Look How far you Have Come!

God is in the business of restoration! Just read the book of Nehemiah and see how some ordinary people got together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. One day I was praying and asking when things were going to change, when would I be better? Complaining as you do! We were reading the book of Nehemiah at church. God was in the process of partnering with me to change my life but I had never stopped to look at just how far I had come. He took me to Nehemiah 4. The wall is half-built and there is clear evidence of the work being carried out. The people are discouraged because of the negativity of the opposition and are ready to give up. I heard the voice of God say ‘Look how far you have come! There is clear evidence of what we are doing in your life. Stand on the wall and look.’ Well, I did and I was amazed. God is good. But where did I come from that needed such a dramatic and drastic rebuild?

Have you ever felt that every door, every opportunity for hope and life, has been closed on you? You have faith, you trust in God, but you’ve come as far as you are able? Too sick, too poor, too low in spirits that there’s nowhere else to go, and climbing up to hope and life is just too hard? You want and need things to change but you’ve no idea where to start? I’ve been there. Even King David felt this: ‘Lord, I cry out to you out of the depth of my despair! Hear my voice, O God! Answer this prayer and hear my plea for mercy’.

God Redeems the Lost and the Broken

In 2013 I was diagnosed with a long term degenerative condition that, according to the literature, would gradually steal my mobility, my dignity and my quality of life. I was diagnosed while being in acute pain. In the middle of the situation, in the emergency, my faith soared. However, it was the gradual walking out of the recovery that eroded my hope and my life. Steroids increased my appetite and I found I was eating more sugary and starchy foods. My weight ballooned. By 2017 I was almost in size 26 clothing. I was embarrassed and ashamed. My mobility had reduced, both because of the condition and because of my eating habits. I felt the doors of life and hope had been closed.

I am a mother to 3 amazing children, I have a Masters’ Degree and in 2008, with my family, I left my home in Glasgow, Scotland to move to England. I had just finished my Masters’ Degree at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and had secured my dream job. I was a fully qualified, employed Librarian.

As you can imagine, the condition I had, impacted greatly on my job. In 2015 I had to medically retire and felt like I would never work again. My health seemed to be on a downward spiral and the medical profession could monitor me and help me with medication, but they could never make me ‘better’.

I had reached the end of myself. I did not see a way out. I shut myself off from people and stopped attending church. Life was too much effort. Until the only answer was to cry out to God. God redeems the lost and the broken. He breathes life into what is dead. He takes what is hopeless and brings hope. I opened myself up to the Lord again. I asked Him to help me as I could not help myself. Like the Hebrew people in Nehemiah, I partnered with the Lord to dig out the foundations of what had gone before and rebuild my life again. I did not do it alone.

He is an amazing God and a wonderful Father. He knows what we need before we even know it ourselves. I can truly say, as Psalm 40:2 puts it (NIV), He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock…

Life and Hope in Jesus Christ

God has sent amazing people to help along the way, to show me the right path and gently lead me back to it. He is redeeming the lost skills and abilities I thought were dead and gone, including writing. I have learned that God doesn’t restore just one part of a life. He restores every part. Nothing you have learned, nothing you have experienced, goes to ‘waste’. He is an amazing God and a wonderful Father. He knows what we need before we even know it ourselves. I can truly say, as Psalm 40:2 puts it (NIV), He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

So the next time you feel like there is no hope stand back and look at all the things God has done in your life, and all the areas of achievement you have made. Know God is not finished with you and He will redeem every area of your life. There is life and hope in you.