When I first met my girlfriend Ali Ballweg one of places she talked about most besides home was a place called Kiwi’s nest. She frequently posted seasonal pictures of this “captivating creation”. I have been wanting to take a trip to Kiwi’s for a rather long time and we finally had the opportunity to venture there together last weekend. It was indeed as beautiful and amazing as she described and I have since then become attached to the place myself. My camera ran out of battery (wouldn’t you know it) right as we started walking down the creek, but I did catch a few pictures…
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
- Psalm 73:25-26
There are many periods of my life when I feel like my hope in Christ is threatened. Whether it’s fighting to trust God in all circumstances, having faith despite unfaithfulness or repenting after finding myself astray from the narrow road. There are so many alternative sources of fulfillment and contentment in this world, but what really fills our desires?
God’s power and mighty existence is one of capability. There is no obstacle that can withstand the mighty hand of God. We often make feeble attempts to take His plan and remold it to our “wants”, but we arrive at the road to nowhere very quickly. An observation that I have made through out my faith journey is that God only provides strength to do the things that are apart of His plan. When I find myself week and weary it’s often because I’m trying to strive toward an earthly reward instead of an eternal reward. God will not give us strength if we aren’t following Him with a whole heart. When we look to Him in all circumstances and daily walk by faith and NOT by sight, then we will produce fruit abundantly.
We are imperfect beings. There is no good in us apart from God’s presence in our hearts. Our hearts and flesh cry out for life and too often we try to quench our thirsty souls with short-lived fulfillment. The struggle comes down to eternity. When we think of God’s reward for us we try and make it something tangible and of this world. God may bless us with many things in this life, but many of the things we work toward are eternal! In the midst of trial and persecution it’s hard to strive for something that we have to wait for, we just want out! However, a patient faith that gains eternity with Christ is better than an impatient faith that spends eternity void of God’s presence.
No matter the situation, circumstance, conversation or position that you are in, God is your portion and will fulfill your hearts desire. If we step out in faith we will see God’s faithfulness. When we rely on His strength, we will move mountains in this world. When we pursue Christ wholeheartedly, we will find more then our minds can fathom. The Lord is our portion and He DOES satisfy.
