And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. (Rom 8:28)
All the mechanics of life, all the events that must transpire to bring us to one specific place in time - they are all known to God! He has scripted them together in a way that only he can do. All of our trial and tribulations, our joys, our successes, bring us to where it is we need to be when he calls our name. He puts people on our path that are (as the story goes) there for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Our time here is short, so we must make the very best of it ~ but making the best of it is not just having a good time, or doing things we know we shouldn't do, wasting time on useless things - it's rejoicing in his gift to us!
Sometimes it's hard to keep the focus on God. Our human nature and the enemy pull us away from what it is that he wants for us and from us. The temptations that surround us every day, the little things that keep us from his Word and from the work he has for us, can often move in on us in such a subtle way that we don't realize it until it is too late to stop it. That is when we hit our knees and ask for the strength to walk upright. There is no going back to "fix" what we've broken. But then again, we don't have to.
There is someone who can make it right, someone who can and will hold it all together for you until you can do for yourself. That one is Jesus! And he'll continue to be there throughout your journey, walking right beside you. God's purpose for your life is ever unfolding, ever changing but the one thing that remains the same is his love for you. Each day brings a new challenge, a new destination and a new adventure. Be bold and brave enough to take that first step with him and although it may not be a smooth journey, and it may be riddled with temptation and sorrow at first, it will, nevertheless, be a path to glory. The "losses" we can attribute to following Jesus are small in comparison to the rewards we will receive! Let those "so called" friends of yours turn their back on you because you have chosen to follow Jesus! You will be richer for it when all is said and done!
Don't put off getting to know him another day! Open your Bible and read! Read the love letter that has been written specifically for you and know that you are chosen to be one of HIS friends! And unlike those who are only your friends if you have money or a car or can assist them in some way - he is your friend in all things and his promises are kept! Turn your life over to his care now! Let Jesus be the friend you've been looking for!
