Good Morning Girls!  The other day while working out I was exhausted and struggling.  We (by we I mean me and my new friends whom I'm never met on the DVD) were doing standing mountain climbers.  Standing mountain climbers are running with high knees as you reach upward alternating arms like you are climbing a mountain.  They get me every time.  On this particular day I didn't even have the energy to climb an anthill but I was determined to push through.

I closed my eyes for a moment trying to find my "happy place".  However, my moment must have lasted a little too long because next thing I know my heel somehow catches on the bottom of the couch and half of my body lunges forward while the right heel is stuck under the couch!  It all happened so fast, I don't know how I managed to come out standing straight with no injury.  "Thank you Jesus!" was all I could say. (and then I looked around to see if anyone had seen the show, which I am sure was quite amusing)

This was the perfect moment for the Holy Spirit to bring something to my attention....as I was still trying to comprehend what had just happened.  "You cannot close your eyes to whats happening.  You cannot always try to escape to your happy place when it gets difficult.  You have to stay alert.  Present.  And prepared". 

Ouch!  That was a lot to hear at that moment.  It hurt because I knew it was good word spoken to my heart.  I have been closing my eyes a lot.  Seeking my happy place.  Trying to escape.  The reason that is not good is because I have not always sought these things in the Lord.  I have sought them elsewhere.  I have sought them in the bottom of a bag of pita chips (don't be fooled Girls....yes, they are healthier than regular chips, but a whole bag of anything is not good).  I have sought them in sugar.  I have sought them in tv.  I have sought them in distraction.  I have even sought them in my quest for perfection.....ouch....that one hurts to admit.....

Here's the deal.  It's okay to enjoy a tv show.  It's okay to have an ice cream cone.  It's okay to set your cares aside and have some fun. What you need to look at is your motive, and your time invested in these things.  If you are trying to escape it all, you will never find true reprieve in the things of the world.  The Lord wants us to find relief, rest, and our "happy place"........ He simply wants us to find these things in Him.  He is our refuge.  He is our strength.  He is the One to curl up with and ask "will you please just make it all go away?".  He will most likely say "No.  But I will be there with you every step of the way"  (by the way....if He answers yes....let me know, because I would like to know how you got Him to answer that way lol)

The other reason why it is dangerous to constantly be closing your eyes to the pain and seeking escape outside from God is that once you enter the world's happy place.....you enter the devil's playground!  He loves to lure us in with promises of relief and reprieve.  He loves to whisper "come.....let your hair down.....relax.........forget about your troubles......."  He will even use the Word against you by saying "It's okay.....you can do whatever you want.....can't you?......doesn't God say He will love you no matter what.......if you make a mistake aren't you covered by grace.......why should you miss all the fun......."

As soon as you are lured in, he will pounce!  He will lunge at you faster than I went lunging from the couch.  He will turn the tables on you and say "uh-oh.....I can't believe you did that.....what would the others think.......you can't go back there now.  You can't hang out with those people anymore......what would they say if they knew........"  You will be at the mercy of the enemy, and you will have to fight your way back......ask me how I know!

Now remember, if you are in this place right now.....you can walk away from the enemy....right now.....today!  Any mistakes, any misjudgments you may or may not have made, are in fact forgiven.  You are covered by Gods grace and mercy.  The devil has no right to keep you on his playground.  Jesus died on the cross so that you may, at any time, return to Him and experience His perfect love.  His complete forgiveness.  His protection.....refuge....and strength......

Wow!  Got on a preach there.....that ought to give me a lot to process today.....FYI- I am preaching to myself here!  It is one thing to know these truths.  It is another thing to walk in them........

1 Peter 5:8-9  Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

Love, faith, and eyes wide open to you all,
Jen