I’ve lost my last two attempts to produce a post this week. All I did was click something wrong and they were gone. The third time, they say, is a charm. This will be my “untitled” post since, I’m not sure where it’s headed. Just some words about the journey and how God is good. Good to me and good at being God.

That last sentence was one adopted after I read “Uninvited” by Lisa TerKeurst. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a good book to help deal with rejection and the struggles you might be dealing with. And who isn’t? It stings when you get up in the morning and just want to live your life the best you know how and someone or something enters into it and, wham!, you didn’t see that coming.

I can’t fathom, since I met Jesus, living one more hour of one more day without knowing that God is good, good to me and good at being God. As I look over at my Bible on the beautiful stand my father made for me, I see the side where I’ve opened the pages and they are looking frayed. The beautiful gold edges are looking like they have been touched and flipped through many times. This is how I know God is good. His Word tells me so, and His presence as I spend time in it, assures me that He is mine.

So this is where this is going. As my coffee brewed this morning, the Holy Spirit said to me “Remember what you watched last night?” It was one of those nature shows by National Geographic where these folks live in the wilderness all by themselves and take pride in just surviving the day to day in the harsh environment of Alaska. How does that work? It seems like such  a contradiction. They live a secluded life yet they are on media where millions watch them day and night?

I know that Scripture teaches there are, sometimes, periods when God calls us to be secluded to have quiet, reflective time with Him.  Away from other people so we can focus on Him alone. As an introvert, I would love to just live “Jesus and me” but that is not the command. The command is to love and show love and share the gospel. Maybe those wilderness folks take their influence and compensation and support others who share the gospel. My job is not to judge. I am only responsible for using the experiences God allows in my life in the ways He leads me to. The peace God gives when we give Him our cares can’t be understood. It just happens. As the Scripture says:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God, and the peace of God which surpasses understanding will fill your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Casting all  your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

As this cold winter continues to press on, remember His goodness, His love and care, and His power to be the One in control. He doesn’t do anything haphazard or wild or crazy. When our faith remains in Him, it is not too cold and things are not too hard. They only seem that way when we are trying to survive our own wilderness without the constant reminder that He is with us.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

This scripture is right before that wonderful truth of verse 8:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

God is our supreme example that we are not to live without relationships. He sent His Son to pay the price for our sin, so He could have a relationship with us. If this is something you have never heard before, please check out “The Statement of Faith” on this site.

If you would like to find out more about Lisa’s book, check out uninvitedbook.com. Picture credit: Pillow made for me by my sweet sister, Jenny, love it!

Yes indeed, God is good. All the time.