31 Days of Hope Day 5

Today is day five of our time together!  Time is flying by. When I originally prayed about this challenge, I kept thinking, 31 days is so long!  I didn't  think I could commit to it. I felt in my heart, that the Lord said, "you need to do this".  Now five days into this, I KNOW I needed to do this.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the comments and emails. I have also appreciated reading the other blogs.  I feel as if I am getting to  know my friends better, and I am gaining new friends, as well as being challenged in my walk with the Lord. 

Today I want to encourage you that there is HOPE in listening to the Lord.  There have been other times in my life, as I am sure yours as well, that I heard the Lord loud and clear, but I chose to do my own thing. There have been other times when I doubted what I knew I needed to do; it didn't make sense, so I kept praying for a better answer, or maybe an answer I wanted to hear.

This reminds me of Jonah and how the Lord specifically told him to do something. He did not want to do what God clearly told him to do.  In his mind it didn't make sense.  He was fearful and at the same time, I think he doubted that God could really want, what He asked Jonah to do.  Once it became clear God was intentional with His request, had a purpose and a plan, Jonah still kept trying to do his own thing.  The story ends with Jonah reluctantly giving in to what the Lord told him to do, and in spite of Jonah's feelings and earlier decision, God still used him and His will for the Ninevites. Jonah ends up remaining bitter and resentful. He didn't think they deserved God's grace, mercy, or forgiveness. 

My hearts desire is to hear the Lord and commit to His will. It's not always easy, as my flesh can get in the way.  My prayer is that I wont be a Jonah.  I don't want my heart to be full of judgment and fear.  I know what it feels like to have a scarlet cord of guilt, shame, and fear wrapped around my neck, squeezing the faith, desires, and life out of me. I know what it feels like to make a choice or decision, knowing that was not God's best for me.

Even with all that I have been through and all that I have found (grace, mercy, and forgiveness), it is still a choice.  I fight my flesh daily.  We are all capable of being a "Jonah" at any time in our day, life, mind, or heart.  That is why HOPE is vital. We must hold tight to the promises in the Bible and trust the Lord, when we hear His call.  It might not be a audible booming voice, however, if we are open and willing, we can hear the Lord and then it is our choice...do we choose our will or do we choose obedience?

"Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good"  Job 34:4

Don't forget to read the other blogs...the Lord is good to give us this time to share!