So I am in the process of redecorating my office at our church, and THIS is the very special wall art I brought in to hang on my walls. To some, it may seem like I just went to a Christian book store and “got some cool stuff.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Two weeks ago, Mike and I stopped into Lifeway Christian Store. Mike headed over to the Bible section while I wandered over to the home decor/coffee cups/T-shirt stuff. As I walked past the wall art I couldn’t believe my eyes! MY LIFE VERSE WAS THERE! Jeremiah 29:11! The very scripture God showed me in His precious Word right after I surrendered my life to him in federal prison 18 years ago! This scripture told me that although I had made a complete MESS of my life, facing 18 years to life in prison for drug smuggling, God STILL HAD A PLAN FOR ME…and it was GOOD!!! 😭♥️🙏🙌
Fast forward to the present…..
God kept His promise! He radically changed me from the inside out! By His grace and love and power, I have 2 college degrees, an amazing Christian husband, my son fully restored to my life, a beautiful daughter in law, a precious granddaughter, a home, clothes, a vehicle, food on my table, over 18 years clean & sober, and many cherished opportunities to speak and minister around the country, sharing the love and hope found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ!
I can honestly say that this amazing life has not come easy. I’ve had to press into God constantly because the truth is – life is hard! I’ve fought to overcome anxiety and fear in many situations over the years. And – here’s some more truth for you – I still DO! But this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called me heavenward! In spite of occasional fear and anxiety, I know I can REJOICE because my God is a CHAIN BREAKING PROMISE KEEPER! 🙌🙌🙌
So now to the second piece of wall art!
When God said He had plans for a HOPE AND A FUTURE for me, He MEANT IT! A little over a year ago, through a few God ordained moments & conversations, I became a youth pastor – and as of January 1st, an Associate Pastor (really, Lord?????) at our church. In addition, my opportunities for evangelism and speaking engagements increased. I keep pinching myself to see if I’m dreaming. Is this REALLY MY LIFE? And then the accusations and taunting of the enemy whispers, “you can’t do this” – “you’re nothing but an impostor” – “you’re going to be an epic failure!”
But I CONTINUE TO STAND on God’s promise that He gave me way back in that federal prison! I CONTINUE TO LOVE people and be an encourager. I CONTINUE TO WALK with Jesus, trusting that He will never leave me or forsake me. And as I walked around Lifeway the other day looking at wall art, reflecting on what God is doing, fighting off the enemy’s accusations…. God SPOKE TO ME through that piece of art on the wall and said, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created!” – Esther 4:14 ♥️ ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
WOW!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!!!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
It was there Mike found me – standing under that painting – with tears in my eyes!
My God, MY GOD!
He is SUCH A FAITHFUL FATHER!
Are you in a place today where you feel insecure or less than able to accomplish the task? You’re RIGHT WHERE GOD WANTS YOU! His strength is made perfect in your weakness! Does the mountain in front of you seem too high to climb? Are you in the middle of a mess? Or a battle? Are you overwhelmed by your present circumstances? Are you having to fight off the voice of the enemy that tells you that you’re a failure? That you’ll never succeed? That you’ll never overcome? That you’ll never make it through to the other side?
TAKE HEART!!!!!!!
God promises not to harm you! He promises to give you a hope and a future!
And, who knows?
PERHAPS THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR WHICH YOU WERE CREATED!!!!!