Posted on my Instagram (@ballardjanae): June 14th, 2018
Dreams can be so intimidating!
Make that into a God-dream and talk about being overwhelmed!
That’s where I am…. BUT this is different.
The younger me had ambitions that not only seemed hopeless but futile, and God also revealed to me that they were selfish. God-dreams are not hopeless, vain or selfish though, as they are full of good purpose, about His marvelous glory powerful enough to offer eternal love to the world, through the goodness of Christ, so that anyone can build confident expectations on Him and find peace in His promises.
Which makes one the good kind of anxious- the passionate kind, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime divine opportunity and so life-giving to the heart and soul!
This post is about my newfound freedom in that, and about my joys and fears.
Ah, FREEDOM!
Only true faith ignites freedom to embrace all that. Faith that believes God’s word and worth.
I’ve caught myself running from my beliefs, my calling to be set apart. I don’t find joy in division, and I fear being misunderstood, yet neither of those go away in running from God. If anything they increase! Who can create a unified heart of understanding in everyone like God? The world’s prides divide us, but imagine if we all took pride in the same God… God knows what He’s doing when He calls us to Himself and truth, and says that He alone is good. And I’ve honestly grown tired of grieving my Spirit that wants to embrace that wholeheartedly.
Throw off people’s expectations and desires for your life, and live for the one who knew you first and can hold you best. Throw off your own personal hindrances, and embrace the gracious love and hand of God!
I’m so into the timing of my life right now! With summer fever rolling in, and me taking leaps of faith, the journey feels smooth! In general I love the seasons! They keep a constant feeling of nostalgia in me that I love! Simple recurring things that I know will be there to embrace. I love and find such joy in kids and music, this is out of school season and where music gets louder and played for longer hours. And I love that God has opened my eyes and heart to see His possibilities and uses for these things for Him. He made the goods we enjoy, we simply see from short-term and fallen perspectives without Him and misuse something that could be holy and beautiful…
I’ve already said that my creative heart is thriving!! One of my spiritual gift’s is wisdom, but my physical gift is dabbling around with stuff of the creative sort, and I’m an enthusiast for seeing this! Creative people enjoy your summer! I want to read and awe at whatever you make! Glory to God! Everyone else, you too! Take care of your heart and soul!
When it comes to fear, my greatest ones are along the lines of people not giving there all to God, not surrendering, continuing doubtful, hopeless or not seeing His authority over all things. That’s so dangerous. God doesn’t sit in heaven hoping we make a good life for ourselves, He’s King there and here, and we should be seeking His kingdom come, His will be done. We’re called to turn from ruling our lives to recognize His reign, and then to let that become the joy and direction of our heart. Revival through Him! Faithlessness goes against His perfect goodness and name. It destroys.
I’m finding freedom in trusting God with that as well though. I am incapable of relying on anything else anyway. His grace alone! It is finished! I know God is working because He’s still sharing His word!
You don’t read what I say coincidentally.
It may get worse before better when you seek God, but it will get better! So seek Him while He’s near! Worthy is He!
Good day, special peeps!
Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”
1 Peter 2:1-3 “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Romans 12:1-2 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”