MOMENTS..

Moment definition: “A very brief period of time” - Formal: Importance.

Moments come and go. Some are longer than others and some pass by, but moments make lasting memories.

This is something I’ve been able to reflect on in this new season of 'adulthood.' Moments come in many different shapes and sizes, emotions and weights, and the good and bad. Overall, moments are memories I’m thankful for.

The Lord has been teaching me a lot in this season. It’s one for me with a lot of unknowns, uncomfortableness, changes, newness, growth and perseverance. I think satan has tried to steal my joy away on some occasions, but the Lord has been teaching me lots of patience and perseverance.

Patience: The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Perseverance: Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Something these two words have in common in that it takes time. IT. TAKES. TIME. Three words that is hard for me to understand, but make me laugh by humbling me real quick. I think about it and amidst my [your] worry or doubt or fear, Christ is patient with me [you]. He understands me [you] better than I and loves me [you] deeper than anyone else. Christ also perseveres for me [you]. He wants me [you] despite difficulty or delay as His own. And I’m the one being difficult..

Romans 5 is a good reminder of what the Lord says about patience and perseverance.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God though Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God though our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we have not received the reconciliation.”

Praise be to God. We have PEACE through Jesus and stand in God’s glory persevering through trials hopeful without disappoint because of Christ's love for us.

Just think on that. When moments get hard or joyful, Christ continues to pursue you. How cool.

Going into my next point. God’s “lovingkindness” has been a continuous word on my heart this season. I find it to be such a beautiful description of Christ. I love how David talks about it in Psalm 61-63. Long story short, David is escaping people that want to kill him and hiding in the desert all alone and although being surrounded by enemies, David placed his trust in God. He mentions multiple attributes of God in these verses and specifically "lovingkindess" 3 times.

The dictionary defines lovingkindess at a tenderness and consideration toward others. The Bible defines its simile to "compassion."

As David is crying out to God in these chapters, He is rejoicing in God’s lovingkindess. 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times, o people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

Sometimes moments, whether great or not so great, take our eyes off the truth, off His lovingkindness, off of His refuge. In a season so entangled by activities, newness, uncomfortableness and excitement, I can find myself praising my own efforts instead of pausing to praise the one who made all things. A little ‘check yo-self’ moment if you will.

In these moments, am I crying out to Jesus when I’m alone in the desert like David or am I keeping myself busy? Am I pursuing and persevering with Christ as He does with me, or am I taking the high road myself? Am I being patient in trusting His perfect plan, or am I discontent in waiting?

Yeah.. tough.. I know… but a good break check, right?

His lovingkindess endures forever. He has compassion toward you and I when we indulge in the moments. He loves us more than anyone ever could. But are you keeping God on a one way street with Him in the rearview mirror or are you pursuing Him on a two-way street?

Paul likes to convict us in His letters, but let me tell you, this guy is so cool. In Philippians, Paul is in prison, he’s having himself a moment just like David when he was hiding in the desert. But Paul did not allow his ‘moment’ to define himself, but he allowed his ‘moment’ to be a voice for the gospel.

Philippians 1: 6-7 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and I the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.”

My study Bible gave a short and sweet rundown: “Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him.”

Am I content in Christ alone to not allow my ‘moments’ to sway my daily life? Am I rejoicing in the change? Am I seeking peace in Him, or am I running?

I’ve learned I can’t run away from things just because I know I can seek a new adventure. But if I run towards the Father who calls me His, how much more joyful and lovingkind is that?

Easy to say, yet challenging.

I’ve never seen the Lord’s faithfulness so clearly than in this current season. When you open your hands and say 'yes' to Him and let loose of control, moments change. Cliché, but I’m going to say it, Jesus is the greatest investment.

In a song recently shared with me [More Like Jesus] these words stood out:

“I've been told to live my own truth, Do whatever makes me feel good, Get rid of boundaries, the rules are stifling, Chase good feelings.

But I found myself more lost than ever, Enslaved and bound to my desires, And that's not freedom, Now I find myself more alive than ever, My life laid down for your desires, Now this is freedom, My preference is no matter, Where I thought I'll be doesn't matter, It's all about Jesus, Praise be to God.”

It's easy for myself to chase the next best adventure and the place/thing that will 'satisfy' me, but my friend Grace shared some wise words with me once that have stuck in my mind: 'The freedom of self-forgetfulness.' The moment when you stop thinking about yourself in the headlights and thinking of Jesus as the guide, phew, that's freeing. It takes surrenderence, it takes losing of control, it takes trust and most of all.. FAITH. He gives us the Holy Spirit as our guide.. Him.. inside.. us. All He asks is for us to open our hands and say 'yes'.

I rejoice in the unconditional deep love that God pursues, perseveres and is patient in for us. Mezi Jezi.

Stay rad y’all,

Cay :)