As a person who used to run away from problems, who ran away from people who loved me, who could never feel good enough about anything, and who placed hope in the attention of others, I am continually touched by the order God brought to a once chaotic life.
Are you living in the hands of the world, or the hands of God? Your answer means everything.
Reading the comments left on this blog over the years, especially on posts like “Losing Friends, Gaining Faith” and “How to Find Joy in Miserable Moments” opened my eyes to how many lives have been saved, shown mercy, given peace and brought into the fold of cleansing, purification and love that can only come from God.
When we place our life in his hands, we trust in his guidance rather than our own. Crooked paths are made straight; sinful lives are made clean.
This morning, while driving in the car with my kids, I heard “By Your Side.” It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the life God rescued me from. A life of a person who couldn’t see the actions that hurt others and couldn’t hear words of truth.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” — Luke 23:34
Here are the lyrics to “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North. Pass them on to someone who may need them today.
And thank you God for filling this group with your talent and spirit to move us, remind us of your love and even draw us closer to you.
By Your Side
Tenth Avenue North
Why are striving these days
Why are trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don’t turn away.
Why are you looking for love
Why are you searching, as if I’m not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
‘Cause I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world’s sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
‘Cause I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
‘Cause I love you
I want you to know
That I love you
I’ll never let you go
This is the song as it was used in a sermon illustration at Pleasant Valley Church in Niles, OH
Despite a life of sin, he wants us. He will use us. I am just one person who can testify that he gives us a crown of beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
May God bless you and keep you strong in your walk with him. And may all the goodness in your life glorify God.
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” — James 1:18
David says
great article, I love that song too!
Jennifer Johns says
Yeh, I took the “KLOVE challenge” awhile back and even if I hear the same song a million times, it still fills me with encouragement!
Donna says
I have just found your blog. I know that I found it just when I needed to feel part of a community of people who are feeling as I do. I am the person who has run away from problems and then wondered why I continue to re-live the same trials. I am the person who won’t let anyone too close to me for fear that they will not like me or that they might see how shallow I really am inside. I am the person who God has blessed since I was little girl who through a loving Mother learned about a God who died for me. Yet I am also the person who seems no further along in my spiritual journey. I have given my life to God, I have experienced his love and goodness and yet….I still have trouble with living by true faith in Him.
I am just reading everything on this blog now. I feel God has led me here to see I’m not alone. One question…..are they daily blogs or do I continue to just follow all past posts and then responses?
Thank you for this blog.
keesha rochelle says
I felt like God led me to read this,i really needed it and it has really given me the motivation i needed to live a more upright life.Thank you