My Journey with Jesus by Lara

             Today’s guest blogger would like to be identified as “Lara.”  She is a writer and national public relations spokeswoman who will periodically be sharing her stories on the Pearls of Promise website.  We are blessed to have her as a regular contributor.

          My journey with Jesus has gone from “running from” to “dancing with.” I envision myself  holding his hand, and at times, we are dancing. The dance is sometimes tender as he holds me through a rough patch or celebrates with me by lifting me high up into the air. I love dance so this is how I envision our journey together.

            I used to run from Him; from life. As soon as I could leave home, after high school to college, I sprinted with the same force of speed a runner uses on the last leg of the race. Then after college I moved to a faraway country to avoid and hide from my childhood. I continued moving every 3-4 years from coast to coast and places in between for my career. Now that I’m back home in Texas with roots planted at church, in a women’s group, near friends and family, facing Him and me…there’s no more running. How; why? Because I’ve run out of myself, I’m tired of running.

            Elisa Morgan says in her book, The Beauty of Broken, “When we are broken, we are exactly where God wants us…When we are broken we are bankrupt. When we are bankrupt we are dependent. When we are dependent we are done with ourselves and open to God.”

Thank you Lord! I finally reached the end of my self-reliant, prideful, denial-ridden, and sheer stubborn-willed race. Even my knees don’t allow me to run anymore. So spiritually and physically, I can’t run. And now the healing comes. I’ve put it off for so long and it hurts to face it, but I will trust Him and let Him lead our waltz to healing.

            Recently, I released control of my feeble attempts to make the past pretty and I felt so tired. My friend said, “It’s because you’ve been holding on for so long.” Shortly after, I came across 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness… For when I am weak, then I am strong.

            Thank you to all the ladies who spoke at the Jungle Retreat: Lisa Worley, Lisa Buffaloe, Rebecca Carrell, Kathy Green. Lisa B, I love the “when in trouble, call 9-1-1.” Psalm 91:1 says, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” And when I’m not able to dance, I rest in his feathers. And to Kathy, I’ve been spending quiet time in the “secret place.” Rebecca, I’m letting Him be my guide and not using old numbing tricks. Lisa B-W, I am abiding in Him and not getting wrapped up in my thoughts.

            Thank you for sharing your wisdom dance to encourage and lift me (us) up.  For we are called to encourage one another so that none of us may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness, (Heb. 3:13.)