He Leaves the Ninety Nine

As this year draws to a close, I can't help reflect on my current situation and the circumstances of countless of others in this world who are struggling, yet have something in common... a tremendous faith and love for God. 

I have traveled a rough and ragged road in the past year, as have so many others that I know. There have been days when I have been angry with God for putting me through such a season; a season that has been trying, and some days has even felt like a punishment, even  though we know better. 
Our difficulties may not be evident from the outside in all cases. For some can hide it well, yet others show signs of wear and tare,  eithe way, Jesus knows my truth, for He has been with us through all of it.  
One thing I know for sure is this; although the road has been difficult, but I am here, alive and writing this. There are blessings in every season of our lives. Always things to be thankful for. Those blessings can be something as simple as the fact that God woke us up this morning, he gave us a breath, a drink of water, a roof over our head, and a comfortable place to sleep. It doesn't matter what we have or don't have...the Bible says when we have God, we have all we need. That being said; I believe that Our Father God is one tough customer. His expectations of some us can be very difficult, almost too difficult sometimes. 
He expects us to get through situations we are certain we haven't the strength to accomplish; hard things that make us want to give up, quit and move on. I can't tell you how many times I have felt like my giving up day is drawing very near and I have even told him so. I have given him deadlines, making pretend alternative plans so in case things don't change soon, or his promises don't pan out, I will have something to fall back on. Something, quicker and easier so that I can pretend I never heard his voice. I bet He thinks I am quite amusing, perhaps even funny, especially when I joke with Him about His version of the word ‘soon’ being nothing like mine. But the Bible says that God is not a liar and he always comes through! He has a keen sense of humor and loves to be praised. He knows us each very well, and he is always one jump ahead of any foolish, or stubborn plans we make on our own.
I can not lie and say that I have never doubted God. I must be honest and say that I have foolishly doubted Him and He has shown me time and time again that He is not like a human who will lie and use and abuse us for his own gain and then walk away. 
So if I l were to be the one to up and walk away; call it quits (which I could never really do because that would mean I would be failing him), it would be about me, not Him. And that right there is what keeps me going. You see, although I am no saint,  I do want to be a tough customer just like him. 

It's true what they say, there  is no turning back. Once you love him and feel his mighty love for you, turning back is not an option, and there is only one way... 
His way. So the best thing to do is rest in that, and be as patient as you possibly can be. 

I am blessed to wake up many mornings with some truly great music playing in my head. I know it is Jesus who provides that very music, for the songs I am hearing reflect not only his knowledge of me  but also his great love for me. He knows my go to’s, so sometimes when I am sad, mad, frightened or frustrated and cry out to him, I wake up knowing He has been right there by me all night and I feel blessed and very content. “Good Good Father" from Chris Tomlin is one of his favorites, he plays for me it frequently. Other mornings I hear Steffany Gretzinger telling me that Jesus is and should be The King of my Heart. When  a song pops into my head during the day, I know he is reassuring me, especially when I am having a rough day and I am exhausted or frightened. It is his way of telling me to keep going, and not to give up. He whispers, "I know I'm making you fight a tough fight, walk a tough walk but you can do it. You have this, this is cake." or “Greater things are yet to come” And I know then that I have it. I can do it. I can deal with any and all personal or financial struggles, get up before dawn and drive through any storm, deal with the most difficult of situations and be kind to the most difficult of people. I know I can overcome whatever I have to... because He Loves me. He loves music and is aware of the music we like. One of his favorite songs  is Reckless Love. Its such an amazing song that explains his mighty love for us in a way our tired, worn out brains can understand.  When I hear the song and feel his great love, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  Read these words to him, (or better yet sing it, he loves to be sung to). 

Before I spoke a word, you were singing over me. You have been so, so good to me. 
Before I took a breath, you breathed your life in me. You have been so, so kind to me. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God.
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til  I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still you give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God. 

When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me, You have been so, so Good to me.
When  I felt no worth, you paid it all for me. You have been so, so kind to me. 

Oh the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, 
fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I  couldn't earn it, I don’t deserve it, still you 

give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God. 

There's no shadow You won't light up, Mountain You won't climb up, Coming after me.

There's no wall You won't kick down, No lie You won't tear down, Coming after me.

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down,
 fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still you 

give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

The lyrics to this song reference the Parable of the Lost Sheep as told by Jesus, and recorded twice in Scripture, first in Matthew 18:12-14 and again in Luke 15:1-7

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 

4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Source: Bible Gateway

That says it all right there... 
it doesn't matter who you are, what you've been through, or what you've done. You are one of those 100 sheep and if you get lost, even for a minute, He is coming after you. He is only a call away; "Jesus, please help me. I need you!" 
Boom! Done! 
I have been like Peter on the lake;  I looked away for a split second and lost sight of him and found myself calling, "Please help me! I can't make it without you my dear, sweet, Father." He always knows where we are and what we're enduring and he always has his eyes on us. So please, keep your focus on Him and try not to take your eyes off of Him, but if and when you do; and it does happen just like it happened to Peter, Jesus will find you and he will rejoice and never let you go.
So remember...

There's no shadow You won't light up, Mountain You won't climb up coming after me.  There's no wall You won't kick down, No lie You won't tear down coming after me  Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, Oh, it chases me down, fights  'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn't earn it . I don't deserve it. 

Still You give yourself away...

We might not be able to see the end of our current situation, or understand why he is allowing it, but he can and does. Remember always that His ways are nothing like our ways, and His thoughts are nothing like ours...we tend to forget that, and it's a good thing to remember. Don't try to put him in a box, because first of all, there are none like him and secondly, there aren't any boxes that can hold him. No matter what your circumstance or situation is...know this, if you keep your eyes on him and make him your number one priority...you will see the blessings, even if they are invisible to those around you. 

Blessings for a Joy filled New Year...

    Keep your eyes on Him, His are on you! 

Jeremiah 23:3-4 
"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where 
I have driven them and bring them back to their folds and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they will fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking." says the LORD