Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Journey

I believe life for the believer is a journey.  From the moment you reach a hand up out of the pit of your sin to clasp the grace-bearing hand of Jesus, the Savior, you begin a journey to your destination, your real Home.

And, you are also on an odyssey to become your real Self. The self that looks like Jesus.

Now this Self and this Home are nothing like what most in the world thinks it is.

It is not a race to become the best possible you, one that is happy, successful and rich. It's not achieving the American Dream with a large fancy house, two cars, and a big bank account. It's not to become a famous author or blogger (aww!), an Olympic champion, or any other kind of celebrity who receives the accolades of men.

(Don't get me wrong, sometimes believers end up having that stuff which is just a bonus God gives them to bless other people. It's not the focus of the Journey, though.)

The journey is not even about earning your way to heaven, because if we could earn our own way, why'd Jesus have to come and give His life for us, anyway?

No, our journey is to find and accomplish all good works He created us to do all the while learning and stretching and growing to become more like Him.

"·God has made us what we are [L For we are his handiwork/workmanship/work of art]. In Christ Jesus, God ·made [created] us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." Ephesians 1:10 Expanded Bible

For some of us, the Journey started down a particular path, curvy and bumpy along the way, but the end always seemed in sight. For others, the path seems foggy and hard to see as we pass through bogs and pits of despair. Yet He is always there with us, if we but open our eyes to see Him.

I, Jerralea, started my journey when I was 14.  I've come a long way, but sometimes I wonder if I am one of those who still has a long way to go. I've not arrived, by any means. There's been some rough patches on my Journey, "I'm not gonna lie." But more often, He carries me through the tough stuff. Just this week, my husband and I were facing a tight spot, and He smoothed the path out for us. He's good like that.

What kind of journey are you on?


Mama’s Losin’ It


This post was written in response to Writer's Workshop prompt # 2. Write a blog post inspired by the word: journey. I had to smile when I saw this prompt, for what better word can there be for the writer of Jerralea's Journey?

If you'd like to read other responses to this prompt, or join in the fun with your own post, visit Kat Bouska's blog, Mama's Losin' It.

9 comments:

  1. This is a great post, Jerralea! So true that the goal is not to give us the happiest life possible with the most goodies, but to make us more like Jesus. That's sometimes pretty painful, but full of blessings, on the road to making us FULLY HUMAN, as we were meant to be, delighting in our God and Savior. Thanks for the wonderful, uplifting post this morning!

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  2. I have read Pilgrim's Progress in the last year and often times I think of my life as the journey that Pilgrim was on. Some times I get off the path and have to be helped back on track or I realize myself that I have strayed from my goal. It is a journey and one that we don't have to go at alone! Thanks Jerralea!

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  3. "...were facing a tight spot, and He smoothed the path out for us. He's good like that."


    :-)

    All the time.

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  4. I think our journey always continues until the day we are united with Him for eternity.

    betty

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  5. Hi Jerralea! I was reading this week about purpose, and how we can be rich, have everything we could want, but still not be living our purpose. Your post reminded me of that. It is all a journey, and I know I'll never be done wandering until I die.

    There is so much for me to learn every day. And relearn of course!
    Love that photo of the road. A great visual for our journey to the Lord.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  6. Yep! I still have a long way to go on this journey but am so grateful for the one who walks beside me!

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  7. Sometimes I sit back and acknowledge that the me from 10 years ago could not possibly have dealt with the problems the me of today deals with daily. I can see God's hand guiding my life.
    ♥ Jill of http://ask.Jill.PJgamers.com

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  8. I have always thought of my life as a journey...i think it's the hiker in me....HAHA! but seriously...i love looking back to what He has done, and how He has grown me, and I love looking forward, pressing on toward the Prize all the while knowing I have more plodding to do, more trials and triumphs....

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  9. "I believe life for the believer is a journey". Yes... I agree! Even amidst the very difficult trials I can look back and see that it's all in the plan. A journey that requires faith, patience, pondering, and moving forward one step at a time. Lessons are learned and gratitude seeps deep into my heart and soul for the opportunity to grow. Thanks for sharing this post.

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