You can't skip chapters.
I can’t remember exactly when; I’ll have to go back and check my 2021 agenda to find the exact date I decided to commit and read the entire bible. Can I be honest with you? I have never done this before; read the bible from beginning to end. After God created the world and all living creatures, I start to get distracted. Does this ever happen to you too?
I’m now in the book of exodus and there are chapters dedicated to precise details. Like, how long rods, curtains, rings, and many other details needed to build what God wanted them to build. Not only are there details about what everything was made of, but how those items where all put together by special hands that were skillful to make them. There were many moving pieces that on their own wouldn’t be able to create what God had planned.
Maybe you’re in the planning chapter, the “gathering all the pieces” chapter, the breaking chapter, the harvesting chapter, or the building chapter. There are chapters to your life. And Honey, you can’t skip ahead to see how it’s all going to work out. Why would you though? I think about famous people, and how everyone is so interested in what they do, but also where they came from and “their story”. You want to know how they got there and what was it like, right? The same is for our lives. Imagine getting to the end of your life. . . wouldn’t you want to know what happened? All the events that lead up to that point. . . you are going to want and get all the details.
I too have had feelings that overwhelm me like bricks on my shoulders; too much to bear. But God has taught me to fix my thoughts on everything that I can touch, smell, and see. Also, to be grateful. For example, when I’m tired and want to cry at that kitchen sink because she keeps calling me back for more work, I switch my mind to focus on other things. Like the fact that I have running water, and plates that are dirty because my family ate, and a mess in every corner because I have healthy, happy children running around in a safe home with AC and electricity.
It’s all in your mind. The words you think in your mind, become your story. If you give your thoughts to God and seek his guidance, I guarantee he will meet you there. You just need to invite him into your mind. Don’t let your guard down as your enemy wants you to fail. The enemy knows when to creep in. It’s always going to be in a slimy way. He’s going to have you question the mundane moments and question if God really cares. Thankfully, God put all his bets on the table for you. He is betting on you to win every time. Could you just have a little faith? Trust that there is a reason you’ve been given your responsibilities. There is a reason for each tear that falls down your cheek. There is a reason God chose you to walk through your darkest valleys. He knows the end, and he’s sharpening you up to be exactly who he created you to be.
If you’re alive today, it’s because God is not done with you. Your story is not over. You have a choice to use this page of your life and keep writing each detail or give up and pause right here. You can stop and look back at the earlier chapters and say, “those where the good days”, or you can keep moving forward and be grateful for your entire journey and say, “the best is still yet to come”. Thanks to Jesus, you and I will always have hope for a good future, as God sent you the gift of hope when he sent Jesus.
Your assignment today is to slow down and recognize that this is all temporary. You’ll look back one day and the problems you have today will be nonexistent. You’ll look back one day and realize that this moment was your chance to be happy with what you have. Your character will evolve with each chapter; you are not supposed to stay as you are. Acknowledge that this is the only day you’re going to have as the version of you that you are right now. Decide to be the best version of you, today. Decide to use everything God has blessed you with, and give him everything, while trusting he's going to use it all for your good, but ultimately, for his glory.
That’s right, you play an important role in God’s kingdom. God has a plan for you and all you must do, is show up with everything you have. The parts you can’t figure out and don’t make any darn sense, just leave it to him. He will fill in the gaps with his overwhelming love and abundance.
As much as you want to skip these pages, you can’t. The only way to the next page, is by going though this one right here. I pray you make it worth reading. I pray you don’t give up on yourself. I pray you find the strength and courage Jesus came here to give you. I pray you stay close to him and don’t lose faith as you draw closer to the unknown, but amazing destiny God has for you.
Love you lots,
Alicia Eve Varela
