10-3-21 God-fidence
Quote: “Due to personal reasons, I will be shining brightly and unapologetically for the foreseeable future.”
This quote soooo screams my life’s battle cry!
When you have lived your life trying to be someone you’re not, the freedom that comes from just being you is so freeing and liberating and beautiful. It is the realization that you are not everyone’s cup of tea… and that’s okay!
I want to point us to a verse right away that pulls on my heartstrings every time I read it. It will help us understand why there is freedom in shining your faith light brightly. Paul is talking to the people of Rome, where he had been a missionary. He says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Let’s unpack this.
First, the evil in this present day world is everywhere. News stories pop up of people who have snapped and done unthinkable things pop. Satan plants lies in our minds that we are not good enough. Images of what we feel “the perfect life” should look like will cloud our emotions. There is no avoiding it. We have to figure out a way to still live here amongst the evil but not let it affect us. We have to constantly be renewing our mind with positive and uplifting conversations, songs, movies, tv shows, and news feeds. It’s the only way we can transform the evil that is so desperately trying to invade our precious thoughts. We cannot give in or conform. We need to be in the world but not of the world.
Second, we need to be on the look out for the plans that God has for us. Sometimes it is so obvious which way to turn. Other times we beg for a confirmation from above. To know what his will is for us means being in constant communication with him. Plus knowing his voice will make it easy for us to discern what is a good path and what is not. But he isn’t just a genie in a bottle that we go to just when we need something. That’s not how God works. That’s luck. There is no luck with God. We should go to him when it’s good and when it’s bad. We thank him and praise him and ask of him. It’s a combination of all 3. He wants to get to know all of you, not just your wants and desires. He’s a gentleman. He loves to bless us and he has great plans for us. We just have to talk to him and get to know him so that we 100% know what his plans for us are.
And third, once we are in constant communication with him, he will make it known when our life journey is a “good and acceptable and perfect” route. It will fit like a glove. Once I discovered what my purpose was on this planet, everything felt and looked different. Things that used to bother me no longer did. I forgive easier now. I’m offended less. I turn to God first rather than my friends or husband. I seek help and advice as soon as I notice anxiety creeping up in my mind. I look to Scripture first for answers. I’m a completely different person than I was a decade ago. I consider people’s opinions but I don’t use them as my barometer for my decisions. I sleep well knowing I am a daughter of the king and if I die tonight, I know where I’m spending eternity.
I have learned that me shining brightly will turn some away and that’s okay. I’m not apologizing for that light because that light is Jesus. It’s not me at all but him shining through my pores. My future is bright and I give him all the glory for helping him be the “me” he created me to be.
It’s living life with God-fidence.
