This past weekend I was given a opportunity to present at a Ladies Business event. Each lady is a entrepreneur of a business they can choose to grow or choose not to grow. I said something that I haven’t been able to let go of….
“I won’t “pitch” you on rainbows & butterflies but I will pitch you on trenches & valleys”
Being a entrepreneur is hard work. The best thing is you DON’T have a boss & sometimes the worst thing is you DON’T have a boss. You yourself must hold yourself accountable. It gets really rough at some points, especially when you are working with people. Having people share their hopes & dreams & then watching them quit on it all days, weeks, months, years later.. it can really take a toll on you. BUT you have to always remember WHY it is you do what you do. What is the driving force behind it? Anyways… this isn’t a post about business but, what I said at the “business event” really applies to our faith as well…
Jesus never promised that once we started following Him & living life for Him that we would never have another worry in the world. I mean look at Moses, he was obedient… stubborn BUT obedient & look at all the trials & tribulations he faced. You can see all through Genesis that God provides Abraham with test & He will do the same to you & I. These “test” aren’t to bring us harm but to bring us closer & stronger in our faith in Him. He didn’t promise rainbows & butterflies. It’s ups & down, highs & lows. & it’s all a test of faith.
We tend to only praise God in the “rainbow & butterfly moments” but what about when we are in the “trenches” are you praising God for where He has you in those moments? It’s in those trenches where we make the choice if we will run to or run from Him.
This summer I faced many obstacles… I’ll tell ya more about them one day. But all summer I was more in the word than I have ever been in my life. I felt Gods presence I felt Him drawing me in. I fell in love all over again. “It was that can’t eat, can’t sleep, reach for the stars, world series kind of stuff” It was a love for scripture I had never felt. A few years ago if I would have gone through what I experienced this summer I would have ran to the bar every night & drank my sorrows away OR “taken it out at the gym” (I have a novel to write on this one day) BUT in this “hard” season God said, “Magen, lean in” & I was obedient.
So when you have tough times come along remember what Jesus experienced, remember the cross. Remember Jesus life was FAR from rainbows & butterflies, but it is the most beautiful life. During your “harder” seasons LEAN IN. Don’t run from Him, run TO Him. Praise Him in the trenches & valleys & KNOW you are not alone.
