It’s Still Yours
When I said out loud “what a week” and it’s only Tuesday, I had to sink down in my little rolly wheel chair.
but it has been..
I’ve gone from really happy to really mad and then back to really humble, mostly humble.. and maybe you know what it is like to have that kind of mental/physical exhaustion… the kind that feels like you’re running all day but kind of at a standstill pace or worse, even backwards.
I see you, because I am you.
I want to meet you here to tell you: Breathe, It’s okay. It’s still yours.
Saturday was when the events of the last couple of weeks came to the reckoning of what I had already prepared for but was somehow just as surprised at when it showed up and for the first time I left a place of spiritual comfort and allowed my self to feel upset… angry if we’re being honest (and I hope we are cause…)
I didn’t want to read my Bible, probably because I assumed that I knew what God would have to say about the feelings I had and I wanted to avoid those (honesty) but instead of scolding me, He reminded me of His promise.
I want to remind you, too.
“I know your works. Behold I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Behold I will make those of the synagogue of satan who say that they are jews and are not, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelations 3:8-12
Just in case that needs a translation:
I see that you have been faithful to me. No one can take away what I have for you. I know you are tired, but you’ve honored me as Lord. I will handle those other guys, that other stuff; They will know I love you because you have endured. I will keep you from the hurt than will come to those that don’t honor me, and hold on tight. I promise I am coming soon, do not give away what is yours.
now… a dear friend put me onto the trail of revelations on 12/30/19 after she felt God laid it on her heart to share a scripture that in her words “seemed random” but she was obedient anyway…. and I knew on that day, I would study that book of the Bible next but God had known for eternity how that schedule would unfold. He whispered in her ear on that day knowing how many days it would take me to get from that text to that Saturday where He would reveal that promise right on time. AINT GOD COOL, amen?
and if you can believe in that, believe this too…
nothing can take your promise, but it is up to you to not let it take your joy.
We are offered abundant joy despite circumstances in Christ if you should so choose.
girls, it’s yours.
Who care who got what when how?!
Your promise is still yours.
I know you’re tired, you’ve worked hard, you’re prayed out, and you can’t bear what’s next.
God sees you.
You are going to see Jesus people get Jesus things… you are also going to see not-so-Jesus- people get things you associate with Jesus. Jesus does not measure success like you do. More money does not equal Jesus, success does not equal Jesus, good luck? not Jesus.
Jesus looks like a whore at the well, running to tell of a water that not only cleanses but never leaves you thirsty again. Jesus looks like the only one qualified to throw a stone, but didn’t. Jesus is the cruxification, the most historical picture of unfairness, that is also historically and eternally the Greatest Gift to you and to me.
Things aren’t always what they seem, and if we’re attentive to the Lord and His Word, that is so clearly in black and white laid out for us, we would know that not only is what God has for us ours, we could also learn so so much from the path to the promise.
Satan wants you to feel those things in the moment because he knows that right then it is difficult for us to reach out and tangibly wrap our fingers around our faith that says this is good, God is good.
Don’t react before you can respond.
Quit forgetting that faith is belief in what you cannot see.
you cannot see where God is moving. you cannot see what God is doing. You cannot see how this can possibly good… but don’t forget you’re not supposed to.
It wouldn’t be faith if you could.
The promises are yours; so is the Joy.
keep them both.
God gives it freely, so if you don’t have it, it is because you gave it away.
“I have set before you a door that no one can shut”
no one but yourself.
God,
Circumstances are tricky. They make us impulsive, but only because we let them. Joy is You, Father. I am sorry we have given it so many other names like money, success, or popularity. God, Help us recognize Satan not only for who he is but what he does. He steals; he is a thief, but God, he is also a loser because You, Lord, have won the fight, the war is over and all of his antics were conquered at the cross. God, thank you for the ultimate and unfair sacrifice of your son on our behalf; on my behalf God. Let us not give him more than he has already lost. Thank you, God, for keeping my promises mine, when I deserve them and when I don’t. Thank you, God, for you.
amen,
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