Acceptance with JOY
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our Faith, who for Joy set before HIM, endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. Hebrews 12: 2 Berean Study Bible
Hannah Hernard’s book, “Hinds Feet on High Places”, invites us in allegory form to become familiar with the High Places. We follow the Shepherd because we are HIS flock, HE calls us by name and we know HIS voice and another we will not follow.
The main character “Much Afraid” is being forced to marry a member of her family and she has run to the Shepherd and she is following HIM. On her journey to the precipice, she encounters a small flower that has found the ability to live in what looks like an impossible place. Much Afraid is introduced to her first key of the Kingdom Acceptance with JOY.
Much Afraid is also assigned two traveling companions, veiled of face with the names of “Suffering” and “Sorrow”. It takes Much Afraid several chapters to Accept with Joy, her two companions.
My personal journey with “Suffering and Sorrow” comes after the suicide death of my son Terry Shannon Sexton in 2014. In the following nine years, Acceptance with JOY becomes a reality while walking with companions Sorrow and Suffering. This journey to the High Places brings with it the opportunity to Accept the death of Shannon’s twin brother, Troy Shane Sexton in 2023. During the battle, my own body responded under PTSD and I began fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer that had metastasized into the lymph system. As I write this paragraph, surviving and thriving has been made possible by the Grace, Mercy, and Divine Favor of Jesus Christ my Shepherd that has brought me to the High Places.
Being clear and confident while humbled and somewhat healed, I step into wholeness of heart through various avenues. The beauty of my story is that it’s going to continue to evolve as I “Bounce Back into Sacred Ecstasy”. I invite you to join the journey to the High Places, where you can receive a new name and identity, such as Much Afraid becoming Grace and Glory. However, be aware of the life lessons along the way.
