Just Trying to Get to the Other Side

      As I stood in the chill with my best friend, awaiting the Notre Dame football game,  I was taken in by what the crowd was doing.  I began watching a line form and realized something was about to take place.  I have been to many Notre Dame football games but this was the first time I was able to be at the game early enough to see the football team enter the stadium.  The fans had formed a line with an open path for the team to come down and into the stadium.  As we stood there watching and waiting for the team, about 3 people deep from the inside of the open path, many people were simple trying to just get though to the other side.  The line formed was blocking passage to get easily to the other side of the stadium.  It seemed that they kept attempting to get through right where WE were standing. Each time they would come and say "Im just trying to get to the other side", and we would let them pass.   I laughingly teased by best friend about it and said to him, " Dude, what are you doing that makes them think its okay to cross here?" when there were hundreds of other places to cross through.  We both laughed.  It seemed that each time someone asked to pass us and cross over to the other side, the crowd would shift and we would get closer to the inside of the open path. It wasn't long before we were just one person away from the opening of the path. Eventually we watched, in all its celebration, Head Coach Brian Kelly, with his oodles of security surrounding him, lead his team proudly into the stadium to get dressed, ready and warmed up for game time as the crowd cheered them on. 

   As we headed into the game, we both had life heavy on our hearts.  It had been a difficult week of challenges, heart ache, dealing with anxiety, and trying to trust God in the thick of it all.  We had decided that the tickets to the game given to me would be a great distraction to all life had been throwing at us from different directions, and to give our minds a break, for a couple hours, to focus on something else for a bit and find some simple joy in friendship, as we cheered on The Fighting Irish as they beat UNC.

     Later as we headed back to the house we were chatting and trying to encourage each other and remind each other of Gods promises for our lives, and each of our families lives as we were looking to the week ahead.  As it has happened many times in my life before, God uses regular every day events or happening to speak into my minds vision to help me to grasp his reminders, encouragement and to remind me that he has me in the palm of His hand.

  While we were standing there talking, the vision of people "trying to get through to the other side" at the game came to mind.  I simply said to my best friend, "That is what we are also trying to do, just like those dozens of people, just simply "get to the other side" of our mountains."  Those fans at the game were able to cross because they were persistent in moving forward even if it was one baby step at a time.  They had their eyes focused on where their destination was "the other side".  They had to maneuver their way through. It was not a straight or easy path, but they persistently, holding hands,  linked arms and staying close to those like minded, made their way eventually to "the other side" with the whole time having their eyes focused.   I could not ignore the message in all that God had downloaded to me as a reminder.   My prayer that night was that the Holy Spirit would engulf us as we face our challenges in trying to "get to the other side", even tighter than the mind blowing impenetrable security that had observed surrounding Brian Kelly on his way into the stadium. Knowing that the Holy Spirit could do just that.  That all attacks would be thwarted, that any fiery arrows would be deterred and extinguished.  

I'm not sure what you are facing today.  Maybe you are simply feeling weary because you are "trying to get to the other side".  I know it is hard, I am walking it too.  Keep your focus on God, and trust that He will get you there. Hold your thoughts captive. It may feel like you are not making progress, but know that with each guided step, you are not alone and you will arrive at His perfect timing.  He is working all things together for our good.  Know that you are surrounded by the best security He has to offer by dwelling the the shelter of the Most High.  Invite and welcome the Holy Spirit to surround you and be your Comforter at all times.  May any challenges you face only be ones from God to help your faith grow and that all others of the enemy are thwarted, including the chatter the enemy often sends. I pray today that you feel the peace of being surrounded by the Holy Spirit and that it penetrates your soul.   For further encouragement, read Luke 8:22-26 as a reminder to STAND on the promises God gives us.  I need this reminder DAILY.