I have been pondering Jesus. Who he is. What he has done before my time, in my own days and what he will do. And how I am thankful for the sacrifices people in the Old Testament made so I may taste, see and fathom the fullness of God reaching people in the valley... bridging the gap and bringing freedom.
He is faithful to bring justice and righteousness to all mankind- He generously lifts people up, restores them from shame to honor. Then uses their story for His glory in such a tangible way.
That is Jesus. Our Jesus. My Jesus. Your Jesus.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.""
~Matthew 16:15-18
As I consider Jesus. Who he is. And how He has restored me from shame, pain, sin, unforgiveness, depression to a deep hunger for Him. For his Word, the spirit of the living God, His Kingdom, for understanding, greater things in Christ, a husband who seeks first His Kingdom and righteousness, and choosing to hope in Christ so I may become and receive all he intends for me according to His will- not my own. If I was able to go back to tell Chloe from February 12th, I would give words for hope in my blind and dark hour... to not give up on God. It would read like this.
Dear Chloe from yesterday,
You haven't met me yet and can hardly fathom all of what rests upon my heart now, but someday soon you will. These words I am about to write- are full of life to the place you find yourself in- full of wisdom and hope for it is just a season. So take a deep breath and remember Jesus. Let it wash over you.
I know you feel like you are spinning and spinning and spinning, you feel like you cannot stop. God called your name and revealed so much about the days to come, but you still can hardly get yourself out of bed. You ask yourself - Am I worth it? Is my purity worth fighting for? Is my future in Christ even something noteworthy? Because I feel like trash and should stay like trash. Its there- you get up. Its there on the threshing floor the Lord is turning the tables. He is healing you. He is restoring. He is speaking.
It is in this season, he reveals the days to come. A glimpse of His plan. Love because He is not leaving you. The best wingman than ever walked the earth, Jesus. So keep getting out of bed, seeking Jesus, putting away the things that lead to bad decisions, leaning into the discomfort, keep going to work, cleaning those houses and becoming the future wife that your future husband deserves. And may in your housecleaning season, you remember those days with such honor. Where the Lord spoke life and where you worshipped the Living God in spirit and in truth. And you got on your hands and knees- on a floor that was covered in cat hair and smelled like pee- you bowed so low that your forehead just about touched the floor. But you didn't care, because all you wanted was Jesus. You encountered God more than ever before in those days and cried out to God in anguish day and night, to not be who you were- but become all what God sees and envisions for your life.
Believe me- I know, changing habits and fighting for God is sacrificial and utterly painful but He will bless you. So keep walking and singing and trusting, He is faithful. I have learned that whatever you are holding in life, it is material for sacrifice. If it is loneliness, feeling lost, alone, forsaken, or just confused - offer it to Jesus, allow him to use it to mend you with gold. If the only thing you can say is "Jesus", then say it over and over and over. Its enough for God.
Although, this letter is written from a "not yet" season... I can see the restoration from my yesterday. And I wanted you to know that He is faithful. And to remind you, Don't Give Up on God. He loves you. Take him at His Word.
"Surrender the gift to the giver of the gift and watch Him do the rest. " -CT
All my love,
Chloe of tomorrow
And to my readers, take God at His word. Remind yourselves of the restoration the Lord has walked you through. How would you bring hope and life to a younger you? What wisdom and love has the Lord revealed to you in the valley, in the wilderness, when you are face-to-face with Him in His chambers? I pray you carry the goodness of the Lord from your yesterday into your today so you remember who Jesus is in your darkest hour of tomorrow.
Your friend,
Chloe <3
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