There are lots of things that hindered and are hindering me from seeking total refuge in Christ. For one, I am continually being broken of my belief in the security of money. I left home at 18. So, I have basically been responsible for myself for about 16 years. I had to teach myself to pay bills. When I lived on my own I was totally responsible for maintaining my home, my health, my car. My parents did assist me, but still it all rested on my shoulders. So, it was hard going from an independent woman to a woman dependent on God and my husband. I have had to learn to trust. Even as God has been more than faithful, I still have my freak out moments. I am hoping that one day I will be a testimony to someone else that a woman can submit to God and her husband without losing herself in the process. A lot of the false impartations of my childhood had to be and are still being reprogrammed. I am discovering that instead of losing myself, I am gaining a new identity in Christ.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

There are definitely some things that have hindered and are still hindering me from seeking total refuge in Christ, and I've been continually praying and asking God to reveal those things that I need to change. As recent as a few months ago, He revealed some people in my life that were stumbling blocks and, though it wasn't easy, I removed myself from that element. Since doing that I've seen a significant increase in the amount of time that I spend with the Father. Yet and still there are other things that I use to escape the "hustles and bustles" of life when I feel the need to get away. However, I realize that it's in those times that I should allow Jesus to be my "escape" instead of turning to the temporal pleasures of this world. I'll continue to pray that God strengthens all of us concerning intimacy and refuge in Him.
--Stephanie

Well I can definitely say that there are some things and are still things that hinder me from seeking total refuge in Christ. Although I know what those things are it's as if I can't turn away from them or should I say turn them over to God. Not long ago I went through what I considered to be a major trial in my life. Going through this particular ordeal made me surrender everything to Christ. I truly sought refuge in Him. I began my day with a devotional, studied His word (my daily bread), and then I asked for guidance in what he wanted me to do that day. I began to understand what people mint by “having an intimate relationship with God”. My focus was no longer how bad my situation was or how big the problem. My focus became, what can I do today so that God can get
the glory and His name be glorified. I’m not saying that when things become too hard for us to handle that’s the only time we should surrender our situations and ourselves to Christ, but that’s when it’s most convenient for most of us. As I'm reflecting on this time, I'm reminded of the hindrances that I face today and how easy it is to seek refuge in worldly things that make me feel good for a while, but I believe that once I start imitating God and bearing fruit of the spirit it won’t be so easy to seek refuge in things outside of
Him.

--Amira

I have long suffered from the “give God the things you can’t handle” syndrome. As Aundrea alluded to, I too am accustomed to having the load on my shoulders and taking full responsibility for anything that goes wrong in my life. To some degree it’s in a male’s genetic makeup to feel that way, but more than that, it’s how I was raised and the way I saw my father run his home. Although I acknowledge wholeheartedly that none of my perceived success or accomplishments were (are) possible with out Christ, I am also aware that success in the worlds eyes does me no heavenly good. How then shall I live? “Seek ye first the kingdom…” is the scripture that readily comes to mind, however I can honestly say that I’m not there yet. I seek refuge in the Lord at some point on a daily basis, but it seems that I can’t stay there long enough before the world comes calling again. Responsibilities, deadlines, and minor emergencies are among life’s undulating terrain, but let’s not forget self indulgence, entertainment and haughtiness. Self-inflicted or not, these body shots can sometimes steer us to the “most convenient at the time path” and conversely away from the kingdom of heaven. Is it even possible for one not to be conformed to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2) in some manner? I have to believe that it is because Jesus led that life and it is written that through Him I can do all things. The life of sacrifice as we are called to live is not an easy one. To surrender all requires help from on high and prayer without ceasing from down low. That sounds really good to say….but when life comes a calling, how then shall I live?
--Rev.

In Psalm 31:1 David says, "In you, oh Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; in your righteousness deliver me." I believe that the things that kept David from being in the refuge of God were the things he was ashamed of. David's prayer in essence was to remain in God and be far removed from the shame of being outside of His covering. Being in Christ is in God's will and in God's love. I pray that the world would come to obtain citizenship in the greatest city of refuge -- the kingdom of God.
--Pastor Baker
<mailto:pastorbaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>