“A New Journal”
Justin Jones / Lead Pastor
A couple of weeks ago I got to the end of a prayer journal I have been using for the past two years. For me, a journal is a place to jot down prayers and thoughts from devotional experiences, conferences, and daily life. I also write down brainstorming thoughts for church vision ideas or sermons. Some of it is abstract and conceptual, but much of my prayer journals are extremely personal and where I pour my heart out to God. Reading back over it, I saw some amazing promises of God fulfilled over the past two years. I also read back over some of the most painful moments of my life thus far. It is interesting how that happens, isn’t it? Highs and lows, fulfillment and emptiness, summer and winter, joy and sorrow. Life is not as simple as we make it out to be and life is not as static as we may think it is, especially if we are seeking to follow God with our whole heart. God never promised us that the way would be easy, but He does promise to care for us along the way.
In reading back over my journal, the words of Romans 8:28 become all the more precious, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Whatever kind of season you are in right now, just remember that God will use all of it, as we continue to lean into Him and trust Him. He has created us on purpose for a purpose. He loves us dearly. And nothing is ever wasted in God’s Kingdom. If you are in a beautiful and joyous season right now, enjoy it. Soak in the beauty and wonder of God and thank Him continuously! If you are in a difficult or painful season right now, take heart! Even though we don’t always know the reason why we walk through pain, God can use every pain and difficulty for His glory. We just need to lean into His love in those moments. I’ll be honest … there were moments in that previous journal where I was sad, confused, broken, and couldn’t see past the painful circumstance I was in. It was only after reading over the whole journal that I could see the providential hand of God at work. No matter what we are going through, God is good, and we can trust Him!