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Friday, July 16, 2010

He Spared My Life

My life was spared over an unexpected sale on men’ snakeskin boots. On a mundane southern afternoon, my mama reminisced against flashes of music from passing cars and sudden laughter from the open window. The sun’s light appeared brilliant against the sunken, dusty blue couch and crushed pillows that propped up her breast and arm. And as her voice fell against me like shards of glass, it was ironic that she sought to encourage me with her terrible news.

My mama told me to never believe that I was not meant to be here. That God had his hand upon me because she did her best to take me out. Upon learning of her pregnancy, she swiftly made an appointment and sat patiently in the clinic. And though he was late, she reassured herself that he would bring the money so she could move on without me.

But life would have it that he was delayed in route to the clinic by a sale on snakeskin boots. My mama shared when he walked in grinning in boots she’d never seen, she knew there was a problem. He apologized but kept proudly glancing at his feet as he shared he had always wanted a pair and they were finally on sale so she would just have to wait on the money.

Disappointed but determined, she made new plans to get me out the way. And as my mama sat in the clinic a second time, she tried to ignore the sinking feeling as the hands on the clock kept moving with no sign of him and the money. She learned later that he got arrested in route to the clinic for some mischief or the other. And so weary now, but not to be outdone my mother made a third appointment but she was too far along so she cursed everyone that worked there, including God who would not bring this to pass.

And so before I was introduced to the world, I survived three attempts on my life and entered the world under Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” And within the secret plans for my death was borne a witness that we can all hold on to. That I am here, despite what others planned for me, because God never took his hand from me. And while he used snakeskin boots and sudden arrests to keep them off of me, there are symbols and stories in your life that demonstrates God’s love and protection of you.

And so as the light played against my mama’s pretty brown freckled face and I watched her beautiful lips tell of secret plots, I did walk away with something that would never leave me. I began to absorb that even if my own mama didn’t love me like she should, a greater power did. And while it’s hard to believe anyone can love you unconditionally if your own mama didn’t, it dawned on me that God cared enough about me to stop an unimportant black girl from having her way. And with my head resting on the cool bus window, the merest hint of a smile began to stretch across my face as I awakened to the understanding that I moved in favor.

My transparency about my beginnings is so you are able to embrace that His favor is the reason you are still here, despite what others planned for you. Your circumstances, challenges, pain, background, what people think of you…none of those can determine your destiny if you keep listening to who God says you can be. In her own tough way, my mama was encouraging me that I was here for a purpose. And that no matter what I would face through the years, I could look at that thing with courage because I did not face it alone.

Perhaps I’m here simply to share this simple truth... That God really loves you and will never leave you. Nor will he allow your enemies to overtake you, no matter how many times they come up against you. God is with you and His favor is simply a reflection of the immense love He has for you. I know it for myself and thought I’d remind you of that powerful truth.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Spiritual Soldiers

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes..." Ephesians 6:11-17

One of the realities we all come to is that sometimes we are in the right fight but with the wrong people. We believe we are really at odds with a co-worker, another church member, or even the person we are in a relationship with. But when we come to the realization that it's not the individual we struggle against, but the spirit that is controlling them we can shift our approach.

When we focus on it being the person, then we fight them in the flesh where we can never have victory. Because the enemy is masterful at things of the flesh it's an uneven match. You can't bring a knife to a gunfight and that's what you do when you think you'll give that person back what they are giving to you. But when you understand that you are dealing with the rulers of darkness that are strategic in their assignments to destroy and kill you, then we have to know what weapons to fight with and protect ourselves.

The fact that they rule in darkness indicates that they cannot handle the light. And the light is the Word of God, which is why Psalm 119:105 says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." When the Scripture acknowledges that there is wickedness in high places that tells you that the enemy does have power. So it would be unwise to believe you can face such a formidable foe on your own strength. Your strength will come from the Word of God and He prepares us strategically for being spiritual soldiers.

God clearly directs us on how to protect ourselves, yet rather than put on the belt of truth, many of us are spiritually sagging. You can't be prepared to defend yourself from the world when everything about you reflects the world. And as we guard our chest, we are really being protective of what is placed in our hearts for there we find the seat of our conduct and character. And character is simply what you will do when you believe no one is watching.

Then He tells us that our feet should be fitted in Christian cleats so we can hold our ground, despite the elements that seek to make us lose our footing. And that shield of defense against the advances of others is surely made from the promises of God.

The enemy is relentless and if he can defeat us on the battlefield of our minds, our flesh will easily follow. But we must be clear that the fight is not physical, it's not against the person in front of us; it's one of spirit and in that we have the confidence that we have already been given victory. But we can delay or forfeit the promised end when we do not rely on God's strength.

We have all been prepared for these ceaseless battles and as spiritual soldiers, we should be tireless in working towards "'Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Followers