What Used to Be

The sun was blazing hot just before midday, but that wasn’t going to stop us.  We are family of conquerors, or so we tell ourselves when on vacation.  The park was not too crowded. More hikers were coming down, than going up.  We should have seen the signs.

This mountain was tougher to climb than what it looked.

The views were astounding. I couldn’t wait to make it to the top, pause, breathe deep, and take in God’s glory. Before heading back down we’d snap a family selfie and add it to our list of we’ve done that. But halfway up, I couldn’t breathe. Shouting from down the mountain, I sent them to the top without me. “Leave me behind, I can’t make it.”  Never had I given up the climb. But this time was different. I could not make it. The physical challenge was too much. Heartbroken, I shared what little shade I could find with a sweet elderly couple.

I used to be strong enough. I used to be tougher than this. Before lupus, I used to be able to climb mountains. I used to be is a phrase that has played over in my mind since the diagnosis. I’ve asked why. I’ve asked what now. But God’s answer is always the same.

Just trust me.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 

The Bible is filled with people who started life-changing journeys with loss.  Joseph lost his freedom, Ruth lost her husband, Job lost it all. But they didn’t give up.  In their faithful pursuit of God they discovered God is always at work for the good of his children.  Their stories give us hope.

Through suffering and difficult circumstances, God makes changes – in us. He takes what used to be, and replaces it with something new that draws us closer to him. It is for our good and for his purpose.

Joseph used to be a slave then became the ruler of Egypt. Ruth went from widowed and wandering to be the great-grandmother of Jesus. God restored Job’s family, health and wealth as he finally gave up control of the uncontrollable and grew closer to Him.  Their stories, their lives, give us hope. God is writing your story too.

Just trust Him.

Through trials, testing and pain, God is at work. He’s not just working in this world. He is working in us, in you and in me.

If we dig deeper into the lives of Joseph, Ruth and Job, we find it takes more than trust.  We must be willing to let God do whatever he needs in our life to make us into whoever we are meant to be.

Don’t you want to be the person God created you to be?

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

It’s tough. There are days when I still struggle with letting go of what used to be.  But, because we know that God is trustworthy, we can live each day with great expectations that our lives are being made new.

Trusting God is easier said than done when you are on the front line of the battlefield.  When I begin to doubt, I remember. I remember Joseph, Ruth and Job.  I remember that God is with me through every hurt, every fear and every pain.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:2

I don’t know what your battle is, but I do know that God is with you. He will comfort you and he will strengthen you. When you think you can’t do it any more, be encouraged. He wants to walk with you every step of the way. Just trust him.