You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
REFLECT
How has the Lord been re-filling you in this Summer of Soul Care?
Maybe at the beginning of the summer you felt depleted of patience, or like you’ve run out of joy, and slowly but surely the Lord, in His great faithfulness, has been pouring His joy into Your heart and growing Your patience.
What a gift and a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness, that we get to walk in the fullness of His promises, and as the 2025 theme verse said, “abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!”
What happens as we press forward in soul care and look ahead, and see a season of changes and challenges on the horizon?
When I know that a big change is ahead, I feel as if I am about to undertake a daunting hike. I imagine standing at the foot of a mountain, looking up to the summit where I am headed, and saying to God, “Is this really where I am supposed to be going? Lord, the way is steep, there are lots of sharp rocks, and I think I see a place where the trail disappears into a thicket of thorn bushes!”
Then the Spirit prompts my prayers, and I pray Scripture back to God, from Psalm 143:8, “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.” (emphasis added.)
In soul care, the Lord re-fills and restores us. But the process doesn’t stop there. We are refilled, and in the filling, we are prepared and predetermined to face the next season with our faith and hope secure in Christ.
ust like a hike, on my journey into new seasons I will need to keep a steady pace, but still ‘sabbath’ along the way, prayerfully finding a cleft in the rock to be refueled and refilled – like finding somewhere to sit down and eat a granola bar and take a few sips of water. I can pause and look ahead to assess the path, determining how I might approach any troublesome spots.
As I prepare to step into the new and the unknown, the Lord is preparing and equipping me, filling my ‘spiritual backpack’ with everything He knows that I will need:
- God has given me perseverance like a granola bar; something that will be my fuel to keep going.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 NIV
- God has given me the Holy Spirit like a canteen of living water, sustaining me even in the weakness of my flesh.
“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 ESV
- God has given me His Word like a compass, something to keep me going in the right direction.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 ESV
- God has given me a new mindset like a good pair of hiking boots, something to carry me through rough terrain and uncertain footing.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
We can look ahead to the future without fear because God, in His goodness, love, and mercy, provides for our needs and equips each of us for the good works He has prepared!
Will you please join me in prayer?
Lord, You are my Provider and Protector, the one who knows the Way when I can’t see the next step in front of me. Help me to look to the future abounding in Hope, and never trembling in fear and worry. I cling to the truths of Scripture and build my plans and life on Your perfect promises to give me hope that doesn’t disappoint, a light for my path, and a renewed mind. You have lavished me with abundant gifts, give me eyes to see and treasure the many blessings that You have given me. Each gift from You is full of purpose and preparation as I seek to walk in paths of sanctification and righteousness to grow in Christlikeness. No matter what trials I have been through or what challenges lie ahead, I know that You are with me and Your promises will never fail! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Peace and blessings,
Amy Parks
Communications Director | NDP Task Force
