Life's Journey

by Pastor Dan

If you have read some of these articles before, I am sure you have noticed that a lot of them come from real-life experiences. I recently had a conversation, and it turned into what I could describe as a life within a life.  You know, we meet and talk to people every day, and on the outside, they may look like they have it together, but it still amazes me the depth of pain and unforgiveness a person can carry inside and still function to some degree in the world.  I have great compassion for people in this situation, most likely because I was one of them.  Whether we like it or not, believe it or not, every person has a spirit being within them that is made by God.  Every person has a choice on how to nurture that part of their being - it is who they are.  When I decided to nurture the spirit part of me, it meant turning over control of that to the original maker of it, God.  "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

While there can be a lot of changes in a short period of time, this also is a lifelong process.  So if this sounds so simple, why does it seem there are people who say they are nurturing the spirit within them but still live in fear and struggle with unforgiveness?

Some might be reading this and say I am totally crazy.  Some might say, “Have more faith.”  Or some might even say, “I tried that, and it does not work.”  In my life, I have been at all three places.  I know that I cannot convince or demand people to think differently.  Any persuasion must come from the one who made you - God.  

There are some things that hold true across generations and times.  When I was 13 years old, I sat in a church pew and listened to my great-grandfather preach his last sermon at the age of 99.  There are many times since then that I wish I would have listened more carefully with less fidgetiness.  But one thing is certain through what he spoke.  I can know the one who created me, I can find purpose for my life, and find the joy of living.  “The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.” Proverbs 15:14  The mind of the intelligent is God, and if I seek Him, the result is learning to know Him.  Or how about this verse: “The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15  Wisdom can come from those that seek God.  And, finally, what about these verses:  “The Spirit” (meaning the Holy Spirit of God) “also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

I understand the struggle in this world is real.  I understand the challenge to know how to respond to the pain of this physical life, but I also know the joy in this life of seeking and knowing My creator God while living it.  The joy it brings even in the suffering, the peace I am learning even in not understanding it all, and the blessing I get to pass it on from this life cannot be fully expressed in words.  I am forever grateful to those individuals who took the time to help me learn these things so that I can live this life to the fullest and have the freedom to be myself – to be the very person God created me to be.  The greatest question I can ask is:  Have you or are you willing to start the journey?

May God bless you.
-Pastor Dan