Drought or Rain Poor?

   It is amazing to me how during the tough times our eyes get opened. It is however, usually after we get on down the road that we realize what God was doing. I feel like every Christian sometimes goes through a period of what I would call a "drought". A time when you feel like you aren't progressing and growing in your walk with Christ. I know that I've felt like this many times. Only later I realized that it wasn't a "drought" at all. God was really shooting down some rain harder than I can even grasp. And I don't mean real rain, I mean he was putting me in situation after situation trying to get me to fight back and overcome what I was going through.

        I believe God tests us sometimes, to see our true faith or really for us to see our true faith, because he does already know the outcome.. When times come and we feel like we don't know where to turn and what to do that's when we need to be dependent on God to show us the way and to never stop praying. Even if you feel like he's not hearing you, he is. Without prayer you will begin to slip and probably slip a lot further than you had ever intended. 

        I'll be the first to admit that it is so easy to get caught up in what's going on in the world, and how it's easy to be more like the world than be more like Jesus. We are faced with everyday peer pressure and influences where sometimes you feel like you need to fit in. To be honest that's not what we're here for. God created us for one purpose that is to be a light in this world and to make disciples for Jesus. It is so amazing to me because God didn't need us, he could work out his design all on his own but instead he chose us to be a part of it. We are always looking for, and I know I do this daily, look for validation and acceptance from the people around us. We aren't here to impress them, were here to influence them. I know it's easier said than done but being an example and witnessing to people doesn't have to be an extravagant, crazy thing. It can be holding a door, or smiling at someone, asking them how their day is going ( and really meaning it).. It can be helping with the chores without being told (lol I need to do this more), not arguing back when you get in trouble. It can be simple things like that that let people know you're different. Being a humble, happy follower of Jesus will make others want what you have. Whether you believe that's true or not. 

     I want people to understand, both Christians and non christians that becoming a Christian isn't going to make your life perfect or make you do the right thing every single time you're challenged. But being a Christian does however, give you the opportunity to fall deeply in love with the only person ever to be eligible to take away the death of sin of all people. It gives you access to the Lord and Savior of the world and everyone in it. It lets you know that no matter how hard life gets that with Jesus holding your hand that there is hope and you do have a future. (Jeremiah 29:11). You will fall short and mess up but that won't ever change Gods love for you. 

     I hope that people realize that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about being transported to Heaven. It's about being transformed by the blood of the lamb. Walking with God does that to your life and to your heart, if you let him. If you truly fall in love with the son you will see that everything you go through and every hard time you face is just an opportunity to grow closer to Him. I know that everyone goes through different things and some may be more painful than others but I do know that whatever you're going through now, have went through, or will go through that God has a purpose for it. I also know that you are not the only one struggling with whatever it is. You can do one of two things with your battles, let them destroy you and mess up your life or use them to help someone else get through it. I personally recommend the second option. You really don't know the difference you can make in someone life until you do it. So quit being shy and talk to people. 

    If you do or you don't know Jesus, you are in my prayers. I pray for the one that doesn't know Jesus that he will allow people to come into your life and to be a true example of the Gospel. To love you on the days you don't even love yourself and to be there to wipe your tears and put a smile on your face. And I'll pray that you will not think bad of Jesus when you see a Christian mess up. We are still human and every one is going to make mistakes, that's the purpose of Jesus dying for us was to wipe us clean of those sins. To the Christian, I pray that you will be that example. To be a light in someones life and to never stop believing and to trust in God to keep your path straight. I pray that you won't be influenced by what the world is doing but to be the rare influence to the world. To never back down and to always stand up for the truth of The Gospel. Don't ever let your mistakes break you, use them to help someone else. I pray that you will be a giver, a lover, a listener. And so much more. Don't ever stop praying and always trust God because he will never lead you wrong. I also pray all of those things for myself, because I know that I'm just as imperfect as anyone else..