Good morning, from the mountains of Kentucky. It’s a beautiful day in the mountains. The sun is shining, birds are chirping and singing, and I can feel the buzzing and abundance of life all around me. Nature inspires me, as I know who created all manners of life. As I sat down this morning to grade students’ work, I felt the still small voice of the Holy Spirit whisper a simple message to me; come walk with Me. I thought about that simple statement. Come, walk with me. After a few minutes of pondering, the Lord reminded me of the many times that He has spoken about paths that we, or that I, should follow. I am reminded that to walk the path that He lays before us, we must walk with Him. We must take up our cross and agree to take up His yoke and follow Him. To follow Him, we must walk with Him.

As I face surgery next week to have my right hip replaced, the enemy tried to instill fear within me. Fear of being put to sleep, fear of being in an operating room vulnerable to the knowledge, skill, and wisdom of the surgeon, nurses, and assistants. The scariest thought of all was the knowledge of what weight and responsibility the anesthesiologist was going to be responsible for. He would be responsible for my breathing, or so the enemy said. For a moment, a bit of panic gripped my thoughts. But then a clear vision came forth. I am never alone and will not be alone in the operating room. God will guide each person involved in the surgery. He will be there with me, just as He has throughout this journey. He reminded me, He holds my very breath, not the anesthesiologist.

So, for now, the fear that the enemy tried to fill my mind with… has dissipated as I advance and walk with the Lord, who knows me more intimately than I know myself. He is the way and the way maker. He lays the path that we are to walk, but we have to get up, dust ourselves off, believe in what we can’t physically see, and walk with Him. I want to encourage you. If you are facing what feels like a mountain, or a giant. If a situation seems impossible, know that with Christ, all things are possible. Remember, it is the enemy, the oppressor, who tries to make burdens and trials seem impossible and who desires to fill you with fear. But remember that fear is not of the Lord, just as worry is not of Him. We must trust in the Lord, and give our fears, burdens, weight, and the mountain that stands before us to Him. We must trust and walk with Him. He is our life support, our breath, and our all.

I hope this short post has encouraged you. I feel encouraged this morning by what felt like the weight of the world to me only days ago. That which loomed before me now seems insignificant and an opportunity to tell others about Him. God is my refuge and my very present help in the time of trouble. He promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. We must lay it down and follow Him. I encourage you to find a quiet place to abide in Him, talk to Him, and, most of all, listen to Him. Will you join me? Come, let’s walk with Him.

God bless, from the mountains of Kentucky. As always, I welcome your comments and questions.