Certainly, I'm not trying to share how good I am, because I'm far from that. I'm better than I used to be, but I'm glad I have a clearer perspective of who and whose I am - and where I am. Paul, probably my favorite author, tells us with clarity that he hasn't arrived and was still pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling - and so are we all (see Phil 3.12-15).
Through trial and error - lots of trials, and lots of errors - I learned my inability to love others was in not knowing how to love myself. I didn't understand what love means, what self-love means, and even what self is. I had to unlearn much and then allow God to teach me things His way. And true healing didn't start until I first started to love Him and then understanding things from His perspective.
My life has become a Healing Journey for myself, and perhaps for others who want an empathetic ear and a prayerful heart. I’m working out the simplicity of God's saving grace of God in my life - and after He’s put so much in you, it finds a way to come out. God loves planting and cultivating gifts within us that are for others! I welcome others at this junction of my journey because that which is working in me can only be further worked out within the presence of community.
God designed humans curiously. We have an incredible capacity to look outwards, but very little natural ability to look inwards. At the same time, we typically only understand things from our own point of view. Looking inwards requires the perspective of others, tools, frameworks, and a Guide to understand just what’s going on inside of a world that’s not entirely of our own making, but far more our responsibility - and reward - than we realize. Our Guide is the Holy Spirit, and the tools and frameworks come from the Word of God and the voices of those around us, filtered through and subjected to His Word. The most valuable voices become our counselors, for there is safety in the multitude of counselors (Prov 11.14b). These people have gifts and talents that help us to see the things of God in a more effectual way. And it’s not always the “spiritual” stuff, God has given gifts and talents to all men to prosper in the earth - He made the rain to fall on the just and the unjust (see Matt 5.45b).
The Lord can, and will, use anyone available for His purposes, even the unrighteous (please don’t go deep on me yet, we can talk about that later). He’s sovereign and can work all things together for our good (see Rom 8.28). I learned to not trust man (even myself!) because the heart of man is desperate and deceitful, but I do trust what I see God doing *in or through* a man or woman. So, my unsaved employer is being used of God to pay me to function in the earth realm after a certain standard and for various reasons. And even the drunk in the street who is telling me a tale of woe can be used for good in my life - if I hear his lesson, I can receive His (God's) blessing… and you never know when you’re unknowingly entertaining angels (see Heb 13.2).
Maybe I was sent into your life to help you. Or perhaps you’re here to help me. Most likely it’s a lot of both - we both bring something to the table, everybody has something to share. I’m pretty handy with a joke or two, and I love a good cup of coffee, or tea, or maybe just a sip of cold water. Though I’m here talking, I promise to leave plenty of space to listen. But maybe, if something I’ve said sparks a little something on the inside, please consider joining me on this Healing Journey… or maybe we’re joining you on yours… In any case, welcome to the Healing Journey where we learn that healing, God's way, is not nearly as complicated as it sometimes seems. It's found in the Simplicity of Grace.
