what does this button do??

The Lord has been SETting me up for moments which are refining my character and establishing my identity in Him, and Him alone. Through this I have been triumphing over challenges/moments that face me every day. In this season, I’ve discovered my voice. I recognize there is an authority given when I speak – and I’m learning to embrace and walk graciously in boldness. I know that I was created to sing – and that the atmosphere changes when I sing in a room, a field, a park, a subway, a street corner, anywhere. There’s a stillness, a peace, a stream of healing water that soaks the hearts of all who hear – including mine. That’s the Lord. The Lord has called me to a deeper dimension of His love – a place where I’ve given all of my heart to Him – and He has free reign.

STRIP. I’ve been stripped of comfort in relationships. It’s been a season of placing myself in situations I don’t always enjoy – and quite possibly might get rejected or let down in – but to choose grace, and to love fully regardless. To walk in confidence – and to make myself available to those around me. Also – to pursue the hearts of my brothers and sisters, here on the field, as well as at home. It’s a process. It’s a refining process. It’s a messy process. It’s a timely process. I’ve been stripped of my previous mindsets…

and now the Lord is ESTABLISHing my identity – my character – and my voice.
I’m learning how to communicate best to those I’m communicating with.
I’m learning to live with no rights – even when I want with all my heart to be right.
I’m learning to let go of expectations – and to communicate my needs, thoughts, and heart.
The Lord is ESTABLISHING my worth in Him. I am beginning to see how I was knit together. I’m beginning to understand why I operate and function like I do. For example, since the Czech Republic, I’ve felt like a little kid with a new toy – and every time I step into something new or familiar I think “Woaaah! What does this button do?!?!”

Here’s where TRIUMPH comes in. I’m not fully sure what this word entails, other than the fact that I serve a victorious King – Mighty God – and faithful Lord! I’m a hard-worker by nature. I set my mind to something and accomplish it. I’m a finisher – and followthrough is absolutely a must! Promises are made to be kept – and keeping my word is a top priority. I’ve realized in this season that “our public victory is a direct result of our private victory”. Seeking the Lord in the secret place – and tapping into His storehouse of love, understanding, wisdom, grace, peace, strength, everything – brings me to a place where my life is no longer about me – serving and meeting my needs – or accomplishing anything out of my strength – but it’s ALL about Him. It’s ALL about His Kingdom – and it’s all about TRUST. I feel like TRUST is a launching pad into TRIUMPHing over any situation or circumstance. My favorite part about the word TRIUMPH is it reminds me of two things – TRIALS and VICTORY. Both come together and unite as one – therefore bringing about a TRIUMPH – an overcoming – a victory over trials. Trials are great – you learn a lot – and mistimes they’re a matter of trusting your way through.

In closing, a BONUS word for this season, I simply must add to the mix, is MYSTERY.

Picture this: my life lately has been a mystery. I have no answers about where I’m going – what I’m doing – even where we’ll be next month. It’s one day at a time – and the more I walk in this – the more I’m starting to love it. Plans are great – and strategies are my favorite – but time and time again, the Lord keeps bringing me back to the basics – back to a place of remembrance of what He’s spoken over my life through those around me – and promises He will follow through on. I’m so thankful God is a promise keeper, aren’t you!?

One word specifically comes from Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” The Lord is SETting me – stripping, establishing, training, moving, growing, and speaking to me in the secret place. When I call to Him, I must trust that He will answer – and that my understanding is nada compared to His.

To piggy-back on this, is one of my life verses, Proverbs 3:5-6 “TRUST in the Lord, and LEAN NOT on your OWN UNDERSTANDING. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

So here’s how you can join me on this journey – you’ve heard my heart in this post, so join me in praying that the Lord will continue to SET me on His path – that I will continue to be stripped of myself and made more like Christ. That I will be rooted and established in the identity Christ has created me with – and triumph over the twists and turns of this season with much JOY! Love, love!