When I came to faith in Christ I was already a damaged, broken-by-the-world girl who viewed life with wary, shy and cautious eyes.
So my heart yearned and burned for Jesus, the only One who has ever loved me unconditionally and sets me free from guilt and shame.
He alone restores my soul and is continually healing and making me whole.
I began as an ardent follower and fan in my naming and proclaiming ‘Jesus Loves You’ sticker days.
Now, in maturity, I see how sitting at His feet is the best thing for me; spending time quietly listening while I contemplate His beauty, seeking to know Him more fully as I learn to rest in His finished work on the cross and my new identity in Him.
And aiming more and more to be an imitator of my Teacher, a messenger for the Master, a grateful grace-dweller and Truth-revealer.
I want to lean in close like John and Mary did, believe and live as though I am His beloved.
The way I’ve travelled has been full of pain and pitfalls to fight through as much as it has been gifted with grace, but my years of yearning after Jesus will never end.
He is my everything, all the more as time passes and my deep dependency grows stronger in weakness.
As I prayed this morning, the words I sensed on my heart made their way into the poem below.
It may have taken longer than the allotted five minutes to write but it has become my contribution to the word “Follow” as I join Kate and fellow five-minute friday writers who spill out their heart-words for us to read and share. Come join us?
‘Pilgrim path’
Follow hard after God’s heart
Follow through dark valleys, rocky paths
Keep your mind aligned to Mine
Keep going though the Way seems blind
Yield yourself willingly
Surrender each day to Me
Watch where I am leading you
No matter where others are going to
My path is hard; My path is long
But I keep you steady and make you strong
Listen above all to My gentle voice
Quieten yourself away from life’s noise
Be an example; be a shining light
Show My love, My power and might
Reveal the world’s great need of Me
and how it’s seen in dependency
Come, My pilgrim child, take My hand
As you follow Me your life will expand
©JoyLenton2015
Poetry Joy 
Yes, yes, yes. You echo my heart too, dearest Joy. A hard road, but worth every painful step and every childish skip.
It is a hard road indeed, Keren. You know well how challenging things can be and the encouragement we receive with “every painful step and childish skip” we make in our walk of life and faith. Bless you, dear friend. Xx
Amen
Hi Gretiana. Thank you for visiting and finding something that resonated with your soul. God bless you. 🙂
“As you follow Me your life will expand.” So true! Think you nailed it when you said you were learning to rest in His finished work on the cross and you new identity in Him. Am discovering that is the secret. Am the type that likes to do and stay busy rather than rest, but there is such quietness and strength when we dwell w/Christ (Ps 91:1) and learn to be still. Have heard that for years and many people tell me I just need to be still in this season and it’s taken a few hard-knocks to figure that out. But I needed to see your blog today and to see what comes of being still/resting rather than doing. Thank you.
I agree with you, Amy. Although our souls may initially resist it, “there is such quietness and strength when we dwell with Christ and learn to be still”, and that alone makes the experience worth seeking after. I’m blessed by your visit and humbled if my words have helped you. Keep on persevering, friend. It will be worth it in the end. 🙂 x
What a lovely poem. I love “Keep your mind aligned to mine.” Much to think about here. Hugs.
Thank you, Dianne! I’m blessed by your visit and grateful you could find something to bless you here too. Hugs. 🙂 x
“Follow hard after God’s heart.” Oh yes! Following His heart IS so hard at times. I like the idea of relentless pursuit this conveys. Yes. That is how we MUST follow Him.
Hi Elizabeth. It’s lovely to meet you! Thanks for stopping by. I’m blessed by your lovely comment and encouraged by your zeal for the Lord. May you continue to pursue Him wholeheartedly. Bless you, friend. 🙂 x