"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
I needed to read this today. Father's Day was rough on me this year. I didn't see that coming. But God is (and always has been) a good, good Father to me, so for that I am truly grateful.
It never ceases to amaze me how many times God has to tell His children to not be afraid, but instead to be of a good courage. Life throws so many curves at us. Just when we have one area of our lives tamed, something else kicks off. Or, after years of not struggling with something, suddenly it rears its ugly head again and blind-sides us. Sheesh!
But Monday comes again and we face another week of media flooded with news of attacks, of natural disasters, of pending life-threatening weird diseases, etc. Atop all that, the normal pressures of work, paying bills, trying to feed, clothe, and house our families - life. That's why Jesus came. To simplify things, to take the pressures and the fears, to release us from the overwhelming pressures and cares of this life.
He didn't teach us to neglect these things, but to prioritize them properly. He taught us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added unto us." I can hear someone saying now, "Well, that was easy for Him to say - He didn't have kids, or bills, or the Internet, or..." You are right about that. He didn't. But He did carry the weight of the world on His shoulders. He was facing temptations you and I may never have to face. He was bearing the burdens of the multitudes around Him. He was constantly being pulled on, called upon, touched, petitioned - always surrounded by His disciples (at the very least). Yet He showed us how to "do" life with excellence by always listening for the guiding voice of His Father and only doing what He heard His Father tell Him to do. He spoke only what the Father said, and went where the Father led Him. All through the power of the Holy Spirit within.
Today I would challenge you to do the same. Another Monday is upon us - whatever that means to you (you may be reading this on Thursday). I encourage you to begin cultivating that relationship with God that allows you to hear His gentle voice and sense the inner leading of His Spirit. We won't get it right 100% of the time, but if we can start small - even once - we can learn from that and grow. He never promised that the cross (we bear) would not be heavy, but He promises to always be with us, encouraging us, guiding us, giving us strength. Reach out to Him now.
Be blessed.
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