Has 2020 left you feeling a little discombobulated—a little out of sorts? If we are honest, it’s been a year like no other. Your life may seem uncertain and out of balance; leaving you to wonder what the days ahead will look like. However, what seems unclear to our human eye is perfectly orchestrated by God. The truth is God knows. He has a plan and a future for each of us. Don’t lose hope!
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
We need to trust Him and stay in stride with Him. Getting in stride with God means nothing less than oneness with Him. Oneness with God gives us vision and purpose. Fixing your eyes on Jesus will change the atmosphere of the way you look at things.
God’s perspective versus our expectations.
When we walk with God, we will live to seek full consciousness of His presence in our daily life. Allowing Him go before us in all things and trusting every step to His promises given in His word. To walk with God is to understand that God is beside you in each step you take. It is to live in full companionship with our Lord.
But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6;17
Your expectations at the beginning of 2020 may have been: to stick-out a new year’s resolution, accomplish a revised goal, or start a new project. These things are all very important. However, that expectation may have changed drastically when the pandemic hit mid March.
For me, it meant taking a step back and looking through the lens of God’s Word more deeply and seeing life from His perspective. Not that I fully understand His perspective, but clinging to His purpose brought a little more clarity. Clarity of what’s important—love God and others.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:37-39
We all desire and search to truly understand what our purpose in life is. Thankfully as believers in Jesus Christ, that purpose is crystal clear—to know Jesus and emulate His character. When you have Christ, you have everything. Yet, living out this purpose is not as easy as it sounds. The demands of our days and responsibilities can leave us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, in need of refreshed joy.
I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
So my heart rejoices and I am happy; my life is safe.
You will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit.
You lead me in the path of life.
I experience absolute joy in your presence;
you always give me sheer delight.
Psalm 16:8-11 (NET)
The key lies in our ability to embrace His presence by drawing near to Him and experiencing the joy that only Jesus can provide. When you draw near to Him, He will enlighten you with the truths of His word and help change the way you view things.
Yes, The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. There are no exceptions. He will disclose Himself to those who love Him (John 14:21). Look no further than the moment you’re in for the nearness of God, and His presence will go with you through your day.
Stay in stride with Him and He will go before you, walk next to you, and nudge you forward.
Journeying with Him,