This Journey is my own

Ok, so the title for my blog is inspired by the lyrics of a Sara Groves song by the same name.  

The lyrics pretty much sum up the fact that so much of our lives are lived trying to figure out what other people think of us and then acting in a way that we think will make us more acceptable.  

That's kind of crazy don't you think.  I mean it looks pretty dumb on paper but try to stop yourself from thinking that next time you are in one of those situations where you value the approval of another person.  Or heaven forbid you should think like that about your relationship with the Father. (tsk tsk)

"I don't do that"  I hear you say...

Well you may be further along on the journey than the next bloke, so i'll celebrate that with you,  and your journey is your own too, right?

Well I for one don't want to live like that and I have to admit that for a lot of my life I did.  But having my eyes opened to that has helped turn a corner on my journey.  

The key for me has been connecting with my heavenly Father in a more intimate and relational way and just drawing near to Him.  Listening to His voice and seeking Him first.  Hey I'm no expert at this but it's a journey, right?

It's so easy to look to others for direction, affirmation, approval, value, acceptance, belonging etc but I have to say that I'm realising that the Father wants me first, because He loves me, because He moved heaven to earth for me.  It will be out of that relationship that all the encounters and experiences in my life will gain meaning and purpose and out of that relationship I will find direction, affirmation, approval, value, acceptance and belonging.

So here's the lyrics of the song, and so begins my foray into the "stayed up late last night updating my blog" world.  

I hope I can share your journey with you too.

When I stand before the Lord, I'll be standing alone. This journey is my own. 

Still I want man's advice, and I need man's approval, but this journey is my own. . 

Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price? 

What would it mean to gain the world, only to lose my life? . 

So much of what I do is to make a good impression. This journey is my own. 

So much of what I say is to make myself look better. This journey is my own. . 

I have never felt relief like I feel it right now. This journey is my own. 

'Cause trying to please the world it was breaking me down, it was breaking me down. . 

Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, now I live and I breath for an audience of one. 

Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, 'cause I know this journey is my own. 

You can live for someone else, and it will only bring you pain. 

I can't even judge myself. Only the Lord can say, "Well done."