Lessons Learned from the Prequel: Before there was EAT PRAY LOVE there was REJOICE PRAY THANKS

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I have spent so much time praying and asking God HIS will for my life and I will continue to converse with HIM about this topic; however, there are gems scattered through out Scripture that specifically address this topic.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 are just a few very direct verses on what God’s will is for all of our lives.  One thing I know for sure is that if God wills something for our lives then HE will definitely enable us to walk it out! Thus a “Kingdom Journey” emerged in my heart!  

The movie “Eat, Pray, Love” tells the story of one woman’s search for EVERYTHING!  She is completely broken and she feels the overwhelming need to be free!  Those three words always captured my attention. I could not put my finger on it, but something just did not ring true for me about those particular words. I recently realized those words kept leading me to the Word and another set of THREE rung true-REJOICE, PRAY, THANKS!  This fictional story about a broken freedom seeker drew me to the WORD to seek truth and guess what?  I found it!

We are all broken and overwhelmed with a desire to be free!  As followers of Christ, we realize we are imperfect servants who once were broken and in chains, but now we are whole and free, not because of anything we did, but because of what Christ did for us on the Cross!  Does this mean that all our gaps are filled, all our questions are answered, all our days are filled with rainbows and puppies and ponies-NO!  What is does mean is that we are never alone; we have a Savior that is never taken by surprise; we have significance and purpose because of the ONE who crafted us by hand; we are forgiven for all past, present and future sin, and we have a future in HEAVEN!  I will never get tired of sharing the hope that I profess!  Because my Jesus has been so very kind and merciful to me I will spend my entire life thinking of creative ways to express my love for HIM!  

So here is the “Kingdom Journey” I would love anyone who reads this to go on with me.  I want to take the 2013-2014 school year and label it-REJOICE-PRAY- THANKS!  The movie EAT- PRAY -LOVE tells the story of a woman stepping outside her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery!  I want the script of this school year to tell the story of a woman stepping outside her comfort zone, risking everything simply to follow Christ every second of every day, embarking on a journey wherever “That Jesus” says “GO” or “STAY” that becomes a quest for Christ-discovery, the PURSUIT OF GOD!  Where the character in EAT- PRAY- LOVE took four months to EAT her way through Italy, 4 months to PRAY her way through India and 4 months to LOVE her way through Indonesia, I am committing to a “Kingdom Journey” with 3 months REJOICING always, 3 months PRAYING continually and 3 months giving THANKS in all circumstances; for this is GOD’s will for me in Christ Jesus!

I can not wait to explore each of these words in depth and the many ways GOD has for me to live them out!  Thank you in advance for going on this “Kingdom Journey” with me.  My oldest child will be a senior this year.  I believe God has called me to this journey for such a time as this!  May he finish out his senior year with a mother who grew immeasurably from her pursuit of GOD and may the legacy of this journey leave “White Caps of Christ” in its wake!  

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for putting this “Kingdom Journey” on my heart!  May I learn to REJOICE, PRAY and give THANKS in all circumstances.  May I leave a legacy for every path I cross that leads others to want to know YOU for themselves, through YOUR WORD, through REJOICING PRAYING and giving THANKS!

GO GOD