True soldiers are willing to camouflage themselves in dirt to prepare for war.

We are in a war of wills; waging war not as the world does, but we are engaged in a spiritual war that quests for the eternity of the human soul and the emotional health and stability of the human heart. God is searching after and  grooming a Bride that is not afraid to get dirty for Him. We cannot reason with our flesh, we can only die to it.

"For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:37-38

You are not your own. You have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). As such, we are called to honor God with our bodies. God is with you. He is with me. He is with us all if we agree to abide (John 15). He will honor every promise made in His Glorious Word. He promises to repay you for all of the years the locust has eaten (Joel 2:25). What does this mean?

It means He knows what you have been through and he sees every tear. He keeps account of your heart ache and struggles and like a loving companion promises to make it better and to bless you for all you have endured. God allows us to go through extreme wilderness experiences to grow us, change us, refine us. The greater the call the more extreme the preparation. Ultimately, you belong to God and he knows what he is doing. So, he must always lay a trust foundation before he "builds a house" or executes his plan.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5

My God is a God who's love supercedes all circumstance. He can eradicate and annihilate any poison or destruction in our path. He rejoices over you and he rejoices over me. Therefore, with a resounding shout of glee, let us press on, earnestly, to the markers on the path before thee. God is with you. Allow your soul to cry out,

HE IS WITH ME!  

I carry his favor like a Banner.

The Banner over me is LOVE.

I am set apart for a golden purpose~Divine and Splendid, indeed.

Wrap your arms around me, Oh, Lord. Wrap your arms around me!

I will not travail.

For you alone are God and like you there is none other.

I place my Hope in You.

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:35.36

It's that joyous feeling when you know Peace in your heart and it whispers within you empathetically, "Everything is going to be alright."

Chase after God and you will see that He is there to be found quickly. For all these days you have lived in despair, wondering why he left you there, you will realize He has been with you all the while...chasing after you. Do not despair. He is with you. What was once thought to be for harm has turned to good. He is preparing you for the great that is inside you to become out like a bloom in open air releasing a fragrance so sweet it is like that of the orange blossom.

An orange blossom is a rare treat for it is one of the only flowers that blooms plentifully and simultaneously with the fruit of the orange tree. Most flowers come first then the fruit, but not the orange blossom. In most all civilizations the orange blossom represents purity, chastity, and innocence...just how our hearts need to be.

As for me, I continue on, as one whose heart has cried out, "here am I, Lord, send me." (Isaiah 6:8 paraphrase, Whom shall I send? Who will go for me? To the ends of the earth, who will rise up for their KIng? Here am I, send me.)

~Nicole