Washing Seashells

At first, I was a little disappointed to have to cancel my plans for the day. I had been collecting things to have an art day/Bible message with some neighborhood kids. But as the time drew near weather reports were only predicting rain. I was forced to give in and cancel.

As it was, most of the week I had been fighting a cold, and by last night and this morning, I was spent. There were many things that would not have been finished. It was hard not to be thankful for the break even if I was disappointed.

Several friends had given items for the kids to use in their creations. One of which was a tub full of shells that my friend Sue had collected off the western coast of Florida.

By noon the sun was still shining, and there wasn’t a drop of rain, so I called to ask what she used to clean them with—Thinking that maybe I could muster up enough energy to still make use of the day. By the end of the call, Sue and I decided that she would come over. We’d have a mini lesson with the kids and neighbors and see what came of it. 

I remembered a friend and Pastor named Terry that would frequently have children bring something to church on Sunday and make a lesson out of it. I always admired his attempt, especially never knowing what the kids would bring each morning. 

I was sure that today, we could do the same. Then I prayed for the words to share.

Sue’s enthusiasm touched me. She insisted that she bring her own things to clean with. She told the kids the name of every shell and little stories about where she found them. The kitten's paw, a treasure chest, olives, whelks, lady slippers, the list went on. She tried to make music out of the worms and ‘swooshed’ the dead sea grass.

Every time she rinsed one off, she would ooh and awe over how much more it sparkled; pointing out the true colors, now revealed, that were hidden beneath the elements.

The love gushed from her as if she’d made them each herself. I was reminded of Isaiah 43:1 

“…I have called you by name, and you are mine.”

The kids crowded around her sorting, lifting, rinsing. –Scurrying to the table to dump one bowl, only to fill it again with new wonder(s).

When the tub was empty; each shell washed, and drying, she packed up her things and headed home.

I attempted a mini Bible lesson, although the kids were too busy, literally--claiming their plunder. Next time I might wait until we’re by the fire to have the story, I thought to myself after.

I talked about the pretty ones, how sometimes, it’s what we all go after. Even on the cover of magazines and who we friend at school. The ones that look perfect and unmarred. Yet every.single.one is made by our Father. –Knit together. By hand.

Each shell once had something living in them just like our bodies still have something living within our shell of skin.

We talked about how some might have housed better filters for the ocean floor. Some were stronger, others were better fighters. –But my favorite is how the broken ones might get cast aside by collectors, but it’s also the broken ones that are used for a purpose (like cutting, piercing, or as other tools).

While the table was full of many that looked similar, each and every shell was unique, just like each person sitting there.

Just as we so eagerly hold each shell and marvel over them. The Lord marvels and loves each of us, no matter how we appear, when we are before Him. Later on, I would find the perfect verse to summarize it.

The kids quickly filled their bags and were well on their way to the next adventure. Painting them.

Then we ate dinner and roasted marshmellows around a fire.

Sitting around it, I couldn’t help but feel like I myself, had been renewed. -Not quite as achy and still congested, sure. But peaceful. Like a good kind of tired. Not from doing or making things perfect with my own hands. But by my accepting what was offered even it wasn’t how I envisioned my plan. -His was better.

It's such a reminder that when we seek to glorify him with our lives, even when our attempts fail, he stands in. Every time that I am willing to accept a variation or a detour, His provision blows my mind. –Like a friend with many treasures.

The verse in Zephaniah 3:17 says it best.

The Lord your God is in your midst;

He is a warrior who can deliver.

He takes great delight in you.

He renews you by his love;

He shouts for joy over you.

Oh Lord, teach us all of your unfathomable ways and to be your grateful recipients and messengers.

The Gift

***

Contemplation #1

2013

I can't say that I am a girl that lives for shopping but I do love it when I have the perfect gift to give. You know what I am talking about- When you know that you have a winner, don't you?

You may or may not watch the sales paper. You search store after store for the exact color, shape, functions, size... When you find it, you are elated. You check the bag six times on the way home, to not only confirm that it is still with you; but you just want to take it out and look at it again, and then again. ... and then again. 

To see it. To touch it. To remind yourself of how awesome it is. There is a satisfaction in having it to give.

What about being a recipient of that gift? When someone else gives you the perfect one, very seldom do we hide it away. It's out so you can admire it and so that others can ask you about it. It's on the top shelf so it won't get broken. Every time you touch it, your reflexes begin wiping it off so that it maintains the luster of new.

As the Christmas Holiday drew closer, my mind just kept thinking about different "gift" analogies... I knew that there was something to write. I couldn't seem to tie them all together. When I prayed about closing it, I was startled when I felt the reply "You don't get it yet."

So, I prayed to get a better understanding. 

***

Contemplation #2

2014

Almost a year later on Thanksgiving I picked up my cousin Suzi. Her son is away at school in California and she was on the phone with him. I couldn't help but overhear part of the conversation.

She was asking Him about emails that she had sent Him earlier in the week. It was kind of funny. I don't really know what He was saying but she had a certain motherly urgency in her tone. I pictured Him on the other end of the phone, rolling his eyes and sighing "Yes mother. I have the emails." "No, I haven't read them." "Yes, I will."

On this side of the call though, I heard something different. The pang of disappointment. I could interpret what her heart was saying underneath... "I have prepared this gift for you."

I asked her about it when she got off the phone. She explained about some deadlines. She did the work to get the information for him. There were several messages of varying sorts but she had spent time putting it all together for him. Something He needed. Something he'd want. Something that would help him. That same undertone surfaced again and all I could hear was "My love spent so much time preparing this thing for Him and He just doesn't receive it."

It struck me that this is the gift that that I was supposed to be writing about. He has prepared something for us and we just don't receive it.

***

Contemplation #3

I once read somewhere that if you're dying of thirst, believing in water won't save your life. You have to drink it for it to help, or change, or save you. In John 4 Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman and says "IF you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." We don't ask for more or even at all because we don't yet know that He is. 

And we don't know yet that we don't know.

Take a drink.

My commentary in my Bible says: "The woman mistakenly believed that if she received the water Jesus offered, she would not have to return to the well each day. She was interested in Jesus' message because she thought it could make her life easier. But if that were the case, people would accept Christ's message for the wrong reasons. Christ did not come to take away challenges but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective." and "Faith is a gift that grows as we use it."

***

And still here it is now 2 years after beginning this post [probably 20 years since being saved] and I think I am just now beginning to get it. We can spend all of Christmas [or Christianity] talking about the importance of receiving Christ; and even doing a good job reminding ourselves to stay focused.

Maybe we believe that there is a God and that the whole message of Jesus is a real and true account. And yet still sometimes we don't even know that we're not applying/allowing (for a lack of a better word) the God given freedom that comes only by letting Him saturate our lives.

The water is the Word of God.

We share the message asking others to believe in Him when we should be pleading instead for others to take the drink. Offering it, serving it, filling our vessels and seeking the thirsty to refresh, until we know that they fully receive it too.

Trust me when I tell you that I am not there yet either.

And before we get into heretics, let me clarify that the Bible says you ONLY have to believe! You don't have to practice rituals or complete checklists to find salvation. (Mark 5:36, John 3:15-16) 

But even the Samaritan woman ran away and HAD TO TELL EVERYONE what Jesus was doing in her life. And because of her testimony, others came to hear for themselves and they too believed.

WHO are you telling?

Why are we ALL not shouting from the rooftops (((I KNOW A REDEEMER WHO LIVES)))?

***

Contemplation #4

Luke 11:33 says "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

Boy that sounds like contemplation #1 now doesn't it?

1 John 1:5-6 – “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 

Yet how many times are we bogged down instead by current circumstances? While we believe in the message, we don't receive the power to keep the light bright amidst that circumstance. We let darkness dim our light. 

If you and I aren't as excited about our faith as the Samaritan woman- If we don't believe that we have something in the gift of Jesus that we are proud of and -needing- to share, elated to give, and holding out for everyone to see-

If we don't have the urgency for others to know what this light is that we have inside-

If you can't find a reason to love [or even invite] everyone that sits [to sit] at your table;

If you do not have hope even when you don't know all of the answers-

If your Christ in the morning isn't the same Christ at the end of the day or if he isn't relative on the other days aside from Sunday-

If you believe that he changes hearts and you stay the same; be it addiction, insecurity, fear or anger, etc.

If you are not certain of your salvation, filled with awe and mystery or moved to fall on your knees when think of Him-

Hear me now, if you are not burning and if others are not warmed when they are near you, comforted by what your light brings to their darkness-

Could it be that even you [and I] do not fully receive what is before us?  

What IT IS that Christ offers? 

Ask yourself, have I left something on the table?

After all, He didn't give us eternal life so that we could spend our earthly lives hopeless.

Now let that settle for a minute…

or a day.

or a lifetime.

However long it takes-

The good news is that just like Jesus told the Samaritan woman, you and I can ask Him for a drink. Better yet, we can ask Him to give us the desire to drink it. The psalmist wrote "like the deer pants for water, O' my soul pants for you." Are you panting? For him alone? Ask him.

***

Contemplation #5

Colossians 2:6 - says “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” 

You must continue because there is always more behind the same message. You can spend your life unfolding the mystery of Christ. Unwrapping new meaning and luster in your spirit.

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

If anything on the list of "what ifs" struck you- Whatever your darkness is friend, whether it be shame or sin; Even if it is only your doubt, resistance or lack of desire; our God and our gift is first- a counselor that will show you the way.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

If we don't fully process who He is in that sentiment, we may never be able to process beyond that to know that He is a MIGHTY God. –Or that we can go to Him first like a Father or that He brings peace. First He must counsel.

His gifts come to each of us in many forms and variations. Each one is specifically and thoughtfully and freely offered to each of us. Already prepared. No matter what we have attained, there is more to grasp again. Continue.

Because is it EXCEEDINGLY MORE than all that we have ever asked for or imagined. - Ephesians 3:20-21

What have you given this season or might you give in the next?

What might you receive?

There is only one perfect gift.

He makes us

and all things

new.

Merry Christmas

and Happy *New* year.

Photo Credit:
Package: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/2015/12/its-the-time-of-year-for-the-spirit-of-giving-.html
Candle: https://pixabay.com/en/candle-light-dark-flame-night-704022/
Nativity: http://365cambridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/nativity.jpg

My Love Is Building A Building....

The Wendy's in Gloucester was remodeled during almost the whole first quarter of this year. It's hard for me to believe it's already old enough to be remodeled. I was part of the first staff when it was originally built almost 20 years ago. The drive-thru was my first "tax paying job" and I loved it.

The construction is finished now but the new work clearly began with demolition. My kids and others even speculated about what might be going there in its place. It was still going to be Wendy's but "new and improved". Cleaner. Prettier. More efficient. We also had more than our regular amounts of snow and rain this year and many days we would drive by to see a halt on progress. It wasn't just a mess but a wet one in the making -remaking.

**

In February, I went on my first women's retreat. We were in Nags Head in a huge house near the beach. Of course houses near the beach have many more windows that allow you to catch the view. Because of this, I couldn't help but notice that we were surrounded by construction. 

Through the kitchen I could see a new house being built. A giant pool waiting in the yard to be planted in the ground. Plumbing materials decorating the yard in preparation for the future pool. New windows still baring stickers of purchase, etc.

Then in the main room where we spent most of our retreat time, the windows overlooked a huge house that had several tarps on it; clearly also in the process of being remodeled. Dumpsters lined our street between the two houses. Old going out, new coming in. -Lumber and materials here, trucks and crews scattered around. I could hear the faint tap, tap, tapping from the busy hammers of the crew.

During a break, I stared out of the windows and watched the construction taking place. A line from a familiar poem "my love is building a building" had been on my mind many times over the last few months. In many ways it came as a reminder to me to just trust that God was doing something, even though I didn't know exactly what it was. Here it floated to the surface again and this time lingered long enough for my curiosity to take the bait.

I imagined walking through the house. Discovering what might be behind those tarps. While it may be a mess now, I knew that there was a vision that was in the process of coming to life. While I already knew the message, the sentiment and picture really begged me to just take hold of it.

**

Last year, particularly the fall, was a good growing season for me too. I couldn't help but find the ironies in the fact that while I was growing, it felt more like demolition or being caught in a long, terrible storm. Many new lessons awaited me. Many great ideas were rejected or turned out flat and putting in twice the work or effort, seemed to result in even more failures than successes. I just could not produce the things that were on my heart, in my prayers or what I thought was being asked of me, no matter how much sweat, tears or sleepless nights were put into it.

Discouragement was at my door regularly ready to greet me and sometimes the unwanted visitor seemed to push himself in. It was a struggle to get him back out and to keep myself together. I felt much like that Wendy's looked... a wet mess in waiting...

But I was learning something new...

How about you? Change is hard and disruptive now isn't it? Even when it's in a good way. Even when God is working. Even when you have the vision of what you're working toward. Even when you have the "blueprints" or "tools" to get there! Having any of those things in place does not guarantee that change is easier. But just like that remodel, even during a storm, our spiritual challenges should be just as exciting to us because God is doing something!

In fact, in our day to day life it's common to see buildings that are left rundown and discarded -abandoned. If we really want to admit it, those buildings are left behind because they are no longer useable or serving a purpose. Thankfully, if we abide in him, he promises to continue on with the good work that he started in each of us until the day that he returns. 

You might not get 'it' now and you might not see what that good work is yet or even feel like he has a plan for you. If you're in a one of those hard storms now, you might even feel like you've been forgotten. But please hear my heart and trust that most especially in that hard season, there is a Master Carpenter with a plan and he is already working. Just as a doctor works protecting layers and a carpenter works covering sections; He too is busy and sees all. He brings physical healing and spiritual restoration (ahem, transformation). 

AND-

You will only be blind to it for a little while. If you persevere and have faith, one day you [or Him or the plan] will be unveiled [often in phases]. And are you ready for this...

1 Corinthians 6:19 says that we are not just buildings beloved- We are temples. Temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? And you are not your own.

I don't know about you but it has taken and will still take a lot of work for God to make me and my building into [what I envision as] a temple. But he still thinks that you and I are worth that effort anyway because HE had that vision (and perhaps an even bigger one) when he started each of us. 

Just like all rebuilding starts by removing the old; He exposes our vulnerability first; the flares of temper, our weakness, our bad attitudes, our dependence on earthly things, self-sufficiency and lack of faith; the things that we don't want others to see or the things that we might not even be aware of...

Sometimes, when your very best is producing your worst; it may just be to draw out the impurities of your heart so that he can scoop them out to replace them with only thing that makes any temple worth it. His spirit. 

REJOICE that he is exposing those things because that is exactly where he wants to go to work. Your awareness of it will help you see how much you need him. It's only once it is out in the light that something can be done with it. 

You're not too bad, too weird or too broken for God. Romans 8 says that IN all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Don't get caught up in the struggle because it's temporary and always changing. Keep your eyes [mouth and thoughts too] on the Master and the vision instead of the struggle and I promise that even in the middle of the chaos; if you're looking for him you will see glimmers of his goodness at work. 

We don't get to decide what God can or can't do. You've been called to more. Be open to- and encouraged in the new direction. For your love is still building a building. 

P.S. The link to that poem has got to be one of the best interpretations of it that I've read. Click on each line to see the interpretation to the right. If you're a lady that fumbles through words and speaks to think and then later often regrets- Or if you're going through a storm and your mouth has produced things contrary to what is in your heart, maybe give it a look over from your masters eyes.

I'd also encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 6 & 2 Corinthians 3.

Romans 8 | Scripture

Life Through the Spirit (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 

Whether it’s that thing we did that one time, or the things that we struggle with daily, we are not to be condemned. -Not by peers, not by ourselves and certainly Jesus will not condemn us. He saves, he guides, he forgives and restores. Are we reaching for him or stuck and held captive by “illegal” condemnation?

² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. 

Our addictions, struggles, or simply our not knowing any other way, will often lead to death. He can show us something different. A new life. It takes a lot of self-control to learn the new way and then to retrain ourselves with new habits.

³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, ^[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. ^[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 

The law could not save us. God sent his son to show that the flesh is sinful and we can’t save ourselves. It was the blood of Jesus that saved us. It is his spirit and his grace that restores us.

⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

After being saved, we must continue to follow Jesus. We must continue to learn about and live by the spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

My commentary says that Paul divides people into two categories- those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use the bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation ask yourself, “What would Jesus want me to do?” When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

When we allow sin in our life, not only is there the matter of the wrong that was done, but often we waste so much energy, worrying over what has happened or hiding it from others. We kill the moment that could and should be used to serve others, by seeking self-justification or reasoning.

When we make time to study the word, it gets in our mind and heart. Prayer invites the spirit to touch our heart and remind us of those scriptures and/or the path. Obedience to the spirit, allows us to continue moving forward. When we know that we’ve done what was right, we do not need to rehearse responses to what has happened or worry over the consequences.

⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 

When you are still trying to control yourself and do what you want to do, you wrestle with God. You’re not with him. You do not want his laws. If you’re not saved, your “flesh” won’t even appreciate the “Godly way” because it’s so different or unnatural to our humanly desires.

⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Seeking and gratifying self does not please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

If the spirit lives in you, he can guide you. If you haven’t given your life to God, you wouldn’t recognize or acknowledge his promptings.

¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. 

Our physical bodies may wither but the spirit brings eternal life to those who follow Christ’s commands.

¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e]his Spirit who lives in you.

His spirit will bring light and give life to knowledge. Making you aware of consequences, needs of others, and new views of right and wrong. Living in that realm, ignites a zest for living and serving others that may not have been previously kindled.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 

Our obligation is to live by the spirit, not self.

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Die to self, daily, again and again. By rejection of selfish desire, further feeds the life of the spirit.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Those who live by the word and by the spirit, and die to self, show that they are children of God. Actions match words. God will also acknowledge them. 

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. ^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba, ^[g] Father.” 

This new relationship with Christ will make you want something different. Something better. Something more meaningful. When you see the significant changes in your life from living by the spirit, you will want to make other changes in your life to extend that relationship. We are not “slaves” or called to serve in misery.  There is a heart change that is a natural stage of the progression of faith.

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

He simply reminds us who we are and who we, as Christians, are called to be.

¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

If we can live by the spirit, instead of self. If we can show this love and let it lead in our lives, then we will reside in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Father.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

No matter what we are faced with now, this is temporary.  Eternity is forever and if we can stay strong and persevere, it will be worth the wait and even better than what we imagined.

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 

The world is simply falling apart and one day the Good Lord, his mercy and his people will prevail. Until then, someone needs to see what Jesus looks like in the life that you and I lead. –Who is it that we are waiting on? What does he look like? How will he save? Who (and why) do you serve?

²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 

My commentary for this and the next two verses states: Christians see the world as it is, physically decaying and spiritually infected. But Christians do not need to be pessimistic, because they have hope for future glory. They look forward to the new heaven and the new earth that God has promised and they wait for God’s new order that will free them from the world of sin, sickness and evil. In the meantime, Christians go with Christ into the world where they heal people’s bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin in the world.

²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

The world that is, will exist no more.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 

Everyone is suffering. When it says creation, I believe that is also referencing animals and plants. Everything already begins dying off the minute that its born. How much more are things altered by man's attempt to control it. We demand 'more' or 'faster' or 'bigger' from everything that we touch. We seldom appreciate the magnificence of  'what' and 'how' things are naturally. Everything has to be changed as if God's way or design was never enough.

While there have been many advances and inventions, there is an ‘ecosystem’ physically and spiritually that is being altered with each change and with each man. There is a cause and an effect. We can serve the cause of Christ or the cause of self; there is an effect but even the earth cries out for life.

²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 

Even with the help of the spirit, how many times have we said, God, please just take us home now…?

²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 

Place confidence in God’s goodness and future plan. Not only hoping for this moment or for triumph in this trial. We should hope for redemption at the finality of it all. Not just for self but for all people.

²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Be encouraged that we can be a part of his message and an extension of his love. Be encouraged that he has a plan for each of us.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

God knows your every struggle and every thought. Call him and do not stop calling. Even when you think you know the way, ask him to keep you in his presence. When you do not have the words, he acknowledges the cries from your heart. It is what you allow your heart to need that reveals what you truly desire.

²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Your heart tells God what you need. The spirit interprets and convinces us, yet petitions God when we cannot.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. 

Even in our most shameful moments, God can bring healing and restoration. He can also bring a glory through that experience whether it is used to educate others or bring about change, or refocus each of us on his path.  Do not let the “one thing” no matter how great or small keep you from pressing on, from finding light, from knowing the redemptive peace of the blood of God.

That does NOT mean that moving forward will be easy or will make us happy through every stage. It is often the hardship that grooms us, the process of continuing through that refines. 

²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

This verse can be confusing. It sounds like God may only give salvation to those he chooses. Other interpretations say that God already knows who will choose him. I have more peace with that second answer. He knows every sin you and I have committed before we even know it. He knows our thoughts and fears and hopes in our most secretive, innermost being. He loves each of us and wants us ALL to come unto him regardless of past or even present and/or future.

He knows (and foreknew those) who will come but for those that do, he wants us to become like him, and to then lead others to him.

³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

He had a plan for each of us as he was making us. The plan did not change when we failed. He still has the plan. You still have the life. He died on the cross to atone for your sin. The best version of yourself and future lies ahead.  GET UP and move forward!

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

You have no right to condemn yourself. He has forgiven you. Others may judge and have a valid reason for convicting or even punishing you. Do not cower down because of it. Stand up. Own your mistakes.  Recognize the need for salvation, repent and move forward. God will bring you through this.

³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Why would he let his own son die on a cross to save you from your sins, if he too was just going to shame you in the end?  Salvation was for me and YOU. The book of Romans is a letter to you about how much he wants you with him and how he can help you get up and he can help you continue through this life in ALL THINGS.

³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 

Again, you might have your opinions and others might as well. God called you and he will make your paths straight.

³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

He dies for your sins but was raised to vindicate. Cling to salvation and the hope we have in Christ. Rely on the spirit that will show us the way.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

No one is greater than God. Do not submit to any other God. Not the power of oppressors, the shame of man, the myths of the world or the things that have been.

³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

There will always be someone against us. (Even our self). There will always be persecution and opportunity for others to tell us that we are wrong and not savable. Every day it will come in different forms.

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

More than conquerors THROUGH him. You will not conquer this life or yourself or your enemy without him.

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, ^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

It doesn't matter how strong the oppression seems or is-

³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Or how far it seems we have to go, there is nothing too big or too bad or too strong that will keep you from the love of God. Nothing will separate you from his love, his direction or the life that he wants to give you. And nothing can hold you back but you.