YOU WILL COME BACK STRONGER!

On January 28, 2010, Lisa’s posting was titled Have You Strayed? I would like to readdress that subject because just recently I have been reminded how easy it is for us to stray. I know that there was a time in my life that I strayed and I believe that God calls us back to Him in different ways, for me it was very painful, broken heart painful.

Just before we left Florida, God started calling me back to him, well, rather I tell people that He reached out and grabbed me by the hair of my head and said “Cindy, enough is enough, it’s time to come back!” I believe that God lets us go through things, to get those things out of our system. We’re not thinking about God when we are constantly thinking about ourselves. I believe God gives us up to our selfishness and let’s us “go it” alone. Well, we think that we are going it alone, but if you are a Christian, God is always close by. Sometimes we push God away, but He will never leave us.

The Bible gives us a perfect example of another person that strayed. That would be Peter when He denied Jesus three times when Jesus was crucified. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and the other disciples while they were fishing. After the disciples brought their fish to shore and they were all sitting around by the campfire, Jesus asked Peter 3 times “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” The third time, Peter was very hurt because Jesus asked him 3 times “do you love me?” Then Jesus said “Feed my sheep” meaning, you were weak and turned away from me, but now that you are back....you are going to come back stronger and I have a job for you.

I know how Peter must have felt. When Jesus called me back to Him, all I could do was beg for His forgiveness because I am the one that turned my back on Him. But, He didn’t see it that way, oh, He did ask me if I loved Him and when I said yes, Lord, you know that I love you, then He said, you’re going to come back stronger and oh by the way.....I have a job for you!

I think that anytime we stray from God and come back to Him, that we come back stronger and that He has a job for each of us. It’s up to us to say yes and follow wherever He leads us. You might be surprised where God leads you, but I can tell you that He has a job for you and it’s better than you could ever imagine. Can you hear Him calling you? He has a job for you to do and when you come back to Him, you will come back stronger.

Dear Father,
I know that someone reading this post has strayed from you. I know that we are allowed to stray from you in order to get things out of our system and I know that when we come back to You that You will bring us back stronger. Dear Lord, I pray that when the person reading this does turn back to You, that You bring him or her back stronger and I know that You will give that person all the strength that is needed to do the job that You have planned. My fervent prayer Lord, is that it’s never our will, but in all things, Your will be done.

verses referenced is: John 21:15-17 (NIV)