on top of the world while in the valley

I... would think that having just come back from a retreat, I would have been able to hit the ground running. Full of courage and strength to go in guns blazing, but the last couple of weeks I've felt very...tired. Probably because things have not gotten better, they've gotten worse.
But it's not that, it's this verse:

" 'You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
Isaiah 20:17

So I've done that exactly. Except for the discouraged part...
Yesterday I was very discouraged. I focused on how out of control things seems to be.

but they're not though!

God is working and in control.
Perspective is everything, you know? Like that moment where Lizzy Bennet stands on top of a cliff in the Peak District. There's something comforting about feeling small, in a vast area that swallows you whole.
The presence of God is a great place to start. During worship on Sunday, I felt him reminding me that he is right there. Next to me. If I pay close enough attention, I could feel that he's so close, I could feel his breath on my cheek.
So how do the two topics connect? Cuz I'm sure you're thinking that I've rabbit trailed. ;) When I get that close- when I'm fully aware of Him, I'm also aware of the work that he's doing that I can't see and therefore I'm not prone to get discouraged.
Perspective is everything.

Adversity

Adversity comes in many forms.

This year's model is someone who once said, "Whatever God wants."
Now it seems that whatever is brought to the table is shot down because that person doesn't know what it is that God wants.

Truly, the will of God is not that hard to figure out. Discerning what is in line with that will takes very little time, usually. Obviously there are exceptions, but the desire to overcomplicate the basics is ridiculous.

But how do you fight with someone and fight for them at the same time? The concept of working to help and serve the very person who seems bent on trying see you fail is a paradoxical situation that I find myself in.

How do you love the very person who makes you want to give up on people like him entirely?

Jesus was an expert at this wasn't he? The perfect person to have pride to the eleventh degree, served those he came to lead and save. Those who would later serve him with their lives completely, he served while they still didn't "get it." They argued over everything, deserted him (except John) when he went to trial. He would lay out God's plan in front of them with perfect clarity and they STILL didn't understand. It blows my mind that Jesus TOLD them exactly how he'd be killed and when and they were surprised when it happened. Jesus served them then. That is really cool to me.

He serves us before we understand so that when we do, we can serve others like he served us.

If there was ever a time where "be Jesus" was applicable in my life as a command, it would be now. The need for being an imitator of Him is so much greater than anything I've ever been faced with. This is the battle he has chosen for me to fight and he has given me the grace to bear it and to have victory in it. The fantastic part is that he hasn't called me to do it completely alone. I've been given a few "traveling companions" that will help to encourage me and challenge me. :) Bonus: I get to work towards my heart's desire in the process and the prize will be the victory Christ desires in my heart and in theirs.

Amen.