Transparent Faith II

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

This second post come months after the first one, which I did not intend. But I now see God had many other things for me to go through. This has turned out to be a longer journey through the desert than I could have ever expected, but oh the needs that have been met!

The first Transparent Faith post was back in October, shortly after the death of my uncle and the miraculous way God took us to Tampa and back. It was an immediate need that was met immediately. This go round, the need was immediate but also a longer process. This time it was about losing provision, shelter and even comfort and an old way of life. But I knew... I know that He loves me. I never got that before. I never understood why when I was suffering, people would come in droves saying "God loves you; He wants you to know that." I get it now. 

This process with the eviction was prolonged because I fought it and He allowed it knowing that I was scared. I was scared of change, of the unknown and even what people would think (those who know me know that is so not me). This by far, was one of the two worst things my family of four had been through. But I knew that I knew that I knew that He had us. I cried, I pleaded, I begged, I even denied that it was happening for a while, but there was a stillness, a peace in me that knew that it would and that He had us. 

We are now in the second phase of this current "homeless" journey even though we have a roof (staying with my mom), have all the necessities that most don't when they become homeless. I have no idea where this will take us but I know Who will take us through us. Even as I finish this blog up three months after this happened, the song Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin is playing on my worship playlist. That is no accident. Neither is any of this. I know that we have one more year here in Omaha and I need to get busy with my assignment here! I know that we will be moving soon, I believe to Ralston (a nearby neighborhood). I know that with the provision that is "dripping" out on us, when it finally pours from His window in heaven, it will be an incredible downpour for all!!

My point of this second part is to say simply hold on. In the midst of the chaos going on around you, your bills, your hurts, your pain, your sickness, your disappointments, your heartbreaks, your transgressions and trials..... hold on to His unchanging hand and He will not lead you astray. He never said we would not go through things, in fact in John 16:33 Jesus tells us we WILL. But even in what we are going through, His promise to never leave or forsake us is still there. Hold on to that, and in the days that you can't seem to grasp it or keep hold to it (I have had those days quite frequently) then hold Him to His word. Remind Him of His promises, yell, scream, and cry, whatever but get in His face. I guarantee and double dog dare you at the same time knowing that you will not leave the same!

Stay tuned for part III of this journey because He is not finished with me or you yet!!

Indeed I'm free!

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

These past two weeks have been a drought for me in energy, motivation, drive, writing and even financially. After I write this one, I will be finally starting the miniseries I was supposed to. 

As I drove from dropping my oldest two off to work (we have a vehicle situation.... we have none), I began to be drawn to the road signs telling exits and which was taking me where. I came to what seemed a crossroads in my short "to home" journey but it seemed to be much bigger, much heavier than that. I saw in front of me two signs. One said "to downtown" and the other said "to Lincoln" which I had just been the night before. As I drove towards the one that led me downtown, I seemed to have been released into a new freedom, one like never before. One that seemed to release me and allow me to go anywhere. I can't explain it other than to say I am free. There was an instant lifting off of my chest that I had not known or had forgotten was there before. By merely merging left, I seemed to have crossed into a spiritual gate that had been opened for me and I now was free.

God predestined plans for us are coming into fruition. I find myself changing up my language from "God is doing something" or "God is up to something" or "God is shifting something" to saying what He has ordained, what He has planned, and the path He has prepared for us we are now coming to. I believe that is what is happening all throughout the world with His people. We are realizing and/ or already have realized that we are free, indeed. This is coming through training that is necessary. Let me explain what I mean.

I spoke with my sister yesterday who explained to me all that she is going through. I heard from a friend last week the struggles that she is enduring. I am reading about all those who are Facebook friends the struggles they have to contend with. And then there is me.... Evicted, broke, no car, no job or prospect right now, bills piling up, I'm not even able to do school right now because I didn't heed a warning to drop the two classes I was to take last summer. It would take a miracle to get my family on our feet. Yet, we are free. Doesn't that sound crazy?! At this point, I am free from worry. I mean I could, but why? What does that do, how does that help my situation? Through all of this training, I have been able to let some things go and take up some crucial learning that I needed. This is a season of basic training for some and officer training for others. I believe the passage says "to whom much is given, much is required".....

When I looked for this passage which seemed to come just as I was crossing the very sign, the epitome of this freedom, I saw every version had virtually the same thing except NLT. It reads "you are free indeed" while the others say "shall be" or "will be". When I researched, I saw that there was no variable difference, just the wording. Then I turned to the words "free" and there is where the difference stood. The text for "makes you free" in the original means to set at liberty, to make free and "free" in the sense of us being "free indeed" means basically that we are no longer a slave. So literally what I heard is when Jesus gives us freedom, NO ONE can take it!!! We are indeed free!!!

Do not let the trappings of this world make you a prisoner again. If God has planned for something to be taken in your life, give it freely knowing He has something better in mind.... even if that something is the knowledge that He is all you need!! And do not let the enemy lie to you and tell you that you are the only one going through something right now.... 1 Peter 5:9 tells us to resist him (the devil), stand firm in our faith with the knowledge that our family in Christ all over the world are going through similar struggles (my version). Don't believe me? Pick up a newspaper, drive down the street and look at the homeless, miserable, and broken, go to a hospital and view the sick, go into a bank and watch who goes in confidant and comes out defeated.... Go through your training knowing that you are free indeed!!!