It's been a year since Wholehearted began and I have lots to share...
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:14
A year ago, amongst the strange time of lockdown, I was inspired to create this blog. I always wrote little pieces the Holy Spirit laid on my heart and at a time of complete seclusion to home, I was led to begin Wholehearted.
It is quite ironic that the name of this blog is Wholehearted because little did I know that a few weeks into this blog, God would lead me on a journey that transformed my heart wholeheartedly. God brought people and sources into my life that sparked this transformation and I sit here today, writing this post, releasing a big, huge sigh of relief.
WHEW. I made it!
I can confidently say that last year was hard - it was really tough. I faced extreme anxiety, a feeling I had never felt before besides the odd speech, exam, or ballet performance. I do not know why it started but I do know that it turned me into someone unrecognisable. Amber was a nervous-wreck - life was upside down and it was all happening inside of her. My family couldn't understand it because, although it was lockdown, I was at home, with my family, in my safe place. Looking back it feels like a blur, a lifetime ago, yet if the trials I faced, the emotions I felt, and the choices I had to make never happened, I would not be the Amber I am today.
The Amber writing this post today is completely, utterly, and 100%, in love with God. I am wholeheartedly dependant on Jesus as I walk in this life and I am wholeheartedly certain that I am in desperate need of a Saviour. I learned that imperfection is finding perfection in Christ. I learned that humility is knowing that your value in God is far more beautiful, freeing, and safe, than finding value in your own actions or what society says. I learned that humbling yourself as God wants us to, is putting down what you can or cannot do, and letting God take control. I found that by my weakness, there is strength in Him. I discovered that my faith will take knocks to the point of choosing Life or Death, and taking that bold step to trust God and lean not on your own understanding, is enough to move mountains. Because faith truly is the assurance of what we hope for and not what we can see.
I learned that worry truly shouldn't add a single hour to your life because every hour, every minute, every second is in God's hands - when you give it to Him!
I learned that when there is great sin, there is great forgiveness, and there is great love.
I learned that a broken heart is beautiful to the Father. It is a heart He desires because it is a heart only He can heal. He understands it, He knows it, He felt it. He is close there - where the confusion is pain and the tears are filling buckets, and where hope seems lost. He is there. His gentle hands tenderly touch those wounds and He collects every tear that falls to plant seeds of restoration, growth, and rest. A broken heart learns to find its song. A broken heart finds worship, and that worship is the most beautiful of them all. There is a hope given to all those who are broken - and that is spoken by God Himself: "I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing." Jeremiah 31:13. Joy. Gladness. Dancing. Singing. This is God's promise of deliverance to all those who seek Him and follow Him wholeheartedly. His unfailing love pursues us and never ever runs out.
Lastly, I have learned that trials will come, and I will gladly accept and take on each one. The truth in Paul's words when he says, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment." Romans 5:3-5. These are words inspired by the Holy Spirit and the truth of them are, yes, trials are hard, but how wonderful is that! We have faith that the outcome of them is joy and rejoicing, so why not rejoice in them now too for we are building endurance and character. We need this for the world we live in and God uses this for His Kingdom.
So, happy birthday Wholehearted family! I know I never posted every week but the posts I did get to write truly helped me in this season of transformation, and I hope they did too in your life. I encourage you to remain steadfast in Jesus, in His Word, and in faithful prayer. I encourage you to never stop worshipping our loving Father in your ways and to seek to maintain a grateful heart, because a heart of thanks is a heart at rest in Him. May you never stop seeking Jesus and His Will for your life because in the end He is all that matters!
Father God, we come to You in the Name of Jesus. Thank You Lord for Your Word spoken into our lives giving us a hope and a future of what is to come. Thank You Lord that even when we don't understand, we can still put our trust in You. Lord, through every season You have remained faithful and we thank You that we can trust in Your faithfulness no matter what season we face. Teach us Your Word, lead us in Your Way, and create in us pure hearts that are wholeheartedly devoted to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalms 27:14
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6
They cried out to You and were saved. They trusted in You and were never disgraced. Psalms 22:5
Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23
You love Me even though you have never seen Me. Though you do not see Me now, you trust Me; and you rejoice with inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Me will be the salvation of your soul. 1 Peter 1:8
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