn't you give me that job at ____?", "why didn't I get that house I wanted?!", "why don't I have a significant other yet?!" These are all completely normal questions/emotions to have, but really we should be praying, "Lord, let your kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." 

God promises us many things -- to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), to never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), He died for our sake (Romans 5:8) -- but He never said, "I promise you, Kathryn, that you'll be living in :insert any country here: once you graduate college..." Yes, He says He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), but He doesn't necessarily give us specifics. And that's part of the whole future deal. Living in the unknown is SO hard -- I'm majorly struggling with it right now, but because of His promises, I know there's no need to worry. Doesn't make it any easier sometimes, but sometimes it does. : ) 

Then, this is where I was really convicted, but in such a good way. Dusty talked about not going to the cross for a quick fix, instead embracing the process. He challenged us to pray that God would make unreal, supernatural moves in our lives, and not pray demand things, especially when we're demanding them to happen our own terms. The Lord is going to provide what You need -- heck, He knows most what we need. But, let's work on trusting God and let Him deliver His amazing gifts to us on HIS timing. It's SO much more worth it that way. 

Tonight, a friend send me this from the devotional "Jesus Calling" and it was on point! 

“I am leading you, step by step, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy—even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion; doubting My promises to you. Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me. I will show you the next step forward, and the other after that, and the one after that. Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.” 

I hope this is as encouraging to you as it was to me. 

I'm still learning to embrace the process, but I feel I'm getting there -- step by step. 

Good night to the people that actually read my blog. : ) Loves. 

“Be still my heart and know
 -- You are God alone
. Stop thinking so much
 and just let go!” -- Bethel Music "Be Still"