I have been on a journey. A journey of slowness, a journey of transition, a journey that has valleys, a journey that has mountains, a journey with a raging ocean, a journey with smooth waters. I have been on a journey. A journey of peace, a journey of patience, a journey not just about myself – a journey of reflection.

A journey does not just define one aspect or part of your life. Rather, it encompasses your life in its fullness.

Lord, reconcile my heart to yours. Seal my heart to yours.

Reconciliation in our world is seen as placing a band-aid on social injustices, on recreating a bridge that was never created in the first place. It makes looking at the Bible’s idea of reconciliation quite challenging because we see it as a quick and temporary fix. However, God sees reconciliation as an entrance into an eternal covenant with us.

In Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth, he challenges the church members to leave behind the world’s perspective of Christians and of Jesus Christ. He challenges them to be in the world and not of the world, and to see reconciliation as a fixed and permanent relationship with God, our Father. They are then called to Christ-established ambassadorship. Gosh, can you imagine that calling? I hope you can, because it is yours.

We are called to step out on a journey to proclaim this message of reconciliation. This sense of reconciliation is God wanting to repave the bridge that was once built between Him and his children, his beloved creation. He wants our hearts, he wants our hurts, he wants our joys, he wants our tears. Begin to wrap your heart and mind around this:

God wants you right here, right now, even in all the mess.

What is keeping you from knowing God to the fullest?

Maybe it is the drug addiction, maybe it is the people you surround yourself with. Maybe it is the boy that you know is not the best to be around, but you still want a relationship. Maybe it is hurt from familial relationships. Maybe it is not feeling perfect enough. Maybe you feel as though you have not accomplished enough to be with God. Maybe it is the recent mental health diagnosis you do not know how to handle.

Know this, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. There is salvation. There is reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “See, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.”

Today, right now, this very second, you can say yes to God and allow Him to meet you where you are. He is waiting.

Here are a few challenges if you are scared to meet God where you are:

Journal why you feel unworthy. Write it down and get it out. Maybe you need to speak with a close friend or a family member–do it. Be bold in calling out your fears.

Walk it out. Get in nature. Learn to be outside again in a world where we have come to worship isolation.

Create. Do not be scared to try something new and fail. Like the TikTok says ‘sucking at something is the first step at being sort of good at it.’

Next, read 2 Corinthians 2:5-6. Circle or underline how God renews you. Highlight ways you see him loving His creation.

Pay attention to verses 17-18. Meditate on the fact that you are forgiven. You are seen. You are loved. You are made new in Christ.

You are worth it. Don’t hide behind your fears and your shame. Step out and take a hold of the reconciliation God is extending.

Read my prayer from May 2019 when I was going through 2 Corinthians:

God, I’ve been avoiding you, perhaps yes. I have because I feel like I can’t get through things. I feel alone. I feel tired, so I avoid being still with you. Please forgive me. Please lead me to let go easier, to be quiet, to be strong. Lead me deeper into a relationship with you. I am turning to you.

Know this: He wants you, all of you.