Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Journey


While walking this road of life, the journey is sometimes GREAT! We are traveling along the path and we can see far ahead. The way looks clear and bright. There is beauty all around us on every side. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, children are laughing, and a song is burning deep within our soul. But wait! In the distance we can see dark clouds begin to roll in and cover up the sun. A heavy fog starts to lay across the horizon just enough to cloud up our view. The birds are no longer singing. We can not hear the children laughing and it seems as though the song in our heart has faded. Before you know it we have come to a bend in the road and we can not see what lays ahead. Things look dark and dreary and we fear to take another step.

We have been hit with trials and tribulations and it is as though our whole world has been turned upside down. Dear God in Heaven, do I really have to take the turn in this road? I am not sure what lies around the corner. I can not see what is up ahead. Things are not as they should be and I do not like this trial that I am in. What if it turns out the way I don't want it too? My mind is cluttered! Too much is going on inside. I can't think clearly. I am afraid to take another step. What if I make the wrong decision? I am a total mess.

Pastor calls a 15 day fast for those who would like to join him. I feel God calling me to join this fast. Yes, I will do it. I NEED ANSWERS! Can I make it through a 15 day fast? We were all anointed for and prayed for. During the fast, two songs are laid on my heart that I listen to over and over. The first one is "Daystar" and the chorus really got to me.

LEAD ME LORD I’LL FOLLOW
ANYWHERE YOU OPEN UP THE DOOR
LET YOUR WORD SPEAK TO ME
SHOW ME WHAT I’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE
LORD I WANT TO BE A WITNESS
YOU CAN TAKE WHAT’S WRONG AND MAKE IT RIGHT
DAYSTAR SHINE DOWN ON ME
LET YOUR LOVE SHINE THROUGH ME IN THE NIGHT

Through this I got my mind off of my problems and back onto doing a work for the Lord. In doing this, He is better able in taking care of my problems because I am no longer holding onto them. I have let them go.

The other song that touched my heart during this fast is "Different" by Mollye Reese with Jamie Slocum. That is what I want to be. Different just like Jesus is.

I wanna be different Jesus just like you
I wanna be tender with mercy guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because I am different
Let the difference be love

I made it through the 15 day fast. It really was not hard at all, Thanks be to God. I feel as though I have received some direction in my life for this trial I have been going through. Do I have all the answers? NO! But I will take it one day at a time and I am no longer afraid to take the turn at the bend of the road for I know that He will be by my side and that Mercy and Grace will follow me.

This one thing I must always remember, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

No matter what the outcome is, I will rest assured that I am in the will of God. I will no longer fear what lay ahead for I know that He has all things under control and that He cares for me and has my best interest at heart. I will say, Not my will, but thy will be done, Oh Lord!

8 comments:

Karen J. Hopper said...

The Lord does lead us in our valleys - and He DOES CARE. Will be praying.

Chandra said...

Thanks for the food for thought. I love you. I'm praying for you. I support you.

Rochelle said...

This points speaks of the volume of His love... we may not always get the answers we desire but we can rest assure of His peace and His love for us. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Tredway Tales said...

What a wonderful thing it is to push away the flesh and draw closer to God. What awesome things have happened with this fast. It was amazing listening to the things that are happening while we were in Delano. God is doing great things because of your sacrifices. There was a sweet anointing upon the services this weekend. May God continue to bless and anoint you and your family.

God BLess,

Josh, Candace & Chloe Tredway

Jolene Harris said...

Karen, Yes He does! I am so glad to know that He cares and that he is ALWAYS with us no matter what we face or go through. I have often wondered how people who don't believe in God, face their troubles without the Lord to help them fight their battles.

Jolene Harris said...

Chandra, I love you! Your hug the other night did me wonders. You are like a breath of fresh air. I am so glad you are my sister. :)

Jolene Harris said...

Rochelle, though it hurts sometimes when we don't get the answers we are looking for concerning certain matters, it is still best that we don't get the ones we want if they will lead us down the wrong path. I am just thankful that He is there to pick us up and give us peace in the midst of our storm. To let us know that He is with us and that everything will be alright as long as we continue to hold his unchanging hand.

Jolene Harris said...

Bro. Tredway, what can I say? I was soooo blessed Sun. Morning and Evening when you preached for us. You definitely spoke to my heart. Just what I needed to hear. It was as though you had read my mail. :) Know what I mean? Then when you got up to sing, well, you sang one of the songs that I had played everyday over and over again during my fast, DAYSTAR. Yes, I was blessed.

The fast for me was a great way to push all of my troubles aside and to clear all of the cobwebs and clutter out of my mind so that I could once again get my mind focused back on the purpose of serving God and doing His will. All of us who fasted were definitely blessed. Nothing like killing the flesh so that the soul can soar high like an eagle.