Posts tagged christianity

I Will Trust

Christianity Devotional

Trusting God in the Storms of Life: Finding Strength and Encouragement

I am old enough to use euphemisms like “I’ve been through some storms” or “I’ve experienced the turbulence of a hurricane blowing through life”. The good thing about these phrases is that it’s so general anyone can fit their situations in it. It could be anything from someone hurting our feelings, missing the bus or the grief of losing someone precious.

Are you going through a storm? I’m sure you are. Everyone goes through something at some point. And if it’s not today, I pray this word finds your heart when that time comes.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. ‭‭Psalms 56:3 NLT‬‬ 

Or this one: ‭‭

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7 ESV‬‬

I have observed that God is a choice. What I mean is I can choose fear or I can choose God. I can choose to hide in Him or be battered by the winds of life. Constantly we must decide life or death. And God begs us to choose the path of life.‭ (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV‬‬)

To “put my trust” is active, not passive. It doesn’t come naturally, it comes by choice. What does that choice look like? It is reminding myself of all the ways He’s come through before and declaring that since His character does not and has not changed He will come through again. 

I have learned and yet I am still learning to hold to 3 immutable truths:

  1. God is good. He can be nothing else but good. Therefore if my circumstance does not look or feel good then He will work it out for my good. ALWAYS
  2. I am loved by Love Himself. God is love and He loves me. So I can be confident that my trust won’t be wasted
  3. God is Emmanuel. He is with us. He is with me. He has never left nor will He ever forsake me.

With these truths, I’m learning to hide. Notice the present continuous verbs I use. Each storm is different some more fearsome than the other. Some storms cause me to chuckle. I’m confident like a superhero staring down an inferior enemy. Some storms though, cause my innards to shake and my knees to buckle under the pressure. Some storms make me want to hide in bed and not want to face the day. In those storms, I must learn to hide again. Hide in the truth of who God is and who He is to me. 

I promise you. He will come through. It may not look like how you imagined but somehow He always does.

Be encouraged today. God is worthy of your trust. Declare it till you see it. Declare it till you believe it: I will trust.

Write Fully Yours

Lady Kavan

Mercy Follows Me

Christianity

Monday Devotional – October 10 2022

Mercy Follows Me

‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.’ Psalms 23:6

https://my.bible.com/bible/1849/LUK.7.36-39,47

Read: 

'Afterward Simeon, a Jewish religious leader, asked Jesus to his home for dinner. Jesus accepted the invitation. When he went to Simeon’s home, he took his place at the table. In the neighborhood there was an immoral woman of the streets, known to all to be a prostitute. When she heard that Jesus was at Simeon’s house, she took an exquisite flask made from alabaster, filled it with the most expensive perfume, went right into the home of the Jewish religious leader, and in front of all the guests, she knelt at the feet of Jesus. Broken and weeping, she covered his feet with the tears that fell from her face. She kept crying and drying his feet with her long hair. Over and over she kissed Jesus’ feet. Then, as an act of worship, she opened her flask and anointed his feet with her costly perfume. When Simeon saw what was happening, he thought, “This man can’t be a true prophet. If he were really a prophet, he would know what kind of sinful woman is touching him.” She has been forgiven of all her many sins. This is why she has shown me such extravagant love. But those who assume they have very little to be forgiven will love me very little.”' Luke 7:36-39,47

Reflect: 

Have you been forgiven a lot? Prostitution may not have been your sin, but have you lied or been deceitful? Have you gossiped? Have your thoughts been pure? I don’t need to list every sin in scripture to know that you have been forgiven a lot. The bible says all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. No exceptions. So why do we have an opportunity to rejoice and pour our praise lavishly on the Shepherd of our hearts? Because we have been forgiven. 

‘Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord .’ Psalms 23:6

I pray today that we remain grateful for God’s daily renewal of His mercy. May our hearts never forget the sweetness of the relief we felt when he first lifted the burden of sin off our shoulders. I pray that we give thanks for His unfailing love that pursues us in spite of us. It is Thanksgiving Day in Canada and I pray that we spend a few moments trying to count the ways He has blessed us abundantly.

Here is the top seven on my gratitude list today:

  1. There is breath in lungs
  2. I have been forgiven of so much
  3. God’s undeniable, unexplainable love for this woman – all that I am and all I am not
  4. Family!
  5. My Tribe – those folks who choose to have my back
  6. Provision – God continues to blow my mind
  7. The things I hate to go through – They teach me so much more than comfort does

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

Describe God’s mercy towards you

What are you grateful for today?

Declaration: 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Healing is My Bread

Christianity
slice of bread

Devotional – September 27 2022

Healing is My Bread

‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Matthew 6:11

Read: 

'Then Jesus left and went north into the non-Jewish region of Lebanon. He encountered there a Canaanite woman who shouted out to him, “Lord, Son of David, show mercy to me! My daughter is horribly afflicted by a demon that torments her.” But Jesus never answered her. So his disciples said to him, “Why do you ignore this woman who is crying out to us?” Jesus said, “I’ve only been sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” But she came and bowed down before him and said, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It’s not right for a man to take bread from his children and throw it out to the dogs.” “You’re right, Lord,” she replied. “But even puppies get to eat the crumbs that fall from the prince’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Dear woman, your faith is strong! What you desire will be done for you.” And at that very moment, her daughter was instantly set free from demonic torment.' Matthew 15:21-28

Reflect: 

In our text today, Jesus describes healing as bread for His children. What is bread? Across cultures everywhere, bread is basic essential food; naan, roti, flatbread, sliced bread, a descriptor for nourishment, heavenly carbs! Earlier in Matthew 7 Jesus taught His disciples to pray for asking for “daily bread”. As we reflect on this passage, a woman outside of covenant with God begged for her daughter’s healing. She was willing to satisfy with the crumbs from the table laden with the bread of healing. She received her request through faith. How much more should we expect healing as sons and daughters invited to the banquet of Christ?

 I believe daily bread refers not only to physical nourishment but to healing on all levels of our beings. Yes, we need healing in our mortal bodies and we should expect it, pray for it, and consider it done until we see it manifested in the physical realm. But, too often we neglect the deeper work of healing in our mind, will and emotions. The apostle prayed in 3 Jn 1 that we prosper and be in good health even as our souls prosper. This speaks to healing of the whole person body soul and spirit. Last week, I attended a counseling session where the Holy Spirit revealed an area in my heart that He was ready to address. It circled around an issue I’ve been dealing with and healing from for a long time.  You see, what sometimes feels like battling the “same issue” is actually God saying I am healing the issue at a deeper level. I heal hearts in layers, says God.

I encourage you today, ask for your daily bread.

Remember it includes the provision of your physical needs as well as for our emotional, mental and spiritual ones as well. Remember Jesus paid for your healing and wholeness with His life. ‘But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. ‘ Isaiah 53:5

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

Where do you need healing today?

Declaration: 

Healing is my bread! Healing is my birthright as a Child of God

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Same Power

Christianity

Monday Devotional – September 12 2022

Same Power

‘The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. ‘ Romans 8:11

https://my.bible.com/en-GB/bible/116/ROM.8.11

Read: 

'After the Sabbath ended, at the first light of dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to take a look at the tomb. Suddenly, the earth shook violently beneath their feet as the angel of the Yahweh descended from heaven. Lightning flashed around him and his robe was dazzling white! The guards were stunned and terrified—lying motionless like dead men. Then the angel walked up to the tomb, rolled away the stone, and sat on top of it! The women were breathless and terrified, until the angel said to them, “There’s no reason to be afraid. I know you’re here looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously, just as he said! Come inside the tomb and see the place where our Lord was lying. Then run and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead! I give you his message: ‘I am going ahead of you to Galilee and you will see me there.’ ”  Matthew 28:1-7

Reflect: 

We don’t often speak about the resurrection outside of Easter, but today I felt impressed with a singular thought and message. Resurrection lives inside of us. The same Spirit that caused a man, Jesus, who was dead for three days to get up, fold his clothes and walk away, has a residence card for the city of our hearts. Think about it. Today’s reflection will not be long or wordy. We have access to the same power and authority that shook earth physically, dismantled the stronghold of demonic forces spiritually and changed the course of history. Have we tapped into that authority or does the enemy still get to pound us on every side without any fight back?

Indeed, the Holy Spirit is challenging me now about ways I’ve allowed the enemy to hijack my thoughts and rob my peace. Today, I declare no more. Will you? 

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

List the ways the Holy Spirit is prompting you to use your authority in this season.

Pray and ask Him how. Write down what He says.

Declaration: 

The same Spirit and power that rose Christ from the dead lives in me. I have the authority to dismiss every evil plan and scheme the enemy has in my life and I will use that authority today!

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

The Lion and the Lamb

Christianity

Monday Devotional – September 5 2022

The Lion and the Lamb

“And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb.  Every knee will bow before Him (Bethel Music)”

A Lion and A Lamb

Read: 

'But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” 'Revelation 5:5-10

Reflect: 

During the worship session on Sunday, we sang the Lion and the Lamb by Bethel Worship and the song has been on mental auto repeat since. I keep reflecting on the oxymoron that Jesus is declared in scripture to be both a Lion and a lamb. In the animal kingdom, you couldn’t find two animals more opposing in character; one fierce, the other meek, one a predator, the other one a prey.

So how can these two titles be declared of the same God? As Lion, Jesus remains undefeated and mighty to fight our battles. He has already conquered the enemy so that we can fight our adversaries from a position of victory. Yet that same Jesus, ‘Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. ‘ Philippians 2:6-8

This is the truth of the Kingdom of God: the first shall be last and the last first, to give is more blessed than to receive (Read Matthew 5 – 7). Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah became the Lamb that was slain to save us from sin. What beauty to wield infinite power but choose to voluntarily lay it down for us to be able to come close to Him? The thought is too deep to truly grasp. Praise Jesus!

Beyond causing us to feel overwhelming gratitude and to dive into deep praise, how does Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb help us to walk through our days on this side of eternity?

We are joint heirs with Jesus and we have been consigned to a measure of authority on this earth through His name. Yet we are called to walk in humility, not thinking of ourselves too lofty. As Christ followers, we are called to love even those who make it difficult.

We are called to do what is right, to love mercy and walk humbly. At the same time, we do not give the enemy a foothold in our lives, we fight with weapons mighty through God to tear down strongholds and to silence principalities, powers and every evil thing. But we were never called to use that authority to tear down people. Humans we are called to love, as a matter of will not emotion. We ought to be both lions and lambs as the Holy Spirit leads.

If we truly read the “love verse” 1 Corinthians 13, it does not frame love as an emotion but rather a set of choices we make moment by moment to be an extension and a representative of Christ in the earth. Let’s choose love this week. Let’s be lions and lambs.

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

This week, ask God to show you in what areas of your life do you need to be more the lion than the lamb and vice versa.

Declaration: 

I fight a defeated enemy. Jesus who is both the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb that was slain is my example. I will be both lion and lamb today.

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash

Photo by Daniel Sandvik on Unsplash

Built for this

Christianity 1 Comment

Monday Devotional – August 29 2022

Built for this

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13

Read: 

'Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; … Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “ Lord , I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.' II Kings 6:8a,14-18

Reflect: 

In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria sought a war with Israel. I suggest you read the whole story it is quite phenomenal. Every time the King plotted, God revealed the plot to Elisha and so Israel avoided the war. The king found out that Elisha was the King of Israel’s advisor and set out to get him. Elisha woke up one morning only to find himself fully surrounded by the enemy. By all indication there was no way out. By natural eyes the situation was hopeless but Elisha did not panic. He didn’t just have hope, he knew something crucial. Elisha knew who he was and to whom he belonged. Do you? He knew His God had not suddenly abandoned him and that the presence of a battle was not indication of defeat or abandonment. There was more on his team than there was on the enemy’s side. 

Today I want to encourage you. God who is Emmanuel (God with you and in you) says you were built for this. Greater is he who is within you than he who is in the world (I John 4:4). There will always be more on your side than on your enemy’s side – You plus God is more than enough. All the angels and people He assigns to help you in your time of struggle are tools in His all powerful hand.

You battle from a position of victory, a battle already won.  So do not fear, ask God for the strategy for your next and be confident He will answer. As Elisha watched the approach of the enemy his prayer was simple, not panicked. God came through then and He already has the answer for you now. Ask for it, listen for the answer and act accordingly. 

I love Chandler Moore’s song “Built for this”. The first verse says:

 “There’s no battle that I’m not built for. I’m flesh and blood but that’s not my war. Mountain moments or valley seasons. Come whatever. Greater lives within”

Chandler Moore

We are not exempt from the battle but we should remember, Jesus already won!

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

This week, ask God to open your eyes to see. Ask him to expose the enemy and reveal the way out. Write what He says and be obedient to the instructions He gives.

Declaration: 

There is more for me than against me. I am built for this battle and I have already won!

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

God, what do You want from me?

Christianity 2 Comments

Monday Devotional – August 22 2022

God, what do You want from me?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT
Verse of the Day

Read: 

‘But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question , tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ‘ Matthew 22:34-40

Reflect: 

I love how congruent God’s Word is. Old Testament and New work together to tell one story of God’s unquestionable love for humanity. Sometimes I question God about His grand plan for me. Purpose is a big buzzword; an important word really. We need to know why we are here but we often discover that while actively waiting. God what do you want from me? His Word says three things in Micah 6: do what is right, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. We have opportunities everyday for all three.

Jesus said it this way “Love God… Love your neighbour as yourself”. If it sounds like two different instructions look closer. When we love God then we will obey His commandments and do the right things, situation by situation we will make right choices. In the same way when we love our neighbour we will love mercy and bestow on them compassion and forgiveness especially when we are in a position to harm, punish or exert power.  Finally walk humbly with, not ahead not behind but with God. Walking ahead of God is prideful. We assume we can do it on our own. Walking behind God is delayed obedience, we try to rationalize His instructions, we debate and bargain before following his instruction. Both are dangerous.  What joy and peace we find when we do as He says.

This week let us look for opportunities to do what is right, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. In these three we fulfill the two greatest commandments. 

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

This week, ask God to show you opportunities to do what is right, love mercy, walk humbly with your God and write them down. 

Declaration: 

I will love God with all that I am. I will take every opportunity to extend love to those around me.  

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Even if

Christianity Devotional

Monday Devotional – August 15 2022

Even if

‘Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ‘ 2 Corinthians 12:9

https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/2co.12.9/46023?version=116

Read: 

'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 'Daniel 3:16-18

Reflect: 

Some seasons in life are more difficult to navigate than others. We often do not see purpose in pain, strength in struggle or victory in the war till we are past it. The three Hebrew boys stood confidently before the threat of death and I wonder how or why? Our three Hebrew friends, though captive in a foreign land and stripped of their Hebrew names, worked diligently and by God’s grace lived in a measure of prominence and wealth. They were appointed to rule over the affairs of Babylon (Daniel 3:30) .  Their flaw was that they worshiped Yahweh and not the Babylonian gods. The other men of influence were not pleased that slaves were excelling in the way they were. Perhaps the question should be in whom did their confidence rest?

Shadrach Meshach and Abednego had an “even if” praise. They knew the same God that kept them so far, was able to keep them now. More importantly they understood His sovereignty. God does not need to answer their prayer favorably to remain God. He is the Great I am and He does as He pleases.

Can we choose to have an “even if praise” as we face our own “Nebuchadnezzan” obstacles that demand we bow in their presence? Will we choose to say: even if this relationship fails, even if I am overlooked for promotion, even if my gas light comes on, even if my family member doesn’t beat the illness, even if I still struggle with my health, even if my life doesn’t look like I expect it to, even if… ‘I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ Psalms 34:1?

Raise an “even if” praise today and throughout this week. For one, God deserves it and secondly worship shifts our perspective. A Godly perspective on our present circumstance is what make the difference in how we navigate life, whether miserably our confidently.

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

  • What is my Nebuchadnezzan obstacle?
  • How has God delivered me before?
  • How can I remain confident God has my best interest in mind.

Pray: 

Lord, I pray today that I will heed your word and praise you in spite of how I feel. I pray that even if You don’t move the mountains I will recognize and declare your sovereignty in all things. In Jesus name. Amen.

Declaration:

I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Breathe

Devotional

Monday Devotional – June 27 2022

Breathe

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalms 150:6 NLT

Read: 

'God, the Lord , created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says, “I, the Lord , have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. ' Isaiah 42:5-7

Reflect: 

Happy Monday!? For many of us Monday carries a weight and a measure of anxiety not experienced any other day of the week. Monday for many of us is the end of the weekend, the beginning of the drudgery of a week of plodding through work. Work is the thing we have to do so we can do the things we need to do and then the things we want. Frankly I’m tired of it. Why cant Mondays feel like Friday? Why should one day feel so ominous? It shouldnt.

A perspective shift is required. If we worship, if we are using our breath to praise the Lord, then the day of the week doesnt matter. Secondly Isaiah 42:5 – 7 establishes purpose. God gave me breath and purposed me to use it to show His love and righteousness to the nations. We cannot do that if we embrace the cultural norm to dread Mondays. Instead Monday is another opportunity to walk out purpose and be a light in the spaces you occupy.

So lets slow down a moment. Inhale deeply, remind ourselves of what privilege it is to be able to fill our lungs with air. Exhale, release the anxiety and the fear. Again –  Inhale you are still here. Exhale, release your worship to the One who deserves it all.

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt:

What makes me so anxious about Mondays?

What can I do to remind myself to breathe intentionally?

How can God use me this week to demonstrate His love peace and grace this week? 

Pray: 

Lord, I pray today that I will heed your word and praise you in spite of how I feel.

Affirmation:

I will use my breath to worship. I will see my daily activities as an opportunity to be a light to others and to showcase the love and power of Jesus.

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Stepping into the Four O

Christianity Life 1 Comment

On the first of May, I crossed the daunting threshold of 40.  If you know me, you know I love my birthdays. Growing up, my mother made sure we felt celebrated on our day. It didn’t matter whether she had money. A cupcake, a tub of icecream and plenty love always made the day special. Gifts were extra.

But in the weeks preceding this milestone year, there wasn’t the usual countdown or excitement. To be transparent, I got sucked into the ingratitude rabbit hole when I started to think about all the things I thought I would have by now. I actually contemplated not celebrating because I couldn’t do it as big and luxurious as I hoped at “this age”. The root of that depression or funk was comparison. The Word and a couple friends slapped me straight.

The truth is, God has been convicting me about my definition of winning. His expectation is that we run the race set before us, not the one set for the next person. I grew up with the expectation that life would be a straight line; go to school, get a job, get married, buy a house and live happily ever after. Adulthood shakes that perception on the surface really quickly. And for me the events of December 2015 threw my life in such a tailspin, I still sometimes feel unbalanced by it. Deep inside, I long to get back on track to check off a list.

The question reverberating in my spirit is what if God’s plan is totally different from my own. I have been trying to unlearn my traditional views about what a successful life looks like. I remember countless prophesies that declare how much purpose has been tucked inside of me, waiting for revelation. A recent sermon series has me reflecting on Joseph. God foretold his purpose in a dream as a child and gave no clues about how it would come to be. Reading his story in a few chapters, if we don’t look deep enough, hides the fact that Joseph was 17 when he first dreamt of leadership. He was presumably almost 40 when his dream comes to pass. Between then, most of us know the story; betrayal, slavery, false imprisonment and forgotten – so not a straight line.

Yet God in His Omniscience is able to weave every part of Joseph’s story, mine and yours into a purpose filled tail of redemption, healing and victory. My goal is to be able to declare like Paul “Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness.” Philippians 3:7‭-‬8 TP

In the meantime, I’m enjoying a perspective shift and embracing of a new freedom. My race is my own. I am my only competition and God truly is the Author and Finisher of my faith. What He started in me, He will finish. The path may be riddled with stuff I don’t like, painful, excruciating even but I don’t have to worry. God is fully in control.

Write Fully Yours

Lady Kavan