Ever Afterনমুনা

Walk This Way When a fairy tale ends and the couple rides off into their happily ever after, a new story actually begins. There’s more after happily ever after. Once the couple rides off into the sunset, the real work begins. Happily ever after is made up of a million little decisions to love, serve, and honor. And the same is true in your walk with Jesus. If you recently encountered Jesus for the first time (or maybe the first time in a long time), your journey with Him is just getting started. When God’s people entered the Promised Land after crossing the Jordan River, their journey was just beginning. And like we’ve learned through this devotional, their story was filled with wins and losses. Their happily ever after was marked by God’s faithfulness through the highs and lows, and so it will be for you. Just before Joshua died, he left God’s people with some words of wisdom. He said, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways , keep His commands, remain faithful to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.” God has a plan for your life. He created you with a purpose in mind, and He wants you to walk in His ways. Walking in His ways will require taking a step in faith. You will eventually have to take a risk and move forward when you can’t see the entire path, but don’t wait until you’re older or it’s more convenient to follow God’s lead. When you wait to obey, you forfeit blessings. Situations will come into your life that are outside of your control, but you can choose to remain faithful and serve in the soil where you’ve been planted. You can choose to lift your hands in worship even when you don’t understand what God’s doing. You don’t always need a band to lead you in worship — you can be your own worship leader as you go through your week. If you’re going to walk in God’s ways, you need the right people to walk with you. Don’t ignore the wisdom that your parents and eGroup leaders share with you. Be willing to learn so your walk won’t be hindered. God doesn’t want you to get off track and trip through life, because there are opportunities waiting that were created with you in mind — just like God had land for Joshua and His people to possess. Seek out friendships that will lead you into a deeper relationship with Jesus. And when you find yourself in a chapter that doesn’t seem like it belongs in your happily ever after and you feel paralyzed by fear or grief, remember that you’ll never walk alone. Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving; even if you aren’t totally sure where you’re going, you know Who is by your side. And ultimately, isn’t that what makes any happily ever after so good?