“It’s just too much, Lord.”
My heart ached. Tears came. Sobs followed.
It was the movement of Holy Spirit in my heart—alerting me to a time of refinement.
“No Lord. Not again.”
But really I had already said yes. Yes to God. Yes to destiny.
How often I forget destiny costs something. For God’s power to move and flow freely through me I must yield to His refining work. A life pursuing destiny is a life seeking more of Him. The painful reality is there is a process to undergo for there to be less of me.
“I don’t know if I can go another round of this, Lord.”
I wanted a way out—an exit door, somewhere that would allow me to catch my breath. I considered a conversion to the comfortable life of the American Christian. The kind of life where faith never goes deep and only showed up on Sunday mornings. Would anyone even notice? Father God made His heart known through the thundering voice of Mufasa, The Lion King.
Remember who you are.
“Remember who I am? Lord, I don’t understand.”
You are Mine.
Confused, I wondered if He heard me right. Didn’t He get it? I couldn’t withstand the heat of the refining fire much longer. For hours I watched my own impurities burn over the coals of purification. It was too much. I wanted out.
Remember who you are.
“Lord, I don’t know what You mean. Are You even listening to me? I’m done. I want out. It’s too much.” Tears streamed down my face in frustration.
Father God’s voice became gentle as Holy Spirit brought revelation.
The heat is not just to burn things off of you Beloved.
The heat is meant to burn something within you.
I am burning My identity in you.
It is what you will need to continue on the journey.
Without it you will be lost and without direction to your destiny.
My heart grew light and heavy at the same time. “Why does it have to hurt, Lord?”
Beloved, I am holy. I am marking you with my holiness.
“How long will it take?”
Dear One, I will release you soon.
Draw near and stay with Me.
I won’t leave you alone in this.
Destiny comes with a cost. It’s a willingness to stay on the journey even when it gets hard and even when it becomes unbearable. It’s a belief that the goodness of God is greater than the circumstances we face.
But with the cost comes a reward. The fullness of God’s love revealed to us, the deepening of His presence in our lives, and His identity sealed over our souls.
It’s not an easy road, but I am choosing to stay on the journey—
How about you?
Here or somewhere…be real.
Share your journey.
Relevant Worship
Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly) by Santus Real
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9J8eqKovY
Waiting Here for You by Christy Nockels (Passion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OEGnH5x8g&ob=av2n
You Won’t Relent by Jesus Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY657h4iZlk&feature=related
Reflective Scripture
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7 NIV
