“Listen to Me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb; from the body of my mother He named me. He has made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of His hand He has concealed me; and He has also made me a select arrow, He has hidden me in His quiver. He said to me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will show My glory.” – Isaiah 49: 1-3
My SQL, Bethany spoke this word over me as G squad leadership prayed over me through this transition. She said that I am like a select arrow that God has been sharpening, that for now in this season of life, God has put me in His quiver, hidden me away in His hand until He desires to pull me back out. However short or long of a time it will be.
This past week I have been dancing in the freedom that God has blessed me with in this season of my life! Through a change that could be so easily mangled into turmoil, hate, negativity, and loss of spiritual zeal, God has shined. HE has given me a freedom I have not felt in a long time; a freedom to rest in His presence and pursue Him flat out, with no other distractions. I literally feel like a little child, basking in the goodness of the Lord, loving as a child does with no fear and nothing to hold them back from pursuing their God given dreams. I have been epically blessed as many of you have come along side of me to encourage me, hold me accountable, and point me back to Jesus. Thanks Ya’ll!
Lately, the devil has been trashing my mind from every angle, trying desperately to whisper lies that I will grab hold of. He speaks lies about me, my value, my leadership skills, my team, and our overall impact for the Kingdom. The jerk even gives me excuses that I could choose to decide to buy into and put the blame on. He just wants me to settle, to stop growing, and be defined by my self-made limits. Well, God has been showing me how I can punch the devil in the face on the daily and shatter the box of limitations I put on myself. I have been sitting down more & more with the Lord. We have been redefining my goals for the race and for life. Each morning as I sit with God, I decide to die to myself & live for Him. I then go out, commit, and accomplish my goals with His help. Through commitment and not giving into my self-made limitations of what I think I can do, or believing the devils lies, I K.O. the evil one. And what a joyous feeling and freedom there is in the victory that Christ has brought!
When it comes down to it I either stand affirmed in Christ, or wallow in defeat at what the devil would call a failure. It’s just like a shot from the woods. In golf, when a tee shot goes astray and ends up residing in the thick wooded area well off the fairway you have only but a decision to make in your reaction. You can choose to be enraged, frustrated at your error, and the current bad position you now lie in. Thus, setting the precedent for the rest of your round. Or you can choose to view the shot from the woods as an opportunity to score. Through God’s grace, mercy, and hand on my life I choose to continue to grow. I choose to learn, to be teachable, and to be continually molded by my Master! I have been put on this earth to follow Jesus, to walk as He walked. Wherever I am meant to be or whatever position I need to be in to grow closer to my Lord, I will be. I choose to score. I choose Joy. I choose to continue in pursuit of the lover of my soul, daily communing with Him and asking what He has for right now.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” – Habakkuk 3: 17-19
MINISTRY: Ministry has been epic! We work with kids from the ages of 2-18 whose parents are not around or could not afford to raise them. The team and I are incredibly busy all day with many teaching sessions and cementing walls around the property. I will write to you more on ministry in the next blog, just know that it is a riot hanging out with kids everyday all day and trying to be there example of Christ!
