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A Note to Those Who Struggle

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A Note to Those Who Struggle on the Path

The path.

 In Genesis 5: 24, in the midst of a chapter that is basically a genealogical record of  descendants of the family of Adam, that tells how old a bunch of men from the same family were when they died, we find this somewhat mysterious verse: 

“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

It’s been something I’ve thought about for years – a life goal, if you will,  to be like Enoch. My heart longs to have it said of me that I “walked faithfully with God”, like Enoch did. But it’s a goal I despair of reaching, sometimes.

When you wrestle with life enough, sometimes you feel like you’re barely progressing. Rather than experiencing forward movement, it’s as if you’re barely crawling on all fours down here on The Path. You’re stuck, it seems, in the same spot that’s tripped you up for years. You feel like you’re not going anywhere.  And even if you were, why would God ever choose to walk with a muddy straggler like you?

When I look at myself, here’s what I often see: I’m that one who keeps stubbing her toe on life’s hard questions, tripping, falling, and then uttering the occasional expletive as I hit the ground again.

But no: it’s not like that.

God sees what I’m struggling with. He knows what I’m going through. He is patient with my frailties and failings.

God already likes me, and that’s got nothing to do with the mile marker I’ve reached on The Path. He loves me. He WANTS to walk with me.

He’s already cleaned me up. He’s given me His own robe of righteousness to wear. (See Isaiah 61:10 if you don’t believe me.)

“Come. Let’s go for a walk today,” He says.

Lift my eyes, Lord, away from just myself. Raise them up, off of the dirt I’ve stumbled into, down here on The Path. Refocus my gaze onto You: the One who extends His Hand to me in grace, daily. Open my ears to hear the Voice of the One who warmly and lovingly invites me to share Life with Him. Real life. Abundant life. Life to the full.

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A Note to Those Who Struggle Along the Path

A Note to Those Who Struggle Along the Path

 

michele

Monday 26th of June 2017

Beautifully written. I can't help but think that all the falling is refining us, strengthening us, and increasing our courage each time we rise. Thanks for this. :)

Julia

Monday 26th of June 2017

We keep on getting up ... and moving on...and that is part of the journey. <3

Susan Williams

Monday 26th of June 2017

Yes, and amen, Julia!

Judy

Thursday 22nd of June 2017

Thank you Susan. I need this reminder every day! The struggle begins before I get out of bed, but your reminder changes my view immediately.

Susan Williams

Monday 26th of June 2017

I can relate, dear Judy!