Sunday morning’s “Jesus Calling” was a message straight to my heart and seemed to be taken directly from the path of my journey of the past week or two.

September 1

Seek Me with your whole being. I desire to be found by you, and I orchestrate the events of your life with that purpose in mind. When things go well and you are blessed, you can feel Me smiling on you. When you encounter rough patches along your life-journey, trust that My Light is still shining upon you. My reasons for allowing these adversities may be shrouded in mystery, but My continual Presence with you is an absolute promise. Seek Me in good times; seek Me in hard times. You will find Me watching over you all the time. (underlining, bold mine)

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
—Deuteronomy 4:29

Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
—Hebrews 10:23

Sunday morning, I posted the following to FaceBook:

At the end of this month, I will have been attending Celebrate Recovery for 5 years, While there, I’ve realized my default emotion is (self)condemnation. For the past week or so, I’ve felt it approaching again. But it’s different this time: .see more.

• 1) I don’t fear it as before
• 2) I’m sharing instead of hiding
• 3) I’m recognizing patterns, thoughts and pathways that need to be changed.
• 4) I’m making sure I stay in touch with OTHERS who need me. (I need them, too)
• 5) I KNOW I have access to the Presence of GOD – with FREEDOM and BOLDNESS – JustAsIAm!
• 6) I have a “GetOutaJail-FREE” card in one hand, and an invitation to a “ComeAsYouAre” party in the other.

Each of these 6 points could easily become a separate blog post. If (as) I do, I’ll try to come back and link to them.(here) But, for now, let me simply say this about point 6:

I’ve realized that the “GetOutaJail-FREE” ‘n the “ComeAsYouAreParty” is only one card. When I open the envelope that is addressed to me, I find my invitation to the party. On the inside, it says: “GetOutaJail-FREE! If I wait until I think I’m “good enough” to come to the party, I stay locked up. Jesus is throwing the party. He has invited me. It is “At the Party” that I find all I need for life. When I’m enjoying myself “at the party” all is well with me. But when the Host wants the theme of the party to become a time of change for me, the temptation to try to change my own clothes can get overwhelming. I have my part, He has His. Mostly, my part is just staying at the party. With Him. Whether or not I’m “having fun”! Submission to HIS work in me is my choice. I am not the entertainment at this party. My continued attendance does not depend upon my performance.

(Hmmm – performers at the party – judgment of… sounds like a future post idea)

Consider it pure joy,.. whenever you face trials of many kinds… James1:2 NIV