Lavender & Lace

I think we do a real disservice to those people who show up and are new to faith in Jesus. Because I think, so many times, the picture that we paint for new believers goes something like this;

Jesus is now a really cool genie who just shows up and says “yes” to all your prayers.

Or Jesus is a warrior who’s going to show up and kick the butts of all the people who have ever wronged you so you won’t have any trouble in your life anymore.

But instead, what we should be telling folks is welcome to Normandy Beach!There’s a real, actual war going on here between the Spiritual realm that is unseen; good and evil. Oh and by the way, your entire walk from this point forward is going to be solely based on your faith and desperation for Christ-while carrying a giant bullseye in your back.

But far too many people show up and think that it’s just going to a path of roses because they have said yes to Him. Without understanding that you have now said yes to a kingdom that operates completely backwards from everything you’ve ever known. And that it’s going to take more than just feelings to get your through.

And that’s why so many people get discouraged and walk away. Because at first, man, I called out to God and THERE HE WAS! But he’s quiet now and Im questioning whether or not I really heard His voice. Or, I said yes to Jesus and I received some kind of miraculous healing in my life, but now, I just feel like everything is falling apart around me and I don’t understand why.

Because the one thing I know about the Bible is that it is full of suffering.

When I was in college I walked into my first mega church and found myself completely overwhelmed to learn that there was a place for me there. Not because I was a young, put together, mildly successful lady, but because I was suffering tremendously. And I felt like I lived in a world where I had no choice but to do it all alone.

It was revolutionary to me to learn I didn’t.

Just turn to the story of Moses. Here is a guy who was destined, from birth, to rescue the people of God and lead them out of slavery. But, because he made a couple mistakes God tells him, “You will now die in view of that which you have urned for; the promised land.”

Or, the story of John the Baptist. The guy was literally born with the Holy Spirit. Paved the way for Jesus’ ministry. And while imprisoned, sends a messenger to Jesus to find out if he will be freed. Only to be told that he will die in prison.

Or Mary. The 13/14 year old, peasant girl, who gets the news any Israelite woman in her day would what killed to have…you will give birth to the Messiah. But where does her story end? Standing at the foot of the cross watching as her Savior/ Son spit on, mocked, and killed for saving the world.

And we didn’t even get to Job!

But I think when new believers come to Jesus they are on such of a high from all these first experiences that as soon as the high isn’t there anymore they think something has gone wrong.

No, beloved, nothing is wrong. Except that on this side of heaven we won’t always get what we want. We are separated from him here. We live in a fallen world, that simply isn’t fair. But it does come with good news:

It won’t always be this way.

There will come a day when heaven and earth are reunited forever and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He will walk amongst us again like in the garden and we will forever be with Him.

This is good news for the heart that yearns nearness.

But until then, yes, there will be a battle. Yes, there will be times of trial. And yes, bones and hearts will still break. But just keep your eyes on Him. I promise you He is there, He hasn’t left you. No matter how distant He feels.

Keep praying.

Keep hoping.

Because I can promise you.

It won’t always be this way.