encouragement

Over the past 6 months things have become especially crazy in our world. Most recently the Covid 19 epidemic and Black Lives Matter movement have impacted life in profound ways.

Covid 19 has definitely had a huge impact on what life looks like on a day to day basis. Fear seems to be running high most everywhere- fear of getting sick, fear of not having needed supplies (like toilet paper…), fear of not having financial income/stability, fear of losing a loved one, fear of being alone, fear of not knowing what the future holds, and fear of isolation. These are all very real and true things to be concerned about, but the thing that breaks my heart is that the focus on fear is stealing the joy and blessings that each day offers. If our focus is only one of fear and despair, one will miss the blessings that are present. I always tell my family that in every struggle or trial there is a treasure!! Something to be grateful for and to allow you to experience peace and joy in the midst of difficult times. In the Bible the words “fear not” are present over 365 times- that’s a daily reminder to trust the Lord and His provision. We have a choice to choose faith or fear. We can choose to live in fear and unrest or we can choose to lean into the promises of God and choose joy and gratitude. You can’t live in both camps at the same time. I pray fear and chaos don’t steal the beauty in each day. There is always something to be grateful for each day-some days it’s easier to find than others but it is there!!

Secondly, the Black Lives Matter movement while on some fronts has been represented by peaceful protests, on other fronts there have been violent riots and destruction of property. I question the overall productiveness of the violent and destructive means for any cause. I struggle with all the labeling and judgement of all people based on race, gender and whatever other title culture wants to come up with. For me, all people matter. I believe God loves everyone and He loves and values diversity as well. I believe culture has used diversity in this country to create division. I believe God meant for diversity to be celebrated in the uniqueness of each individual and the unique purpose for which He designed each individual. He is a multifaceted God. So I ask myself what is the underlying root cause of the outward displays of violence and hatred for another individual. Fear, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, rage, selfishness, etc are all displayed as a result of a deeper underlying “heart condition”. They are the manifestation of what one holds deep within their heart. Ones internal “heart condition” is portrayed through a persons behavior and interaction with others. What’s the old saying- actions speak louder than words?! What if we choose to listen and value another person’s different perspective? What if varying perspectives gave vision to a bigger picture? What if we focused more on commonalities and strengthened those aspects through relationship-would not the chasm of the differences start to be healed as we meet each other where we are today and truly tried to understand and communicate respectively with one another? What if these deeper discussions caused each individual to then take a step back and reflect on why they believe what they believe or to try and understand why another person believes what they believe? What if it caused each individual to look at their own “heart condition” and to work on areas that need to be healed- some of which may have been blind spots they didn’t recognize? I know it’s a lot of “what if’s” and I know that this is an area the Lord is working on in my heart too. Do I choose to value each individual regardless of whatever label culture gives them and to see each person as loved and valued equally by God and therefore by me as well? May my actions speak louder than my words.

I pray that we each continue to check our own individual “heart condition” and choose to value each human life as valuable. I believe for true lasting change to happen we each need to start with our own “heart condition”, our own families, and expanding beyond that to our individual sphere of influence. Hurting people tend to hurt people even if they don’t do it intentionally and hurting people tend to be self focused on their own wounds making them less able to see and value others in the way God does. There is healing through God’s love-I’ve lived it and am so grateful. There is hope, but it begins within each individual’s “heart condition” and seeing each life as equally valuable. God can heal heart wounds if you will allow Him the access to do so. We all have influence on the people in our lives. What will your influence look like? Blessings and Shalom!!!!

Part 3 of a 3 part series: Beloved Identity

So last week was about choices and love. The final part of this series is about knowing who you are and walking in that identity with confidence and security, knowing you have a purpose and a plan. While this is still a journey that the Lord is refining in me, walking in beloved identity means I know and trust who I am based on what God says, not what culture or others say. It means not doubting that the Lord made me unique and I’m not supposed to look, act or be like anyone else. Trusting His purpose for me in His kingdom plan. Knowing the way He will walk with me in His plan isn’t going to look like anyone elses, it may not even make sense to anyone else and it may not even make sense to me- and that’s okay!!! I should rejoice that He has something specific for me and for you that no one else can fulfill. That I’m not meant to be like anyone else so no comparison needed in this life. This reality was like lifting a huge weight off my shoulders!!! It means trusting the Lord as the author and provider of all things in my life. Knowing He is a good Father and He always calls for an exchange of things in my life not to keep something from me but to better my life. He wants to take what I hang onto as “good enough” and give me ” the best”. I need to remember what I think is “best” and what He deems as best may not look the same and may look crazy to someone else looking from the outside in.

Beloved identity means knowing in your heart(not just your head) that He sees me/you (through the blood of Jesus) as pure and blameless. That He (through the blood of Jesus) has restored those whom love Him and given them all power and authority so we can come boldly before Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in making choices that will take us on the path and journey through life that He deems best and that fulfills His purpose in our life’s for furthering His kingdom. Beloved identity means we can pray from a posture of knowing our prayers are heard and will be answered in His own timing and purpose(not necessarily based on what we may want or deem as being needed). Beloved identity means living and walking in peace each day even in the midst of lifes storms and challenges because our Abba Father is at the helm and loves us. Beloved identity means we don’t need to strive, but we need to trust and follow His leading. Beloved identity means He loves us no matter what(like most parents love their children, like most pet owners love their pets). It means He extends grace and mercy to us so we can extend it to others that they too may walk in beloved identity instead of an identity based on conditional love or an identity of works, or an identity of past hurts and failures or an identity that changes based on what culture or others say about me or you.

Beloved identity allows you to love with a pure heart versus self seeking heart because you know that Your Heavenly Father provides all you need and He only desires your whole heart, tender and fully surrendered. He’s jealous for time with you, loving you beyond comprehension. He’s always there desiring relationship and intimacy with you. He wants to take you and I on a wild, crazy, fun loving and fulfilling adventure in this life on earth. He will challenge us and stretch us to grow individually along the way. He will definitely ask us to get out of our comfort zone (I love to be comfortable, but I realize growth only happens when being stretched beyond one’s comfort zone). The question is, “Will you surrender and look forward to what He has in store or will you be paralyzed by fear(like I was) or paralyzed by whatever is causing you to keep your heart guarded-missing His BEST life for you? Remember that I too am on this journey and somedays are easier than others, but I can tell you that the times I fully surrender are the most blessed and least stressful!!!

This is a prayer I pray: “Lord I choose to trust and follow you with a surrendered heart, passionately in love with You, looking forward to whatever You have for me in this life. Lord guide me and teach me. Thank you in advance for I know You love me and I can trust You!!!” Amen

I pray as you go forth you will be blessed, challenged and purposeful in knowing your identity in Christ and trusting what He says about you and trusting His leading every moment of every day!!! I’m including a song title on youtube that has blessed me and encouraged me. I hope it does the same for you!!!! Blessings!!

“This Little Light of Mine” by Addison Road

Intentionally Purposeful

Be intentional and purposeful in creating a life you love!!!

“Heart Condition”

It’s all about Identity!!