Sometimes we have to go through a process of preparation and healing, and a journey with Jesus, before we are called to go to where we’re supposed be.
We can’t walk fully in our calling and purpose, if we haven’t walked with God and surrendered everything we have been through, we desire and dream of to him.
It’s in the secret place of surrender, drawing into deeper intimacy with God is where He does His best work in us.
Over the years of my life, I’ve walked through pain and heartache, years of feeling so alone, not feeling like I didn’t have a purpose, I battled a lot socially, having trouble with my speech, being on the autism spectrum, was a challenge for years all up until my early 20s. I felt like I was behind on life for a very long time.
It hasn’t been easy. There were times I felt like giving up on my faith. There were times I was losing hope, but I kept fighting to seek God. I said God if there’s a purpose in all this adversity, I will keep my eyes on you because you always make something beautiful out of it. When we walk with God through the pain and brokenness we experience, it leads us one step closer to the promises He has for our life.
I’ve even learned as I’ve been on this journey, there's light that other people see in me that I can’t comprehend. It shines so brightly that’s from Him, in His light, it's His strength and power that shows up stronger in us.
As I surrendered this process fully to God, I kept gazing on the Father. As my eyes were on Him, he began working these miracles in me, things of abundance, I never would have even imagined experiencing or doing. He gave me desires to help others in their struggles. From helping families with kids on the spectrum, to launching groups and ministries for young adults on the spectrum as well. It blows my mind how God works.
Literally, He’s given me the ability and gift for words, to write and to speak His words that bring hope in healing to others. Things were beginning to fall into place for me, and it’s still happening. Everything was within reach of me. He’s even given me an incredible faith family and community around me, a support I can’t imagine doing life without.
When we simply turn our gaze on the Father, the things we desire are all within reach right in front of us, it all falls into place in His time.
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the things we can’t see are all eternal and will last forever, and I believe even the things we may not understand or see right now are impacting generations to come. We’ll never know the people we are impacting around us.
My encouragement for you, to keep fighting, the process of staying in position is all worth it. Keep gazing at the Father, and keep seeking Jesus. Stay connected in God’s presence. Stay connected to community and God’s people, this journey makes it worth it when others are walking with us. God is right there walking with you. He is within reach, leading you closer to the destiny He has for you.
Trust the Process!!
“Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
“So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.” -
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
These pictures signify my story, and represent the journey I’ve been on to overcome, all for the glory of God.
-Amelia Maynard.