Disclaimer & The Freedom of a Child
People sometimes say to me that it seems like I have it all together and that it seems I am close to God. Let me assure you that I have nothing together, have struggled with the best of 'em, and am among the weakest of beings. I have suffered much, mostly by my own doing. My heart has been broken beyond what I thought repairable. Yet in His mercy God has whittled me down until I have finally found that place of freedom knowing how truly He is everything, how truly His strength takes over in my weakness. He completes me. This is my source and my joy.
Jesus is close to me, not the other way around. It's all been His initiative, I just respond as my eyes are opened to see Him when He comes to me in every season and circumstance. By great grace I have begun to learn the freedom of a child of God, and that from that place I can receive all things. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the whole world, yours included, and He will stop at nothing to have all your heart and call you His beloved child (and have you respond!). He is calling you into this freedom, will you dare to believe it?
If it was for the joy of you He went to the cross, then in His power, joy can be found in all things. This is the resurrection life.