God doesn’t want you running on empty. While on earth Jesus modeled going away to refuel and maybe we should too. He regularly went away to a quiet place where He met with God which propelled everything that followed (Mark 1:35). If you are exhausted, come to Him and He will give you rest.
God hasn’t abandoned you. He sees your pain, loneliness, and grief. Even if it feels like He’s forgotten about you, He promises to never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:8). God goes before you and is working in both your present and future in a way that’s not clear yet. Give Him your most honest feelings and questions because He can handle it.
God can handle your feelings. Just as a parent wants their child to come to them when they struggle, God welcomes our questions. He is the safest refuge for our pain and He will meet you with love.
Still waiting on Google Maps to tell me what my college major should be. No one truly has everything figured out. Even the person who meticulously plans their next five steps in life could hit a roadblock at any moment and have to detour. Through it all, God promises to be our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). When you aren’t sure to turn left, right, or turn around, ask the one who knows everything that’s to come before it even happens. It might not sound as clear as the robot in your maps app, but keep asking and following His voice. He won’t steer you wrong.
Those aren’t our vacation destinations. While Jesus was on earth, He gave us the call to tell our city, country, and world about the hope found in Him. These signs represent so much more than a Crossroads Anywhere location, but a community of people growing and changing the world.
Feeling stuck or like something is always blocking you from getting to where YOU want to go? God doesn’t look at your perfection, your past, or your performance to extend his grace and love to you. Take a step back and ask God where He wants you to go and then take action. Whatever your roadblocks are don’t let them stop you from living the full life God wants for you.
God isn’t playing a game of hide-and-seek with us. He’s willing and ready to answer anyone who sincerely seeks Him out. Following this verse, Jesus reminds us even imperfect fathers know how to give their kids good gifts (Matthew 7:8). God knows us better than anyone and with unlimited resources wants to bless us. Take Him at His word, ask, and see what’s on the other side.
The closest Americans get to fortified towers are Ring doorbells. Effective, but not as imposing. In the past, these large stone structures served as a way to alert people in a town of imminent danger so they could find safety and defend the town.
This is what God does for us. In physical vulnerabilities and especially the spiritual, He is a fortress of safety for those in His family. As you choose to trust Him instead of taking the easy, predictable path, He will show up for you.
We’ve all seen the power a good name can have. You rarely see a college application get denied when the applicant shares the same last name as one of the buildings on campus. A good name can open opportunities that weren’t there before. That’s what God offers us: not just some kind of fire insurance, but access to a whole new life (and eternity) of acceptance, power, and love. You can catch the full message from Alli Patterson this weekend. Don't miss it.
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