"God is always GOOD and we are always loved " - Marit de Jong

We're a couple months removed from our trip to Spain this Summer, and we're still reflecting on the new friendships that were started. We always leave these trips wishing we had more time. A week never seems quite long enough.  There are always a special handful of individuals that seem to leave a imprint on your heart that will last a lifetime. It's these people that end up teaching us more than we could have ever imparted on them.  We'd like to introduce to Dutch friend Marit, one of those special people and a recipient of a GFG guitar this Summer. Marit shared in her own very honest words below of her ongoing worship journey. 

Marit de Jong (center) Getting Lessons From Jason Barrows (right).  Pictured with her Moniker Rival Series Guitar.

"I love the fact that God is molding us into the image of Jesus and I believe that as we worship Him, He's transforming us into that image. We can work our hardest to be the best person we can be, but as God has promised: I will transform you into that image. Just keep company with me and enjoy every minute of it.

Over the past two years God is taken me through a difficult process where He is changing my foundation of rejection into a foundation of being so incredibly loved by Him. The process of God changing my foundation has made me learn that no person or thing can ever satisfy me or make me feel whole. Only He can restore and satisfy me, because I was made to be with Him in the first place. And as I keep company with Him in worship, God is working on the inside and changing that foundation. He's teaching me so much about how He sees me. It’s a process of becoming more real.

To be honest: this process takes a lotttt of time and - I don't always like it. Some days are hard and painful - and of course there are times when I fall back and let negative thoughts of rejection rule. But I know the One who is leading my process and building my character through it. He's telling me over and over again that He loves me, that He will bring me from glory to glory, and that He will make all things work together for my good. That's why I can rejoice in the midst of this, because I know that He is with me and the outcome will be good.

Worship is the place where I can be with Him and is the place where my soul comes home. It is the place where I am transported from the natural world into the spiritual world - where I can encounter the love of God and meet Him at a deeper level of intimacy. That’s where my soul finds rest. Worship is not about singing songs, it’s about connecting my heart with His. Through this - He restores and refreshes my soul. In this place - He builds me up, strengthens me and gives me the energy and joy to step back into the natural world - to live and enjoy my life. Meanwhile, He's building my character and transforming me into the person He created me to be.

I often have to remind myself that no matter what comes in life, God is always good and I am always loved. It doesn't matter how I feel or what I think, this is the truth. Truth rules above all and is meant to lead us, guide us, and give us hope. We are called to set our minds on things above - and when things below try to get us down, this truth will transform us - if we let it. God doesn't know how to be anything but good. He is always good, and we are always loved. I need to believe that He is on my side, that He loves me, that He is for me, and that He will never let me down. I need to trust Him, because He knows what is better for me than I do. All I need to do - is to be with Him and to make sure that my soul is where it belongs; close to Him.

Guitars for Glory, words cannot describe how grateful I am for this incredible gift. Thank you so much for investing in my life and the lives of so many people around the globe. Thank you for connecting our hearts to Jesus and bringing us to a deeper level of intimacy with Him. Your teachings about worship were incredibly powerful, but more than that, being able to worship and experience the love of the Father as a unity was beyond measure.

Thank you guys for being such an example, not only through what you do, but through setting an example of selflessness, humility, and closeness to the Father. I will keep praying for all of you, that He will give each one of you new revelations of who He is and of the love He has for each of you guys individually."

On the very last day of in Spain, our team was able to hand out guitars. Marit was an obvious choice for a recipient. We love you, Marit.  Thank you for sharing your heart with us this Summer.  Thank you for teaching us what it means to be faithful despite our feelings. 

We say this over and over again, but moments like these are not possible without the support of the people and companies that pour into our ministry.  Prior to leaving for this years trip, we were struggling with finding electric guitars to bring with us, that is when Moniker Guitars out of Texas stepped up and sent us two of their new Rival Series guitars.  Moniker, thank you for your hearts to enrich the lives of others like Marit.  

For more information on Moniker Guitars, visit: https://shop.monikerguitars.com/rival-series/