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For All Who Wander with Robin Dance

On this week’s podcast, I talk about my wandering times with my friend Robin Dance author of the book For All Who Wander.

I think most followers of Christ have chapters in their life stories that they might label as “the wandering years.” For me, it was high school. Once boys started giving me the attention I craved, I took my mind off of God. It’s not like I no longer believed in Jesus. I just didn’t want to think about Him. I knew I wasn’t living as I should, and honestly, I just wanted to do my own thing.

Even after I dedicated my life to Jesus at age seventeen, I didn’t want to think about those dark years. I wanted to forget them. I wanted to leave them behind.

I was so ashamed. But one day during my prayer time I did “go back there.” I thought about some of my worst decision, and God’s Spirit inside me urged me to picture Jesus there.

When I did, I was surprised. Instead of anger, I pictured sadness on Jesus’s face. I pictured Him weeping because He loved me so much, yet I refused to turn to Him.

Jesus had been present every moment of my wandering years, and He’d been sad about my choices. While I was trying to find happiness in other places, Jesus had longed for me to turn to Him. And even though I felt I was wandering, I wasn’t lost. Instead, Jesus was there, right by my side … waiting.

Considering this, I have a tender spot in my heart for my wandering time. I’m so glad I’ve moved beyond that, but I’ve also discovered so much about God’s faithfulness along the way. Even when I walked away, Jesus didn’t. That means so much to be now.

I love Robin’s transparency and honesty in our chat. I hope our talk can help you or someone you love!

Who is Robin Dance?

A former marketing and PR professional, Robin Dance now encourages others in life and faith as a writer, speaker, and small group leader. She’s a founding contributor for (in)courage, DaySpring’s online community for women, and has advocated for children in poverty as a Compassion International blogger in India. Robin believes listening well, laughter, and generosity are indispensable superpowers, and there might not be a sweeter ministry than a warm delivery of sourdough bread. Married to her college sweetheart and mom to a daughter and two sons, Robin currently lives in middle Georgia.

You can order For All Who Wander HERE.

About the Book:

“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Her circumstances might not have been as dramatic as the father begging Jesus for a miracle, but Robin felt just as desperate in her faith. Feeling lost in a spiritual desert, this was the most honest prayer she could offer. Can you relate to struggling in your faith but longing to believe?

Faith is tidy and neat for some, never unwavering and always so sure. And maybe that’s how you used to feel, but now your once-sure beliefs are less certain, the prescribed faith of your youth no longer enough.

Perhaps life isn’t turning out like you thought it would. Heartbreak and challenges stir doubt. Sunday school answers fall short. God seems distant. Inviting you to find hope and healing in your own story within the pages of hers, in For All Who Wander, Robin Dance will help you:

*Abandon the guilt and shame attached to your questions or doubts.
*Broaden your understanding of God’s grace and faithfulness.
*Release hostage-holding lies to enable you to embrace your identity, hope, and value in Christ.
*Reframe your view of difficulties and disappointments as you understand their redemptive and transformative value.
*Trust that God is working in your wandering to restore and strengthen your faith.

As you walk through Robin’s story with her, you’ll find out for yourself that sometimes wandering is the path that leads you back to God.

Walk It Out Scripture

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

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Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:

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