When we are truly seeking after God with our whole hearts, He just keeps getting better.
By saying He gets better, it is necessarily not that the circumstances before us physically change and get better. It is that we have an overwhelming peace and courage through it all.
My team is going through the book of John for a Bible study. As we read John chapter 2, God revealed some new truths and renewed my mind in a lot of ways. We see Mary’s heart in this passage. When Jesus asked her the question, “What do I have to do with thee?” We see that Mary is wholeheartedly seeking and trusting by her response. In John 2:5, Mary tells the servants simply, “do whatever Jesus says.”
No hesitation in her;
no, God are you sure?;
No pompous thoughts that she can do it or make it better.
Mary’s faith and the posture of her heart is what I believe was the key to bringing forth this new wine. Now, I wholeheartedly believe that the Lord’s heart towards us is that we have the good wine. He wants us to enjoy and to bask in the goodness and beauty that is all around us. But, where sin can creep in is the thought that we are deserving of the good wine. We find ourselves in a not so good circumstance, and our thoughts immediately go to, “God, where are you?” We think maybe that He is withholding from us. Comparison definitely can barge through making us weary that the Lord has forgotten us somewhere along the way.
The beauty is that he never runs out of the new wine, friends. Silly me, tends to think He does. I find myself wanting to tightly hold onto the things that are familiar, that are comfortable. I visit a place; I love it. Only to find out that a month later when I am in a completely different place with completely different circumstances, I love it just as much..not because my circumstances are necessarily better than they were. But, because my God never runs out, and He never forsakes. He is the constant that springs forth that joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.
In verse 10, we find that Jesus not only made the same wine out of water as before, but IT WAS EVEN BETTER WINE.
The first week we hosted a VBS here in Albania, I just adored and loved the kids so much! I was so sad leaving because honestly I thought, God, how can it be any sweeter than this. Only to find out that the next week there were just as many children who accepted Jesus as Savior (What it is all about!). These kids were a little more rambunctious and different from the group of first kids. But, we had just as sweet and fun of a time together.
(Can you not just see the rambunctiousness in this photo? Oh, how I love them though!)
So, Instead of dreading the bad days, the different days, and mundane days ahead..I desire to run to them with a certainty in our God. Trusting and having faith that He won’t ever stop changing the water into new wine.
I am then not fearful.
I am then not worried.
I am then not anxious.
I am then a tree planted by the river of life KNOWING my Jesus will bring forth the fruit even when it is seemingly unclear to me.
He never runs out. Come to Him today with a willing heart.
Jesus, thank you for never running out. Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I pray to have that willing heart postured to obeying You today. I pray that we anticipate You with every breath, Jesus.
Your Beloved, Kel
Kelsey, I believe I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, your blogs truly bless me. I see how much God is transforming you and chipping away what you allow Him to. Your blog frequently pushes me to want to be better and/or humbles me to be more selfless and content. It also helps me to remember that there is SO much to be grateful for and to continue reaching out to all I encounter. I can only imagine what you will be like once this is over. Prayers, blessings, and peace to you, always. Love you Kelsey!
Kelsey,
Greetings from Multiply Lake Norman church. Last Sunday was Missions Sunday across Multiply campuses, we at LKN were blessed with a very young couple(Collin and Madison Smith) serving in West Africa. Its incredible what God is accomplishing through his young disciples such as you. Please visit us if possible upon your return. In Christ Judy and Gary Martin
ANGELA!!!!!
You sweet angel! Thank you. It again touches me that you even read these; I know the Lord is using you to touch hearts over where you are. I MISS YOU SO MUCH, and frequently am talking about you.
Praying a sweet blessing over your today, your family, your friends, and your work!
Cannot wait to reconnect when I am back in the states!
Gary! Hello!
I am just blown away by your support and just sit here praising the Lord for the divine appointment that it was meeting you at GoodDrip. Thank you for your continuous helping hands in the Lord’s work here.
West Africa! That is sweet to hear! My team is supposed to be going to South Africa for our last 2 months.
Definitely looking forward to reconnecting when I am back in the states.
Praying for you today and Multiply Church!
HE NEVER RUNS OUT! HE NEVER FORSAKES!! And He can’t return void on His Word!
This is so good and so encouraging.