Are We There Yet?

One perk of where we are staying right now is cable tv! This is something that we have not had for about 4 years, and I am loving it! I am even loving commercials! Crazy, I know. There have been commercials that have made me laugh out loud, commercials that have made me cry, and commercials that have made me think about my life. One such commercial I just saw.

This commercial (not even sure what it was advertising exactly) showed clips of all kinds of children saying, "Are we there yet?" How many times have we said that on trips, or heard that from the little ones in the back seat? Are we there yet...are we there yet...are we there yet???

The past few weeks have been a little challenging for me. I have felt a heaviness unlike I have felt in a long time. My momma may be pretty sick. My husband has yet to find a job. There is uncertainty about our future living situation. I am about to turn 30 (and I don't know if I am handling it all that well). There are so many things that are in a limbo state, so many things that are uncertain (well, 30 is certain if the Lord allows me to live for 18 more days!). As I watched that little commercial tonight I realized that I am just like one of those kids, crying out, well, more like whining, "Are we there yet God?" I am struggling to have patience. I am struggling to believe that He is in control and knows exactly where we are going and how long it will take us to get there. My "are we there yet" thoughts are dangerously close to becoming, "Have you forgotten about us?"

I have had some wonderful friends remind me of truth during this time, and please keep it coming! God is certainly in control over every single moment (the marvelous to the mundane), but when I have to put feet to this belief I become this little child who just wants to cry out, "Ughhh....ARE WE THERE YET? DO I HAVE TO KEEP DEALING WITH UNKNOWNS? WHY WON'T YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND REVEAL YOUR PLAN ALREADY! THIS IS HARD!" I don't think I know best, not at all. I don't want to have control. I like being a child of God's and following the good shepherd. I just don't like having to endure and wait on Him! (Ohhh...sinful sinful self!)

The best place for me right now is the gospel. Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despised it's shame, and then was seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Jesus did not like the cross. It was hard! It was painful! But, He endured knowing what was to come. He, the good shepherd, laid down His life for His sheep so that we could be with Him for eternity. He trusted the Father's plan, whatever it looked like, and knew the joy that was before Him. And now, the punishment for my sin, the death that I deserved, was taken away at the cross. There is now no condemnation, but Christ's perfection is credited to my account. Scandalous, and beautiful!

I don't know what is going to happen in the days to come. Maybe things will get easier. Maybe they won't. Maybe God's plan will be revealed with absolute certainty, but, maybe it won't. What I do know is that God will work all things together for my good and His glory (no matter what may come). I know that He will provide everything I need according to His glorious riches in Jesus (so I can face whatever comes my way). And I know that I have a good shepherd that loves me and laid down His life for me (so I have hope). My joy cannot be shaken and my hope cannot be taken away due to my circumstances because it is grounded on something that can never ever be taken away. Jesus! I am His and He is mine! That is where I will seek to rest in midst of this uncertain time. And, I am quite thankful that even when my faith wavers, He is ever steady in the storm!

There will always be things that come up in this life. There will be new difficulties to face, new trials to bear, new uncertainties around every corner. I am sure we will all have plenty of moments in this life when we ask God the question of "Are we there yet?" And, I am also sure that it won't be answered in the affirmative until we reach heaven. Until then, I will bring my feeble, faint heart before the Lord, and pray for faith to trust Him always.

Hear my cry, O God,

listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! 

Psalm 61:1-4 

 Believing that it is all from His hand,

~Heather