Rhythm is such a curious thing. It can be found all throughout the Bible, in the counting down of days to celebrations and festivals, as well as in days of remembrance for what God had done for His people. It is also found in the way we are restored, strengthened, and grown. Many of us love to dance to the rhythm of our favorite songs and jingles. Yet, I would say that chances are, if you’ve ever gone down memory lane of hit songs from the 90’s, you’ve likely forgotten many of the songs you used to wait to hear on the radio (if you didn’t already own them to be played over and over all day long in your home or car). Could it be possible we do the same with our Lord and Savior?
Recently, I’ve had a few friends reach out to me to tell me they are struggling in their faith. They just don’t know if this God thing is for them anymore. They are now searching in other areas of their lives, trying to find joy, happiness, and contentment. Confused, I recounted all the times these friends have prayed for me, all the times they had put into perspective for me the spiritual battle we were fighting, or even the times they offered encouraging words about who God is and who I am because of Him.
Revelation 2:4 “But I have this against you, that you left your first love.”
Have you ever asked yourself how much you mean to the Creator? Have you ever wondered just how fearful and wonderful He created you to be? God cares about every detail of your life. He thinks about you countless times a day. He knows the number of hairs on your head. And, He knew you before you were in your mother’s womb. Let’s dig deeper. The enemy, the Devil, KNOWS how fearfully and wonderfully you have been made. Every one of us is crafted with gifts and talents to shine into this world, wherever we are. This is highly dangerous. You are highly dangerous.
How is it we drift? First, I want you to know, friend, drifting isn’t so much conscious as it is subconscious. It’s a slow process, like relaxing on a float tube in the river. You barely notice how slowly you seem to edge on. Suddenly, you look up to find you have gone terribly far and can barely make out the party you were once so close to. Making a choice to relax, float, and enjoy the river is not the same as making a choice to drift away from everyone. We all know the saying, “The pathway to hell is paved with good intentions.” It is not enough to have good intentions.
We must remember who we are and where we are going.
We are children of God.
We are the light and salt of the earth.
We are to be truth and love.
Have you ever heard someone say, “You may be the only Jesus someone will ever know”? Are we living this way? Are we remembering the Word of God? Are we repenting and turning to our Father in heaven? Secondly, friend, I want to encourage you to have grace for yourself in this: you will fail, you will fall, you will have trials and tribulations. We all will. It is promised. But, you will get back up again. It is the season and rhythm of life and learning.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Remember the times you have fallen and gotten back up. Remember the times you’ve healed or grown after so much pain or waiting. There is not always a clear reason, but God can bring purpose to anything, never wasting a hurt. Trust in the rhythm of valleys, mountain peaks, (and my favorite), green pastures. Do you believe there is a land flowing with milk and honey waiting for you? We must not look to our own understanding but trust in His great understanding. We all have a rhythm of growth within us, and a path to walk that is our own great race.
1 Peter 5:10 “And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
I want to leave you with a prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for all who may read this while feeling worthless, set aside, or hopeless. Mighty One, I know You are a God who loves His children so deeply You saved them, (all of us really), from sin and death. May You be the honored King of kings. I humbly ask, in the name of Jesus, that to anyone who may read this prayer, You would give eyes to see, ears to hear, a softened heart, and Your peace and knowledge that far surpasses all understanding. Reveal Your will for our individual callings, gifts and talents we may not know or understand. May we truly know You and Your Word, both written and spoken, that we may glorify You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
By: Alora Yee
