I was a little shaken up by yet another shooting in the United States, this time being in a Baptist Church in Texas... What difference is there between the church in Texas and mine in California? People are broken, people are hurting, people are deceived, people need Love.
When my grandma and Tía woke me up, I was in a terrible mood- my heart was anxious and my body and mind were tired. Anxiety steals rest that the Lord has promised to give to us, His Beloved. We don’t ever need to be anxious about ANYTHING- but in EVERYTHING, by prayer & petition, with Thanksgiving, we are to present our requests to God.
So what I should’ve done last night, and now choose to do, is tell the Lord that my heart is nervous, it’s anxious and overwhelmed, by the state of the world and the depravity of man. He already sees and knows my heart, better than I do, in fact. So why not be honest with Him?
He promises peace that transcends ALL understanding and that guards our hearts... What a beautiful exchange!!! In place of our anxiety, when we come to God with Thanksgiving, in prayer and petition, He gives us peace that transcends our understanding!
I then prayed this,
“Papa, my heart hurts and I’m scared. Why is man so dark? But before I point out the darkness of others- illuminate and bring to the light any and every part of my heart that is dark, bound and compromised. I want You and You alone! And I declare that I trust YOU, Abba!!! I say have Your way in and through me- You are my heart’s desire.
I have no answers- but I am willing. I want to serve You however You need me to- I love You and we all need You!”
Life is crazy. But I assure you that my God is good, He is LOVE and He is with us. He is working all things out for our good and for His glory. And because of His great faithfulness, His love for justice and His mercies that are new every morning, we never need to be afraid!
Joshua 1:9 says this: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
We cannot make this into a political debate. What it comes down to is the heart of man. As believers, we carry the one thing that can grab ahold of the coldest and darkest heart and see it softened and filled with light; as believers, we carry the one thing that can mend and restore a broken and shattered heart and make it whole and full of purpose and dreaming again; as believers, we carry the one thing that can take an angry heart and see it revived with life, grace and identity. What is this one thing we hold as believers that sets us apart from unbelievers? We have Jesus Christ. We are to be a city on a hill.
Yeah, the world gets darker and darker- but God’s Kingdom only ever advances. Greater is He inside of us than he who is in the world.
So remember, to not let circumstances overwhelm you- but press into, lean on and be honest with Jesus. With thanksgiving, present your requests and your needs to God and receive the peace He gives! Remember that the Lord wants to partner with you! So rise in courage and grab ahold of the destiny, the dreams, the vision and the purposes God has created for you now and in the future! Trust the way the Lord is leading you and reach out to those He places on your path with wisdom, love, light and discernment. We hold the key to see those bound by chains set free- use the key. Jesus is the key.
Remember that nothing is without purpose. My rough, grumpy and emotional morning opened up my heart to be so real and vulnerable with Abba.. it’s proven to be so beautiful because I found more hope in Jesus than before! Also, open up your heart to Abba and be vulnerable with Him. We can look forward to the future and what is to come- because it’s so bright in Jesus Christ.