Follow His Footprints

Worshipful Leaping

Hopping easily from one stone to the next, the path across the river seems clear.  I slip and nearly fall but quickly regain my footing.  Looking up, the next step appears miles away requiring a jump to a jagged rock in flowing water.  I could turn around, but I’ve come this far and the destination should be glorious.  With renewed concentration, I carefully leap ahead. Finally reaching the other side, I rejoice in the journey and magnificent peace.

Following Jesus is like obedient steps through the river of life.  At first, the stones may be close together in a calm, shallow river.  We quickly step seeing an obvious path. We keep following, maybe even jumping into unknown waters. But little do we know the next leg of the journey includes raging rapids with unclear leaps.

God doesn’t show us the whole path of our journeys for a reason.  If He did, we’d probably quit or never begin; knowing the path could bring uncomfortable leaps of faith, failure, or sadness.  But we also don’t see the unspeakable joy and peace experienced either.  He just asks us to follow.  As we follow, we usually can only see far enough ahead for the next step.

Obedient following is worshipful.  It includes fervent prayer, passionate praise and even regret if not following as we should.  Penitent hearts are forgiven by an all knowing God and a peace found only in Him results. Sounds a lot like worship to me!

obedient following

This is following Jesus and His path with abandon.  It becomes a worship we live every day.  It is deepened by obediently taking those steps, whether smooth and easy or jagged and challenging.  It is strengthened by an ongoing relationship with our Savior expressed in daily life, private and public prayer and worship.[tweetthis]Obediently following #Jesus is everyday worship #soul #wellness[/tweetthis]

I admit I haven’t always lived like this.  I often only wanted smooth and easy. Then jagged and difficult came and the only place I knew to look was at Jesus.

He carried me, pointed out each stone and helped smooth the path.  On the other side, He comforted and strengthened.  Then He asked me to keep following.  This time, the path was more unfamiliar.  Soon there were large leaps, but with each step or leap, He was with me.

Maybe you have felt God asking you to take a step.  Maybe it’s small, maybe it’s a leap.  Whatever your next step, trust Jesus.  Give Him your attention, don’t look too far ahead or try to second guess.  Don’t question or try to be logical, because sometimes following is not logical.  Sometimes it’s about taking the proverbial leap of faith.

Take the giant leap.

Pray the impossible prayer.

We may fall or not get the answer we seek.  But the act of obediently following God is never a wasted act.  In fact, it’s very much like worshipful leaping.

This week I took another big leap with my work at MemoryMinders.  It’s an unknown leap, but one I know I’m called to provide.  While the path ahead may seem unclear, let’s keep leaping my friends and savor each worshipful moment with our Savior.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.’ ~ Matthew 16:24, NLT

Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup and Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Jaime Wiebel at #SittingAmongFriends and Kelly Smith at #FridayFive Linkup

signature

How ARE you?

How are you?  Our reply to this common greeting speaks volumes about our inner wellness.  The most common response is good, fine or maybe even living the dream!  Other times, we fib a little, saying we’re fine when we’re anything but.  When tired, anxious, sad, or stressed, we think no one really wants to know so we say we are good. Can we really be good or well in the midst of a bad day or mixed feelings?  I think so and here’s why.

I make a conscious effort to reply I am well, because it’s is a great reminder that I truly AM well.  I may be tired, stressed or even under the weather, but I’m still well where it matters most-in my soul.  This may seem contradictory but it’s true.

Whatever my issues today, deep down I know all of these are temporary.  Wellness is constantly adapting to each day’s challenges. Yet, true wellness is not only found in body or mind. These are important, but I believe true wellness comes from within.

The element of wellness surpassing all others is soul wellness.  Some people at the end of their lives are fully at peace.  A calm transcends them.  Confident in their soul’s wellness, they have peace with what comes next.  Then there’s the opposite-those deathly afraid of this life ending and what that represents.  Maybe you know these people.  They have everything in life but still are searching.  Feeling out of control of the end, they are desperate to fill an inexplicable void, an emptiness they cannot explain. Their soul needs to find its lifeline, its peace, its wellness.

Where is your wellness found?

I have cared for people with both physical and mental ailments. Through their lives and my own, I learned we can still be well in the midst of mind or body challenges.   Our view of wellness can be shifted based on our perspective and where we find our wellness.  When we first build wellness in our soul, the mental and physical wellness can flow from there.  And even if it doesn’t, we can still be well.

A person at peace with themselves and whatever life throws at them truly is well.  They are well in their soul, not because of where their path is going but with Whom they are traveling.  My soul is at rest because I know wherever I go, God is with me.

[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@JillMHoven” url=”https://www.followhisfootprints.org/how-are-you/”]Soul wellness comes not from where we’re going but with Whom we’re traveling [/tweetthis]

Wellness comes from whom we follow by Jill Hoven at followhisfootprints.org.Years ago, little things would unnerve me.  Not so anymore.  I may still get upset, but in the midst I strive to seek God and His path for me. When I do, it’s an adventure beyond my wildest dreams. Even if I take a wrong turn, He’s still there.   Wellness starts with Who we follow.  Following Jesus, we are truly well, no matter the circumstance.

This is why I say I am well when asked.  It’s a verbal reminder that no matter how I feel, I am still well.    My reply focuses me on Jesus and His path instead of my temporary feelings of the day. Some of my close friends understand my little reply and we now say it to each other.  It’s a great way to encourage each other in our soul wellness.

For this Thoughtful Thursday, try responding with I am well and see if it changes your wellness perspective too!

How am I?  I am well.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

Linking up with Winter Lawson at #UsCoffeeandJesus,  Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Abby McDonald at #RaRaLinkup, Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart,  Jaime Wiebel at #SittingAmongFriends and Jennifer Moye at #JesusandCoffee

Save

signature

When the Bottom Drops Out

Just before you step into the clear capsule three stories above the ground, the lifeguard says “arms crossed tight across your chest like this,” making an X with her arms to demonstrate.  “Now cross your feet and enjoy the ride!”  Her smile is the last thing seen as the floor drops and you fly through slippery blind turns ending a few seconds later in a wave of water.  Sound fun?

For some, absolutely!  But for me, no thank you.  On the ground taking pictures works for me, thanks for asking.  This new type of water slide is all the rage, but to some it’s just scary. Worries overwhelm. Even if we know it’s coming, having the bottom drop and not know where you’re going is daunting, in slides or life.

Ever feel like the bottom of your world just dropped?  It’s worrisome enough when it’s anticipated:  living with a chronic condition or awaiting a life altering event.  But it’s even worse when it’s sudden: the unexpected death, job loss or unwanted medical diagnosis.  How do we manage when the floor of life opens and sends us flying down an unseen path?

What we do next is important.  If the bottom falls out what would you do? In heart pounding, stomach in our throat moments, we may not see any choices. But we always have choices and what we choose makes a difference.

We can choose to believe this world is all that matters. Or we can choose to place our trust in the One who holds this world in His hands.  I choose the latter.  When my bottom dropped out, God was there.  He’s always there. It’s our choice to see Him or not.[tweetthis]See God’s Presence and Choose Soul Wellness #SpringintoWellness[/tweetthis]Choose Soul Wellness

This is soul wellness.  It’s faith without seeing.  It’s a knowing inside that whatever happens, it’s ok.  God’s got the world in His hands.  He’s had a plan since the beginning.  He has a plan for us: a good, hopeful plan.  We usually mess with the plan.  We think we can control things of this world. While we can control some things, ultimately the big picture is up to Him.

When thinking about wellness, it’s not only about body wellness as we discussed yesterday, or mind wellness as I challenged you on Monday, but also of soul wellness.  These three components of wellness:  soul, mind and body are what we’ll explore in this challenge.  Our Thursdays will be focused on soul wellness.

So what is wellness exactly?  Many believe it’s being healthy.  At a wellness visit as it’s called now the doctor checks our numbers: weight, blood pressure, labs, etc.  But these aren’t our wellness.  They are indicators of our wellness.  A worsening memory, feeling stressed, depressed or lack of interest in life are indicators of our mind wellness.

What’s acceptable as well varies from person to person and day to day.  We all strive for those magic numbers or indicators of wellness, but it’s unrealistic.  We are all unique and so is our wellness.

If our blood pressure is high or we feel depressed, we seek out someone to help us toward better body or mind wellness.  But what about if the bottom drops?  What about when we feel an ache in our being or an uneasiness we can’t explain?  These soul wellness indicators are sometimes called a mid-life crisis, poor stress management or fear of the future.  While all apt descriptions, they speak to the bigger issue of soul wellness.

Soul wellness is the peace we do or do not have in the depths of our being.  I have a peace that surpasses all understanding thorough my faith in Jesus.  I pray you do too.  I believe we need to nurture all these elements of our wellness to truly be well.  Wellness, the ever-changing entity, will ebb and flow in our lifetime.  Wellness is a journey; a path changing daily.  This journey to wellness in soul, mind and body is what we’ll explore in the next few weeks of the Challenge.

As mentioned yesterday, I’d love for us all to make a Wellness goal in each of these areas. Yesterday I gave you my body wellness goals.  Here are my soul wellness goals:

  1. Seek Him first daily in prayer and in the Bible.  Then listen and apply what I hear and learn!
  2. Trust God more than myself; follow His plan even if/when it may not seem logical.  (This is a daily challenge for me!)

Ask yourself this, if the bottom fell out of your world, what would you do?  Who would you turn to for help?  For this Thoughtful Thursday, let’s think on our soul wellness and challenge ourselves to nurture it in the next few weeks.

Share with a comment here, on social media or just jot down your goals for yourself. Choose to pay attention to your soul wellness.  It will bless you with in explicable peace if or when the bottom ever drops out.

Haven’t joined the Spring into Wellness Challenge yet? Sign up and ask a friend to join us!  It’s never too late to be well!

Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuestday, Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Jaime Weibel at #SittingAmongFriends Carolina Cisneros at #Open Mic Monday and Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth

signature

He is Risen, Indeed!

“He is Risen Indeed” is our response Easter morning to the proclamation “He is Risen!”  I’ve often wondered why we have a response on Easter versus Christmas when we just say “Merry Christmas”.  I’m not sure of the exact reason, but for me it prompts deeper thought.  It helps me internalize the significance of the statement.  Because Jesus rose from death to life, we too can live. He did what no one else could do: redeem us.  R=Redeemed.R=Redeemed

For the last seven weeks, we’ve looked at being His follower.  We discussed how being His follower takes faith.  We should obey, love, listen, look for opportunities, be in His Word and encourage others.  But none of these are as important as this last element. In ancient Israel, a redeemer is typically a family member who bought someone’s way to freedom.  Jesus, our brother, did this for all of us.  He completed what we could not.  He fully redeemed us to live freely forever with God.

Everything pales in comparison to the eternal truth of Jesus’ sacrifice.  God loved us so much He not only created us but saved us from ourselves by sending His Son.  Because of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, we can eternally commune with God.  He fought the fight, ran the race and won the ultimate battle over death.  While all the previous elements of being His follower are significant, none of them matter as much as being forever Redeemed.

I sin, we all sin and try as I might, I will still sin.  But the beauty of redemption means that those sins are forever washed away.  They no longer control me or my eternal destiny.  That fight has been fought and won by Jesus.

Believing and professing this, I strive to live my life for Him.  As His follower, I put my faith in Him alone.  I attempt to obey, love, listen and look for opportunities to serve.  I follow His Word as my map and try to be an encouraging voice in this world.  But some days I fall short.  Some moments are not very memorable.  But in those moments I again gain understanding and fully appreciate how I am redeemed.

God doesn’t remind me of my faults.  He looks at me and my sin and sees Jesus.  He hears my prayers, directs my path and leads me to my eternal home all because of Jesus. While it’s my job and life goal to be His follower, His was to be my Redeemer.

I don’t have to do any of the other things we’ve just spend the last seven weeks discussing.  While I will continue to attempt all of them to grow closer to Him, I don’t need to.  The only thing I need is to know I’m redeemed.  That’s it.  Believe and trust in what He did.  He redeemed me.  That’s all that matters.

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. ~Job 19:25 (NLT)

Linking up with Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Jaime Weibel at #SittingAmongFriends and Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday

signature

Creating Hope Inspired Goals

Hope and change: two powerful words behind every resolution. Whether made on January 1 or another new beginning, we hope for better and resolve to change. But let’s not lose sight of where our ultimate hope resides.

Resolutions are declarations to change. Change is difficult. It takes reflection, understanding ourselves and having the will to transform. Enter the resolution. We resolve to change this, that or the other thing. But when challenging steps towards change begin, many lose willpower. If immediate change isn’t apparent, we can give up too soon and our resolve and resolutions are gone.

Instead of resolutions, let’s set goals. Resolutions to change can lead to life altering goals. Instead of resolutions, let’s set goals. Resolutions to change can lead to life altering goals. On the MemoryMinders blog, I share my preference for goals and how to set them. We can resolve to change but goals provide a framework for that change.

The root of any goal is hope. We hope to improve, learn, achieve, grow, or understand. As long as we have hope, all things are possible. But as hope fades, goals fade.

Whether beginning a new year or new season of life, let us never lose hope. Set goals, make them measurable and take steps towards them. But remember, our hope comes from God.

A new year, resolution or goal always needs hope.

We hope in Advent and at Christmas for the One to save us; let’s focus now on the Hope that sustains us.

Only Jesus provides this hope and we receive this hope through faith. Faith is hoping in what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 tells us:

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

When we put our hope, our faith in Jesus, He does not disappoint. We can resolve to change but putting our hope in the newest diets, exercises, others or ourselves without His hope within us will never bring the ultimate change we seek.

So as we hope and wait for the future Jesus has won for us, how do we live this life we’ve been given? This has been a question on my heart. Am I following His lead, His will and plan for my life?

I hope so. As I contemplate this, some goals come to mind. I begin this new year with the Hope that sustains me, leads me and never leaves me. Setting my goals with His will in my mind and His hope in my soul will help me continue to follow His footprints.

[tweetthis]Whether beginning a #newyear or new season of life, let us never lose #hope.[/tweetthis]

Here and also on the MemoryMinders blog, I discuss goals and how to follow our unique paths to wellness in body, mind and soul. I hope you’ll join me. Wellness or any goal begins with hope and our greatest hope resides in Him.

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. ~1 Peter 1:3

Save

Save

signature

Latest Tweets

Recent Facebook Posts

Unable to display Facebook posts.
Show error

Error: (#10) To use 'Page Public Content Access', your use of this endpoint must be reviewed and approved by Facebook. To submit this 'Page Public Content Access' feature for review please read our documentation on reviewable features: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/review.
Type: OAuthException
Code: 10
Please refer to our Error Message Reference.