Guarantees

Winning isn’t everything but it sure is fun! No one is guaranteed to always be the winner. We all know there are no guarantees in this life. The only guarantee is that WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE one day. But we can count on God’s love, His faithfulness and eternal life one day, if we invite Jesus into our hearts. But while I live on this earth and learn and grow every day, seeking Christ, I do see Him reward people on this earth.

I have learned God is God and He wills and acts according to His good purposes. It is not up to me to question God’s plan but it sure is “overwhelming” when a part of His plan is to reward people who LOVE HIM, follow Him and SEEK HIM even when things don’t go well for a very long time. I watch and encourage these people as they walk, sometimes crawl, but never waiver in their faith and their pursuit of Christ. In fact, their struggles, and some have been significant, have made them draw closer to Christ.

Just recently I have been “overwhelmed,” “overjoyed,” “speechless” and “overcome” by many of the kids/athletes and coaches that are not only a part of my life, but people that God has placed in my life for me to mentor and encourage. Because of the “intimate relationship” of sharing, praying, venting and studying God’s word with them, sometimes just over texting, I know of their struggles…their pain…their devastation….their hurts…their disappointments…their betrayals….but recently…..ALL AT ONCE…it seems….after several years of these “dark and hard” times….there is “VICTORY” with all of them. It has been better than winning the “lottery” for me.

Some of the people I am blessed to mentor don’t even know each other. They have no idea of the layering of their individual lives and the ups and downs (more downs) that I have known. I get to see the parallels in their lives and how all at once…everyone is experiencing EXTREME UPS….an OVERFLOWING OF GOD’S REWARDS AND GOODNESS. God has enabled me to have His helicopter view in some ways. This has been God’s extreme reward to me!:)

Some days when I hear from them, the “darkness” has been so dark and so heavy. I have encouraged them with God’s word…and my experience of living and knowing…no matter what…

…God has them…

And my job/their job? To trust, obey and seek Him in all things….regardless.

It has been hard but every single one of them has done this! Now? There has been a watershed….of REWARDS……God is sooooo GREAT….AMAZING…. and HIS TIMING IS PERFECT!!

I just want to encourage anyone reading this post. I am not able to share all the “DOWNS” of these kids/young adults and adults. It’s too personal. But I can say this…

If you are experiencing dark times, I am going to share with you what I have shared with them.

*RUN TO GOD…even if you don’t feel like it.

*SEEK HIM with all your heart…..even if you have to get up earlier than anyone in your dorm…your apartment or your home. GET UP and GET on your KNEES before the God who knows the number of hairs on your head. Ask Him to mature you and complete you in the hard times.

*Read all of James chapter 1. It will encourage you to to be faithful (believing without seeing) in the hard times. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

*Know that HE IS AT WORK. Know that God is the REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. Hebrews11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Remember, God has DIVINE DELAYS. He did for Abraham, Joseph, David….and many others we read about in His word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God’s character doesn’t change. If you have given your life to Christ, then ask Him to help you see Devine Delays as His training ground and to help you trust His timing!

Psalm 130:5-6, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning—Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *