Now, where'd I put my confidence...?

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:19-22

I've got to be honest: last week I was feeling quite blahh.

Maybe it's just that "January feeling" but my year wasn't getting off to a great start, at least mentally. I found it hard to find my focus, direction, and inspiration. It was an unsettling feeling, especially with everyone kicking off their "new year, new me!" goals.

That said, I think my 3-day weekend truly gave me the boost that I needed:

On Saturday, we held a group session for our youth mentor program at my church. It's always fun to get the girls together to inspire and encourage them. For that session, we explored what a job is versus a career. It felt great to share with them about my experience at my first job (a server at Steak 'n Shake) and my passion behind my current career (Foster Parent Recruiter).

That same day, I finally got to take my baby sis "Lana Bug" to Urban Air Adventure Park. She's been raving about Urban Air for months and I could definitely see why. The place isn't just a regular old trampoline park - it's literally an indoor amusement park!

Even though I'm 32 and she's 9, Alana still sees me as her playmate and knows how to bring out my inner kid. She had me go on nearly every attraction - jumping on trampolines, driving go karts, rock climbing, even zip lining! It turned out to be just the "kid break" that my heart needed.

On the flip side, Sunday was a pretty quiet day in with my husband. While in the house, I decided to finally make some homemade hibachi (it was supposed to be one of my "snow meals" last week!). It turned out pretty tasty and I finally found a good recipe for white sauce - not that nasty "yum yum" sauce they sell in stores!

Monday was MLK Day. I arranged a community service project for our youth mentor program, but only my mentee and I were able to make it. It was still great to have the one-on-one time to bond with her and also teach her the importance of serving our community - the clothes that we hung and sorted that day will all go to babies and toddlers who've entered the foster care system.

Whether it was the adrenaline rush, time with my loved ones, eating good food, or serving our community, I started this work week feeling full! I had my confidence back.

Speaking of confidence...can I talk to you about something for a sec?

How is your confidence in your prayer life?

I'm gonna be honest with you: there are definitely moments when my confidence slips. Not necessarily in who God is - I know how wonderful that He is and I believe that nothing is impossible for Him - but sometimes I feel like, who am I to go to God?

Whether it's a voice trying to tell me that I've messed up too bad... or don't know enough...or that He's not going to listen me...

Am I the only one...or does that sound familiar to you as well?

Yesterday evening, God sat me down and lead me to Hebrews 10. In this chapter, specifically verses 19-21, it reveals 3 reasons why we can always have confidence when we go to God in prayer (Spoiler: none of them have to do with you!) -

1. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..."

   
   

   For years, people offered God various sacrifices, as according to the Law - the blood of bulls and goats. None of it was actually what God desired. His true desire was that people do His will and not sin...but, unfortunately, every human had fallen short.

   
   

   Until... Christ came and perfectly did the will of God and He came to sacrifice Himself, so that we could be made righteous through faith in Him.

   
   

   Sacrifices, previously, did not actually cleanse people of their sins - they were just yearly reminders of their sins. Jesus came as the one perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through His blood, our sins are finally washed away!

   
   

2. "...by a living and new way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body..."

   
   

   Isaiah 53:5 says "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities." Jesus took on the weight of the punishment for our sins that we rightfully deserved. He defeated death once and for all and He was raised to life. Through faith, He lives in us as we believe in Him. Because we are finally in right standing with God, we're able to approach Him in full assurance and confidence.

   
   

3. "...and since we have a great priest over the house of God..."

The role of a priest is to intercede to God on others' behalf. This part of the verse tells us that we

now have a great priest - the greatest priest - Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The One who loves you the most.

The One who justified you.

The One who ultimately wants to see you win this life's race.

Yeah...Him.

He's at the right hand of the throne of God. When we are surrendered to God and earnestly seek

Him, He promises that we ask for, He will do it. So, guess what: you've got a Friend in heavenly

places!

So, yeah.

Next time you're feeling unsure, pick up Hebrews 10 and go to the Lord in full confidence. He's waiting to hear from you (and to speak to you!).