Nothing Worth Living For Comes Easy

Got to church at 5:50 AM to do what the staff call the 'history walk'. We walked over 6 miles...from where the church started and the different buildings around the city that they occupied on their journey to what Elevation is now. It only took 5 years to become a 'mega-church' but nothing came easy. It was a great reminder that just because it may seem like this church erupted over night, there were many battles and scars that tested the faith of the leaders. Later in the day we got to watch their powerful documentary of the church. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bring tears to my eyes. I had goosebumps the entire time. These people struggled. They went through incredible adversity yet they persisted. God has a perfect plan for your life, He just wants to know if you trust Him completely. It is easy to judge people and churches when you know nothing about the true background of what makes their testimony real. It wasn't easy...in fact anything that comes easy, I'd say is not worth having. What would trust and faith be if it was never tested? How could we believe in a God if we weren't stretched to the end of our ropes? How could we prove God's faithfulness if we didn't have any scars? The reason why things don't happen the way we want them to is because God's way is always best...even if the final result was similar. The trials in our lives right now are preparing us for future trials and future opportunities to help the next generation through their walk with God. As our faith is built, we will learn to rely on a faithful God who always rescues us in His perfect timing. All we have to do is rely on a power greater than ourselves and trust His planning. God gave me a couple verses today in Isaiah. First, 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" Then I read through the famous 40:31 but I think it is important to include the first couple verses before them...they are encouraging. 40:28-31 - "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Then to continue the encouragement in 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ...Those are some pretty powerful verses...we have nothing to fear because God is walking with us every step of the way...hope they encourage you as much as they have encouraged me.