I just read my last post from July 2014. I forgot that I wrote about that struggle. And today, that is no longer my forefront struggle. People change so much, every year, but Jesus doesn't. That's why all my hope is placed in Him. What good would it be if He changed too?
My constant reminder from the Spirit of Jesus is to tell people that God is FOR us, not against us. So many see Him as a kill-joy, a genie that didn't grant their wish, or a judge who loves to point his finger in their face.
I don't know Jesus to be any of those things.
He gave us rules, yes, but those are to protect us from the enemy's schemes and the harm that can come from living opposed to Jesus.
He is NOT into doing things for our glory, our fame...it is all about Him. Many of our issues come from us being too into ourselves.
He convicts our souls, yes, but conviction is different than condemnation. There is none of that with those who are made right by Jesus. Jesus doesn't just forgive, he purifies.
This past February Matt and I traveled to AZ to interview with a church there. He accepted the position and is now working in AZ for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. This journey started as the 2nd time I told Jesus no.
No, I will NEVER live in AZ. I kept telling Jesus "Why would I want to leave Charlotte? Your peace within me is here. I don't want to leave that." See, ten years ago, when we left all of our family, friends, doctors, babysitters in IN, Jesus' peace is what covered us. It's unlike anything else in my life. So, when AZ presented itself, I said NO!!!
Well, as you read in my previous paragraph, we are now moving there. Why? Because Jesus gave me eyes to see myself in a different place, same Jesus.
A wise man once said to me..."Jesus does what Jesus does; and we obey. And even if it's hard, it will be awesome." (Darren Sutton) So much truth in that.
I can still see myself in the worship service where Jesus touched me, or spoke over me, or did whatever He does, and my heart changed. I still loved Charlotte, but my mind became open to change. So much so that when we went to AZ, it already felt like home.
Matt started commuting to AZ mid March. The kids and I stayed behind to sell the house and finish out school. I have had sadness at times; missing Matt, wanting to be there with him, but overall I have been drenched in peace, even overwhelming joy for the timing. That's what I feel like I need to share...the goodness of our God in this phase of our life.
Our house went on the market on a Sunday night. By Tuesday of that week we had two full-price offers. We accepted the one and within a week Matt started looking for houses in AZ.
All the while our prayer has been that when we all move that we would go right into a home. And God's timing has been perfect b/c that is how the closings are set. We will close on one house in SC and the next day in AZ. Matt will be in AZ when our stuff arrives and will fly back to drive us out.
HERE's the best part. This past Friday our SC realtor came over to tell me that the buyer for our home lost his job and could no longer afford to buy it. Y'all, Jesus spirit is amazing b/c my first thought was not fear; it was sadness for that family. They were so excited to get in this house.
Within 2.5 hours, another couple came through our house and by 10am the next morning we had another full price offer, closing on the same day!!! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! There are so many, so many, details that were riding on that closing date.
Jesus' work in our lives is amazing as we trust in Him. He is FOR us. Sometimes we just need Him to open our eyes to truly see.
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