Medellin, Colombia you taught me so many things, but the most prevalent thing I learned from the Lord is the double portion He gives in redemption. Our team has been going through each sharing our testimony when we had team time and it is a true blessing to see how our Father not only redeems our past, but he blesses us with a double portion.
I would like to preface with how God physically showed me a double portion while I was in Colombia. Our first adventure day in Colombia God gave our team a full rainbow right after we came down the stairs of Piedra del Penol. The day we left Colombia to head to Ecuador there was a double rainbow outside of our apartment on the roof. I knew I was learning something, but the moment I saw the rainbow, it was as if God sent us a sign. Funny addition, we saw another rainbow on our first adventure in Banos Ecuador.
Now to share what a double portion means to me and what the Lord has opened my eyes to. Growing up I never felt like I really had friends or a true community, now I have tons of friends in Christ who truly love and care for me (shout out to Gordon soccer girls, Erskine people, the best FG intern group, my SoHills fam). I have been redeemed in my purity as a child of God. There was a time I was corrupted by lust and now I am free enjoying intimacy with God which has looked like over a year of singleness. I am so content in my identity and my singleness because the King of Kings fully satisfies me. I used to struggle with people-pleasing, but now I am secure in who Jesus created me to be. There was a time where I suppressed all my thoughts and feelings, now I have safe community with whom I share all I am dealing with and I have the holy spirit who helps me take every thought captive.
WOW! All Gloy to God. Looking back at all that I have overcome with God by my side brings tears of joy to my face. I physically could not have changed on my own. It is not a behavioural change that I continual go though; God is renewing my heart, mind and soul. I do not want the things of the world and my dependence on God grows every day. I am only 22 years old and God is not close to done with me yet. It makes me speechless to even think of how much more I will grow and look like Christ when I am in my 50s. I have many things to learn and to grow from, but I thrive on giving it over to the light. I want to share with God all the dirt, lies and baggage I carried around for too long. I hope in His redemption and I have peace in His return to earth. Most importantly I can not wait for a double portion of love to flow over the earth as it becomes one again with haven.
There is a podcast that helped me learn a lot about the shame I held on to. There will be a link posted below.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jonathan-david-melissa-helser/id370241266?i=1000404400398
The best part about this newly learned information is that it is not only for me but for you as well. Think back through your life and all that it has happened. Think about all that God has protected you from, how he has changed/redeemed you and all that he has blessed/given to you. If you do not see these fruits in your life I would like to ask the question: What are you holding onto that you do not want to give to God? or What do you love more than God that is of the world?
Currently, I am excited to see my mom and my relationship be fully redeemed. I am excited to grow deeper with her. I am excited to heal with her. I have an amazing Mom who loves the Lord and raised me alone the best way she knew how. I will never have enough words to express my love or enough gifts to express my appreciation for her.
