Doesn’t it seem wearisome trying to maintain a relationship with God, clinging to His word all the while living in a world that say and does the complete opposite? I can’t make sense of it most of the time. It all seems hazy and unclear.

“Protect your heart but don’t imprison it.”

“Love but don’t be unequally yoked”

“Silence, be still but don’t be silent about injustice”

“Go here but don’t go there.”

“Don’t get too comfortable here, this is not your home.” Well, it sure looks like everyone who has the means is getting pretty comfortable.

“Do this but don’t do that!”

The pulling and pushing of it all is sometimes just too much. Where is my safe place? Am I even suppose to feel safe in this world? Nothing is sound but God. The wisdom with which we live the Christian life is learned through the pressures of experience, where we take what we believe and make it our own. In our hearts we know God is with us. I have had times where His Presence has manifested in my life and there is nothing like it. It’s like He is reassuring me “Shannon, I am right here and will always listen and help you.”

It is through those experiences of life that the truth in your heart slowly makes it way to your head. Some days are clear and sunny while others are cloudy and gray. “Keep your eyes on the Master!” I can hear Lysa Terkurst say. “See, the Master knows things we don’t so never ever take your eyes off of the Master.”

I think this is one of the most profound statements” The Master knows things we don’t.” Most often we don’t look at Jesus as a person. We can’t see Him or touch Him. He is quiet and we are loud. We all desire to draw closer to Him but if we are being honest, we fill up our days with other people and tasks. Jesus gets shoved into the background of our busy and hurried lives.

I am learning to become more disciplined when it comes to my relationship with God. I may want to talk to someone about something and would automatically call a close friend. Now I am trying to be more aware that I can talk to God about what’s on my mind.  It’s awkward at first talking to thin air, ha ha! Nevertheless, something shifts and the more you start a conversation, the more it will flow. I find things coming to mind that I wasn’t even initially thinking about. I am giving God my time and in return He is listening like no other. It’s that unseen where we pull back the curtain and have spiritual eyes and ears. I want to seek Him like treasure. I want to cherish our relationship. I want to surrender to His will not my own. My devotion is there but more often than not my desires are far from Him. I want to manipulate His desires towards mine not the other way around. “God, can’t you just take this away?”” God, let’s go this way instead.”

It’s all okay though because as I keep my eyes on the Master, He will continue to do a good work in me.

Remember God can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway. This sounds like an easy assignment but it’s not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing so don’t give up- keep your eyes on the Master, for the Master knows things you don’t

JC