Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.
Psalm 130:1-2

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In this message Pastor Mark Kelsey reminds us that following Jesus means walking a journey upward, not just surviving life's ups and downs. Jesus experienced the full spectrum of human emotion: joy, sorrow, betrayal and suffering yet He never lost sight of the Father's will.  This message challenges us to become a non-anxious presence in an anxious world by anchoring our identity in Christ and surrendering daily to the Father. 

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Jesus Himself Experienced the Highs & Lows of Life

• Jesus went through the highs and lows of life, yet he was always on the journey of ascension to the cross and to the Father
• When entering Jerusalem, the people hailed him as King and cried out “Hosanna” to welcome him into the city, but only days later, he experienced “sorrow to the point of death” in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’” Mark 14:33–34
• Jesus wasn’t stoic in the face of suffering and death; he didn’t give a motivational speech but rather walked through the valley.
• Divine love does not withdraw from suffering.

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Jesus Models How to Navigate the Journey

• “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.” John 13:3-4
• Because Jesus knew his identity, he could be the same under pressure and praise. 
• Our value, identity and acceptance must all be found in God.
• “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.” Mark 14:35
• In the Garden, Jesus submitted to God’s will, even though he didn’t desire to, and he returned to prayer, to surrender, three different times. It wasn’t a simple, single try.
• Surrendering to God is not the same as succumbing to circumstances.

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Jesus Walks With Us on Our Ascent

• "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:7-8
• There’s no where you can be outside of God’s presence, no low too low for him.
• Jesus walks with us on our journey to ascend. The intimate sense of God’s presence is with you.
• Jesus is with us every step of our journey, through all the highs and lows of life.
• “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
• How quickly do we turn to anxiety and worry? We need to redirect our attention to Jesus, who is always with us.

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