Tag: progress

Progress Is Rarely Linear

Progress Is Rarely Linear

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 3 Comments

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” – Romans 7:20-25 NIV

Walking with Jesus can be really hard at times. While there are a lot of awesome things that come with a relationship with God, namely eternal life, freedom from the world’s grasp, and confidence in God’s love and commitment to you in all seasons, the journey is not a walk in the park. To become more like Christ requires correction, discipline, and sacrifice. The process of sanctification can be humbling. If you don’t have the right perspective of discipline and correction, your feelings can get hurt pretty quickly. For me, with my history as a perfectionist who magnified all my flaws and faults, being confronted with my sin often felt devastating. It was easy to feel like a failure and a fraud. It was hard to shake the feeling that perhaps I wasn’t as devoted to the Lord as I thought. But as I read Paul’s words in Romans 7, I was comforted by his honesty. The sinful nature that arose in me wasn’t out of my disregard for God and His law. It was, and still is, the default nature of the body I live in. Paul reminded me that despite my body doing the most, I’m not beyond deliverance, healing, and freedom through Jesus Christ our Lord. True transformation, however, requires humility, surrender, and a true desire to change. It requires God having the first and final say about who we are and all we do. It also requires us, especially in moments where our flesh has the momentary victory, to meditate on God and His commitment to us. In my life, when my flesh appears to have the upper hand, God often reminds me that He is my Father, who knows me and cares for me deeply (Psalm 139:13-16). He reminds me that, no matter what comes my way, He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6). He reminds me of His faithfulness even when I’m faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). He reminds me that His grace and mercy are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He reminds me that His lovingkindness abounds (Psalm 86:5). He reminds me that He is long suffering (Psalm 78:38). He reminds me that He desires to rescue His children (2 Timothy 4:18). He reminds me that, through Him, I have victory against any attack or temptation from the enemy (1 John 5:4-5). He reminds me, most importantly, that I’m but a human (Psalm 103:14). Only dust. And though I will do great things for and with Him, there will be moments, often many, where I mess up or choose wrong. My humanity is not surprising to God nor is it disqualifying. He reminds me that, in Him, I will make progress in sanctification, in faith, and in power; but, that progress is rarely linear. We may fall at times but how we get back up and run to Christ makes all the difference. One of the best examples of this is King David’s fall with Bathsheba.

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, ‘I am pregnant.'” – 2 Samuel 11:1-5 NIV

King David. The man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The one who fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17:41-52). The one who was committed to obeying God despite his own will (1 Samuel 24:1-7). David is loved and honored by many in the Christian faith for living a devoted life to the Lord. He didn’t play with God or about God. And yet. At the time kings were supposed to go to war (where David most likely should have been), he was at home looking at a woman lustfully. Despite inquiring and finding out that Bathsheba was married, he called for her. Despite adultery being listed as a clear sin in God’s law (Exodus 20:14), David slept with her and got her pregnant. If you read on in the story, once David found out Bathsheba was pregnant, he called for her husband, Uriah, to come home. He attempted to hide his sin by getting Uriah to sleep with Bathsheba. Uriah, loyal to the king and his fellow army men, refused, ultimately foiling David’s plan. Frustrated, David sent Uriah back to war, ordered him to be put on the frontlines, and ensured his death (2 Samuel 11:6-27).

“The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, ‘There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.’ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.'” – 2 Samuel 12:1-14 NIV

If you read the end of 2 Samuel 11, you’ll find that there is no mention of David feeling bad or even convicted about the killing of Uriah. In fact, we only hear mention of Bathsheba’s mourning, which is no sooner followed by her becoming David’s new wife. 2 Samuel 12 begins with God sending a prophet, named Nathan, to confront David with his sin. At the realization of his grave sin and God’s perspective on it, David immediately sees himself and shows remorse. Nathan meets David’s remorse with reassurance. Nathan shares that David’s sin is already forgiven and removed by God. Despite this great mercy, David will still deal with some heavy consequences due to his disobedience and clear disrespect towards the Lord. Not only will the child Bathsheba bore to him die, but David, himself, will be plagued with violence and disruption in his own household (feel free to read the fulfillment of this prophecy in 2 Samuel 13 – 18).

Reading this more recently, I initially found David’s actions so bizarre. Like many, I felt like David was basically perfect. He was strong in his faith and truly loved God with his whole heart. While him committing adultery was problematic (obviously), his lack of remorse and almost obliviousness regarding his sin, prior to Nathan’s confrontation, really shocked me. I found his behavior so strange for someone who walked so closely with God. How could David love God the way he did and then do something so foolish? Moreover, how could he be so clueless about the extent of his actions? Though tempting to judge and find fault in David, especially when the behavior was so clearly wrong, I was quickly reminded by God that none of our walks with God are perfect. And because we are human, with a natural bent towards sin and selfishness, none of us are exempt from having a moment just like David. In fact, God humbled me when He reminded me that I, too, have been like David plenty of times in my journey with Him. No, I haven’t committed adultery. No, I haven’t committed murder. No, I didn’t skip out on war when I should have been out there. I have been, however, outside of God’s will, doing things I had no business doing. I have let temptations lead me astray. I have chosen pride and self-righteousness instead of humility and surrender when I wanted to feed my flesh. I have pushed God away to do my “own thing.” And like David, I, too, have been oblivious to how it upset or grieved God. While I was aware of my actions, as David clearly had to be, I thought it small or insignificant. I excused behavior because I was in a difficult season or needed relief. I thought it wasn’t that bad because God is gracious and would understand. Have you ever been there?

In God’s rebuke, we see David experience two things: mercy and discipline through consequences. We love mercy, don’t we? It’s such a blessing when God spares us from the bad things we deserve. But what about discipline? Do we thank God for the tough consequences we experience as a result of our actions? Though God spared David’s life, the consequences God laid out were thick. Loss of a child. Public shame. Familial disruption. Mess. Many of us view discipline in a negative light. We see it as punishment and God’s anger or frustration with us. Discipline can also make us feel bad. In our minds, discipline might signal failure and defeat. We may falsely believe that, because God disciplined us for something, we’ve now messed up too much and are no longer worthy of God’s love. But we’ve got discipline all wrong. God’s discipline is just another extension of His love for us. Though discipline may hurt, cause loss, or feel uncomfortable, the core of discipline is simply correction. Discipline tells us that the Father loves us too much to allow us to continue in unprofitable behavior. In David’s case, and ours too, consequences shine a light on our deep need for God and, if we let it, produce a renewed passion for progress.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” – Psalm 51:10-13 NIV

The heading to this famous psalm states that it was written by David after Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba. After facing God’s rebuke, David asked for a pure heart and a renewed steadfast spirit. It’s clear that somewhere along David’s journey with God, he lost sight of his passion and commitment, even temporarily. David asked the Lord to restore what was lost and to help him get back on track with God. In the next verse, David then stressed his desire to be with God and in His presence at all times. He didn’t want to be left to himself. He wanted to walk with, be led by, and be restored by the Lord. David’s humility and dependence in this verse are beautiful and worth emulating in our own walks with God. We can’t live this life successfully apart from Him. After admitting his deep need for God’s presence, David then asked to be restored in the knowledge of the joy of God’s salvation and to be granted a willing spirit to live life according to the ways of the Lord. This particular verse really struck me. This verse shows that sometimes, in all our Christian living, we can forget, lose sight of, or find common the joy of God’s salvation. We can minimize the significance of God’s pursuit of us, Jesus’s death to save us, and the Holy Spirit’s commitment to lead and transform us. It’s an imperative to me, and I hope to you as well, to not think God common or get too comfortable in what you think you know as a Christian. Daily reverence, gratitude, humility, and awareness of God, and of self, are needed. The final verse shows that David’s experience isn’t something he planned to keep to himself. He committed to sharing his faults and shortcomings to warn others. And not just warn others, but show them of their deep need for the Lord so that they, too, could turn back to the God who loves, sustains, forgives, heals, and redeems (even when consequences are included). David, after this encounter with the prophet Nathan, had a renewed desire for God and for His progression under the submission of God. Though he had a significant setback, David was able to get back up and continue forward. The same can be true for us.

I felt led to share this story about David because I know, firsthand, that this walk with the Lord gets rough and tough at times. Whether we cause it ourselves or life just happens to us, we’ll have moments, even with a genuine passion for the Lord, where we’ll mess up and do something we shouldn’t have done. While I’m not condoning willful sin or brushing it all under the rug of grace, I do want to encourage you that God’s love doesn’t fail because you do (Romans 8:38-39). As you continue on this journey with Christ, whether as a new believer or someone trying to pursue a higher level with God, take courage in knowing that God isn’t surprised by you or your actions. He offers help, guidance, correction, and conviction. Never forget that He disciplines the ones He loves (Hebrews 12:6-8). Better a rebuke and a learned lesson than to be left in sin and ignorance. I pray that you’d be ever aware and ever dependent on the Lord as you walk this walk. I pray that you’d run to Him quickly when faced with temptation, difficulty, or exasperation. I pray that you’d remember that He doesn’t want your perfection and performance, but your presence and passion. I pray that you would finish strong. I pray that you’d cling to Him, trusting that He’ll take care of you like He promised. So go and pursue all that the Lord has set for you. Seek holiness. Seek righteousness. Seek justice. Seek Him.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically ❤️.

P.S. This concludes the holiness series. Thank you so much for reading and sharing. 🙏🏾💕

 

Even In the Unknown

Even In the Unknown

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

How do you respond when God asks you to do something? Are you someone who meets His commands with quick obedience or are you someone who can confidently tell Him no? If I’m honest, for the vast majority of my walk with Christ, I was “no” leaning. On a good day, I met God’s commands with hesitancy and contemplation. On a regular day, I met His commands with a litany of reasons why I couldn’t do what He asked. While I knew, intellectually, that God was wise and that His instructions were profitable and protective, I didn’t actually believe it in my heart. I filtered every request and command from God through my feelings first. If I felt that the command was too hard for me to do in my own strength, my list of excuses to back out was ready. If I didn’t feel safe or sure, I didn’t move forward. In fact, it was only when I felt qualified enough to do something, had enough external encouragement from others, or clearly saw how an instruction could benefit me, that I obeyed. It really wasn’t obedience at all.

As we talked about last week, fear and self-perception can also be idols. When it came to walking in obedience, I often failed because I let the idol of my feelings have the final say. And while this went on for years (we thank God for His mercy, grace, and long-suffering), something shifted in me, within this last year, that caused me to no longer feel justified in my disobedience. As I got more familiar and more intentional with the Word of God, my idol suddenly came under attack. Could I still hide behind those fears and excuses when I now knew God was greater than any obstacle or opponent I faced? Could I still deny the Lord when I now truly knew how deeply He loves me? Could I still practice self-preservation when I now knew that only God could actually keep me safe? While I’m sure you already know the answer to these questions, I want to spend some time talking about how I got (and am still getting) there. I want to share more about the conviction I felt, the concerns I had, and the God who lovingly understood. I want to encourage and hopefully empower you on this walk of obedience because I know, firsthand, that it’s not always easy.

“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” – Luke 22:42-44 NIV

Jesus is our ultimate example of living an obedient and submitted life. From putting on flesh to show us the way of His Father (Philippians 2:5-7) to sacrificing His body for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5), we constantly see Jesus operate from obedience. Of all the moments that showcase Jesus’s obedience and surrender, the moment that has always affected me most is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Deep in prayer and full of anguish, we see Jesus, awaiting the gruesome death planned for Him, plead with His Father for another way to bring forth salvation to His people. We see the Father express, even without words, that there is no other way. The crucifixion is the cup Jesus must drink. We see Jesus submit even though the outcome is not what He would have preferred. And from that moment forward, we never see Jesus ask the Father again. He is wholly obedient until His last breath.

When I reflect on this, I’m filled with immense gratitude. Jesus’s obedience literally saved my life. He put aside His fears, His will, and His comfort to ensure that all of us had a way to be made right with the Father. With us in mind, He gave up His life to ensure we could have one. There are no words to articulate how beautiful Jesus’s moment of obedience truly was. And yet, Jesus’s submission is also deeply convicting. God has never asked me to do what Jesus did. No matter how scary a command of God might have felt or how frustrating it was when asked to give up something I loved, I have never had to lay down my life for the entire world. God has never put the weight of all our sins on my back to carry. Though we are called to take up our cross (Matthew 16:24), I have not had to do so while also being whipped, mocked, and tortured like Jesus was. His sacrifice was beyond compare yet, for us, He agreed. If Jesus could follow through on something so great, so terrifying, and so consequential, why was I stuck on obedience at such a small level? I soon realized that Jesus was operating from a fundamental truth that would take some time for me to understand and wholeheartedly believe.

“If God is holy, then He can’t sin. If God can’t sin, then He can’t sin against you. If He can’t sin against you, shouldn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being there is?” – Jackie Hill Perry

Being, Himself, one with the Father, Jesus knew the character of His Father very well (John 10:30). He knew that His Father was righteous, just, and full of love. He knew His Father delighted in Him and would reward Him for all He had done while on earth. Jesus was rooted in the goodness of His Father despite all the difficulty He had to deal with. Unlike Jesus, with a background of performance, shame, and lacking biblical foundation, I wasn’t always super confident in God. Though the Bible may have had stories that shared His faithfulness, I didn’t always believe they were applicable to me. I wasn’t certain that God was truly safe or trustworthy. I wasn’t convinced that His instruction or command would lead to something positive. I operated in a lot of fear and self-reliance when it came to the Lord because I feared that God wouldn’t come through. I was afraid of trying and failing and reaping harsh consequences. I was afraid of experiencing His anger, disappointment, or even disgust. Unlike Jesus, I didn’t have joy set before me (Hebrews 12:2). I didn’t see how my obedience could be beneficial to others. I only focused on myself. I couldn’t see anything beyond hypothetical failure, mounting fear, and my inadequacies.

For a variety of reasons, ranging from original sin to difficult life circumstances, there appears to be a natural human bent towards not trusting God. Many of us, if not all, experience moments where we’re just not sure if God is as good as He says or if He’ll actually do what He promises. Sometimes we’re not sure if obedience is worth it. We’re not always sure if God, Himself, is worth it. The above quote, however, forces us to really consider the God who calls us to obedience. This quote highlights the fundamental truth that I believe Jesus knew to be true when He prayed in that garden: God is holy. As we recall, God calls us to be holy because He is holy (Leviticus 20:26). And if He’s holy, we must then know, and come to believe, that God’s holiness makes Him perfect. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to sin. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to lie. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to act deceitfully or with malice towards His own. This God, our God, holy and pure, is the One who requires our obedience. It is this God, our God, who calls us to do something beyond our natural ability because it’s an opportunity to see His hand and love, through the Holy Spirit, at work. It is this God, our God, who calls us to lay down that sin or idol because it’s an opportunity to find true fulfillment, joy, and healing in His presence. It is this God, our God, that calls for forgiveness because it’s an opportunity for freedom and healing. It is this God, our God.

When I think about Jesus submitting to His Father and accepting the cup of death, I see that He clearly knew all would be right in the end. Though Jesus would have to deal with hard and horrible circumstances that we can’t even begin to fully understand or grasp, He knew victory from sin and death was right around the corner. He knew that the restored relationship between Creator and creation was right around the corner. He knew that His status as King, sitting at the right hand of the Father, was right around the corner. And while that’s wonderful for Jesus, many of us, myself included, don’t always have that same assurance right away. When God tells us to put ourselves out there, we often don’t know how others will receive us. When God tells us to give up something that brought us joy and happiness, we often don’t know whether God can really fill that void. When God calls us to bear our cross, we often don’t know whether we’ll be able to stand under the weight. And, in truth, those feelings of uncertainty are the absolute worst. Obedience can be really difficult, scary, and uncomfortable. I do not want to minimize or ignore that. And I don’t believe God wants to disregard that either. He knows that we are flesh. He knows all about the weaknesses, fears, concerns, and wounds that make us question Him (Psalm 139: 1-16). He’s not going to beat you up for that. He operates in patience and bestows wisdom, encouragement, and power to help you through it. I’m a witness. But, it’s on us to want to believe He is who He says He is. If we desire to know Him more fully, He will be made known to us (Luke 11:9-13).

For all that’s unknown, there’s one thing we know for sure–we belong to Him. And if we belong to Him, He will take care of us (Isaiah 46:4). He will be faithful to keep us and present us as faultless (Jude 1:24-25). He will be present with us no matter the circumstance (Joshua 1:9). So, with every call for obedience, I encourage you to think on these things. Think on His holiness. Think on His inability to sin against you. Think on His role and responsibility as your Father. Think on His promise to be with you wherever you go. Even in the midst of fear, discomfort, and difficulty, we can still trust our lives and our surrender to the God who is holy, pure, good, and committed to us. Give Him your yes…even in the unknown. He will take care of you.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically ❤️

Trust God With Everything

Trust God With Everything

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 1 Comment

“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.'” – Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us, whether we’ve grown up in the Christian faith or not, have heard of the Ten Commandments. Of the ten, the commandment related to idolatry always stood out to me because it felt very “Bible days” specific. It didn’t feel relevant to me. I had no crafted image in my home nor was I laid prostrate on the floor praying to some golden image at an altar. I was chilling. I went to church. I confessed Jesus. I couldn’t have idols in my life. And like me, I’d venture to say many of you probably feel the same. That feeling, however, is often deceitful. Idolatry is still present in many of our lives because it doesn’t look how we expect it to. While we expect some crafted image, idols can often be the family we have, the material things we love, and the feelings we possess. Many of us, me included, unfortunately operate in idolatry often. We put our various affections above God, be it our relationships, finances, or even fears/self-perceptions, and let it have the final say. Our yielding and obedience, then, follow the way of the idol. If not confronted by God, in His mercy, to address and remove the idol, we risk living lives less than God’s standard. We risk limiting or even completely missing the power, victory, and freedom that God ultimately wants to give us.

“Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.” – Isaiah 45:20b NIV

For me, idolatry started pretty early. Growing up, a certain celebrity (if you know you know lol) was my idol. I knew everything about her. I studied every move. I spent my money (or my parents’ money) on things she was a part of. I looked to her as the ideal of beauty and success. Whatever she said was Bible as far as I was concerned. As an adolescent, I didn’t really understand or see the severity of the issue. Being a big fan was fun. It was exciting. It was fulfilling and fruitful. It made me happy. It produced, in my mind, good things. When I got to college however, I felt my first bout of conviction. In God’s mercy, He made me question this idol’s role in my life. Why did I need this person to feel happy or excited about life? Why did I critique myself because I didn’t look like her or have her talent? Why did I know everything about her but didn’t know much about myself? Why could I spend all my time engulfed in her world but couldn’t give myself, let alone God, that same effort? The red flags multiplied to a point that I realized I needed to back away. But with over ten years wrapped up in that idol, during that time, the transition was not smooth. I went back and forth for a long time. I grieved. Despite the instruction not to, I still found myself listening to and watching that idol’s work. I was sad. It felt unfair. The process of tearing down the idol was messy, but I eventually got there. And though letting go of that particular idol was successful, it wasn’t long before I picked up another one.

The cycle of dropping and picking up idols has followed me up until present day. It was just three weeks ago that God confronted me about another celebrity I admired. And within this past year, more generally, God has highlighted social media distraction as another preferred idol of mine. For me, it’s not necessarily that these celebrities are bad or that wanting to scroll on social media is inherently sinful; rather, it speaks to the larger issue that God wanted to address: escapism. In my life, I’ve used idols to run away from myself. I’ve gotten engulfed in other people’s worlds because I wasn’t content in my own. It was easier to root for the success of my “faves” than it was to do the hard work to find my own success and satisfaction. God made clear to me that I chose to busy myself in other things or with other people because I didn’t trust Him to handle me or help me through my struggles with discontentment. I felt more comfortable running away than sitting with Him. I was looking to those idols to save me from myself, and it wasn’t working. And while I recognize that many of you aren’t dealing with celebrity fandom or mindless scrolling as your idols of choice, the issue still affects many of us. What are the things you consume yourself with because they make you feel good, give you power or worth, or even provide the comfort your heart really needs? Have any of those things taken the place of God in your life? Do you think God is even able to meet those needs for you? Do you even want Him to? Honesty is key here. I had to be honest and admit that I didn’t think God could fix the problems I had. I had to be honest and say that I loved spending time with those idols more than I did spending time with Him. God’s confrontation was an invitation to see myself and my need for Him. God’s confrontation provided an opportunity for God to show me who He is and who He has always been.

“The holiest people are people that just trust God with everything.”1 – Jackie Hill Perry

Since committing to reading the entire Bible in a year, which I started this January, God has intentionally highlighted His trustworthiness to me. At the same time, He’s pinpointed the areas where I lack belief and trust in Him despite the Bible I know. Last year, I wrote about fighting the devil’s facts with God’s truth. I’ve realized that it’s not just about fighting against what the devil has said about me, but it’s also what he’s said about God. As discussed in my last post, I’ve battled with performance and perfectionism since what feels like the beginning of time. It was from these places that I crafted my view of God. Like parents, like teachers, and like friends, I believed that God was pleased when all was well and annoyed or disappointed when I fell short. Why would God want to deal with me? How could He even help me? I felt beyond repair, beyond love. The sadness was high, the shame was high. Of course it seemed better to go somewhere else and trust something else. But as I read through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and onward, one theme was consistent — God’s goodness. The Israelites failed and God stayed committed to them. The Israelites turned away from God and God called them back home. The Israelites sinned and God provided atonement. The Israelites lost hope and God comforted them. As I saw these examples reinforced over and over again, something shifted. If I could identify with the ratchetness of the Israelites, then I could receive the love, help, and comfort that God gave them too. If God met their needs and fulfilled His promises to them, then I could believe He’d do it for me too. If the Israelites trusted God with their lives (even if they struggled along the way), so could I (struggle and all). 

Idolatry is such an important topic to me because it really has the power to destroy you if you let it. With its seemingly harmless nature, it easily slides into your life, your thinking, and your heart. It allures you with quick fixes, power, acceptance, love, and comfort. It tells you that it’s safe and worthy of your trust. It plants seeds of doubt towards God. It causes you to think the ways of the world aren’t really that bad. It causes you to falsely assume that you know and can handle it all. And even if you can’t, it tells you that God can’t do a better job. It’s a liar and a fraud. Unfortunately, I was deceived for years. I gave my youth to an idol that didn’t actually help me. I left her more broken and lost than when I found her. I’ve given so much of my time to the idol of distraction with nothing to show for it. Though idolatry might have affected me in ways that you may not relate to, at the core, no matter what your idols may be, idolatry gives you a false and unfulfilling substitute for God. That bank account you set your focus on can be wiped out with a few emergencies. That relationship you chase can’t heal the heart wounds you’re running away from. That job you give all your energy to can still fire you at the drop of a hat. Those kids you pour your entire being into will one day grow up and move out of the house. The idol can’t love you, sustain you, free you, care for you, or save you. Only God can do that.

The process of completely removing idols has been difficult for me. Idols have always felt comforting and numbing for me. They also often work a lot quicker than God seems to (though their “benefits” are short lived). Believe me when I tell you that I understand your hesitancy to drop that “thing” for God. In the thick of hardship and pain, the last thing you want to do is pray to God and wonder if He hears you or even cares. The last thing you want to do is stop entertaining that person that makes you escape from the depression you’re in, if only for a few moments. The last thing you want to do is give up that leadership position or that status at your organization when it was the thing that made you feel purposeful and worth something in this life. I understand. And yet, I really want to challenge you to try God out. I want to challenge you to run to Him first. In moments of temptation, sadness, or cries for comfort, I want you to talk to God first. Let out your frustration to Him before you vent to a friend or binge that TV series to escape your reality. I challenge you to find a Bible passage to read for a few minutes to focus your mind on something higher. I challenge you to give God a chance. I want you to leave space for Him to answer you, show you that He can handle your situation, and reaffirm how deep His love is for you. And maybe it won’t “work” the first time. There have been plenty of times I’ve gone to God, didn’t feel anything after, and watched hours of YouTube instead to numb my emotions. I get it. But I implore you to keep seeking Him. Continue to be open and expectant. Find scripture about what God did or promised and call Him out on it. Ask to experience the fulfillment of His Word in your life. He will show you. He will reveal Himself. He will bring that comfort and support. He will give peace even if the situation you’re in doesn’t change all at once. He will do what He said. I know this because the Word says He doesn’t lie nor does His Word return to Him void (Numbers 23:19). I know this because He’s done it for me.

My final ask is that you’ll watch the video I’ve linked below from Jackie Hill Perry on this topic. I encourage you to take inventory of the idols in your life, get to the heart of the issue, find scripture that addresses those deep needs, and go to God with His Word. I pray that you’ll give Him a chance to show Himself strong in this area of your life. I pray that you’ll be gracious with yourself in this process. It’s hard out here but you’re not alone. I’m here with you, and most importantly, God is here with you. He’ll never leave nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

1 https://youtu.be/3jk_WwdZhO0?si=NwE2PRkK9C4D_BDK

I Am Well Pleased

I Am Well Pleased

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve battled with self-acceptance for as long as I can remember.  Since a child, I remember always having a problem with myself. I remember being ridiculed for being too chubby and too soft (not tough or strong). For being too shy. For being too studious and serious. As an adult, though I received less outward criticism, I mastered the art of criticizing myself. I wasn’t attractive enough. I wasn’t cool or interesting enough. I wasn’t assertive enough. I wasn’t confident enough in my decision making. And on and on it went. From childhood to present day, I felt like there was always some issue or problem that needed to be fixed. I wasn’t liked enough as is. I wasn’t chosen as is. I wasn’t happy as is. I wasn’t good enough as is.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:27,31 NIV

In Genesis 1, on the sixth day, God created man. Man was, and still is, made in the image of God. Like God, man is creative, capable of giving and receiving love, holds authority and dominion, and brings forth life. Man was created just a little lower than the angels and held up as valuable in the Lord’s eyes (Hebrews 2:7-8). God’s own breath was breathed into the nostrils of man, and he became a living being. Before man ever displayed the characteristics of God or completed work for the Lord, on that sixth day, God called man good.

To be called good by God is the foundation of acceptance. God fashioned Adam and didn’t feel the need to give the man any alterations. Nothing was wrong with his body or his personality. Nothing was wrong with his intelligence or his relationship with God. He was perfect. In fact, not once in Genesis 1 or 2 do we see Adam have issue with himself. He was in communion with God and content with the work set before him. He never questioned himself, or God, and never seemed to show displeasure with himself or his circumstances. It wasn’t until God made mention that Adam needed a helper that anything being “not good” ever surfaced (Genesis 2:18). And even then, Adam was not made aware of it. The addition of Eve, in Genesis 2, had nothing to do with a flaw in Adam. Eve entered the garden, with perfect crafting, to enhance the purpose and power of man on the earth. She aided in the fulfillment of those characteristics God gave us. Her introduction only reaffirmed the truth: man was good. It was from that foundation of acceptance that both Adam and Eve could live at their greatest potential. They were perfect for each other and perfect for God. They were content and they had rest. It was holiness.

Unlike Adam and Eve, I wasn’t rooted in God’s acceptance of me. I didn’t grow up aware of or even seeking God’s perspective. Faced with internal and external criticism, I dealt with my self-acceptance issues through performance and people pleasing. Not knowing God declared me good, I looked to everyone else to accept and affirm me. My confidence and sense of wholeness was based entirely around someone else’s opinion of me. As a result, I often shape shifted to please other people’s preferences or stressed myself out to perform at my very best level. I took on likes and interests that I probably, on my own, would not have taken on. I tried to fit a certain look to be cool or capture attention that I might not have gravitated to otherwise. I stressed so hard over my academics because it was there that I got the most applause and celebration. I worked for acceptance instead of working from acceptance. I fought to be what everyone wanted and ended up still missing the mark. I tired myself out and had nothing to show for it. I wasn’t content. I wasn’t at rest. I still wasn’t good enough.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'” – Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like Adam, Jesus operated from the foundation of the Father’s acceptance. Though God Himself, Jesus humbled Himself and took on lowly flesh to dwell among us. Having flesh like us, it’s possible that Jesus could have had the temptation to look elsewhere for validation and approval. But before Jesus ever performed one miracle or announced that He was the Messiah, His Father let everyone know that Jesus brought Him immense pleasure. Operating from this foundation of acceptance, Jesus was never swayed by public opinion or ridicule. Many times, in the Gospels, we see Jesus unphased by the opinions of the world. He had no problem confronting the Pharisees about their hypocrisy, without fear of their rebuke or punishment (Matthew 23:13-39). He let lies about His character roll off His shoulders because He knew exactly who He was (Matthew 11:18-19). He had no problem teaching and affirming God’s way, instead of the way of the flesh, even when it wasn’t popular or easily digestible by His followers (Matthew 18:21-35). Even as He was nailed to the cross, He still knew His place as Son (Luke 23:35-46).

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like Adam and Jesus, we, too, have been deeply affirmed by the Father. Before we even accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, God loved us and made a way to restore relationship with Him through the death of Jesus (John 3:16-17). To be an image bearer, which we all are, is enough for His love. But when we accept Christ, we become children of God. As children, not only are we loved, but we are adopted and chosen as His own. With adoption comes right standing with God. With adoption comes eternal life. With adoption comes inheritance of victory, power, and eternal reward. This is the foundation of acceptance and love we have to stand on. It is from this foundation that we must learn to fight back against criticism (self-inflicted or otherwise) and poor self-esteem. While it is easy to see our flaws and feel unworthy of love, God has already made His position towards us clear. When the devil tells you how bad you are, you can hold up your status as a child of God. When people criticize your looks, personality, or gifts, you can counter with the truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-18).

A few months ago, I listened to a sermon by Pastor Stephanie Ike-Okafor (highly recommend!) on the call to holiness. She shared many gems, but there was one in particular that stood out to me — “Holiness is wholeness.” She described wholeness as full dependence on God. Our worth, satisfaction, pleasure, and will belong to and are rooted in God. Self-acceptance in light of God’s deep pleasure in us, then, is holiness. And while that sounds great, and it IS great, if you’re anything like me, with the history that I have, the work of self-acceptance can feel almost impossible. To see yourself as valuable to God when you’ve not been told that in the natural feels unrealistic. To love yourself, knowing all the flaws and faults you genuinely possess, sounds ridiculous. And yet, for all that we are, God called us good. He meets our warped self-image, our very real issues, and unhealed trauma with grace, mercy, empathy, forgiveness, love, and acceptance. And sure, there might be some reconstruction that has to take place. Perhaps you do need to take better care of your temple or work on that attitude you have, but, in God’s eyes, still, you are good.

If you at all battle with this, I implore you to pray intentionally for God’s help. Ask Him to help you to accept His unconditional love. Ask Him to give you the strength to fight back, with His Word and truth, against condemnation and shame. Ask Him to help you see yourself and love yourself the way He does. Ask Him to bring godly community into your life to encourage you and speak life over you. Ask Him to help you find a therapist to process your trauma with, if needed. Ask Him to help you believe Him when your flesh wants to write Him off. Ask Him. Loving ourselves, because God first loved us, is crucial to us living a life marked by holiness. It provides the foundation from which we jump out and shine our light into this world. Today’s world so desperately needs our light. We can’t afford to have minds tainted with the lies of culture (Ephesians 4:23-24). We can’t afford to sit in poor self-esteem when people need to see God’s glory through the good things God called us to do (1 Peter 2:12). We can’t afford to submit to man’s limitations for us when God has things in mind that we can’t even fathom (Ephesians 3:20-21). It’s important, then, that we stay committed to the process of self-acceptance, no matter how many ups and downs we experience along the way. The more we reflect on what God has said about us, the stronger the resolve to believe it will be. We are loved, valued, and worthy in God. God, quite literally, can’t love us more than He already does. It is from that foundation that we must show up in this world. Go forth boldly.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

Authentically Holy

Authentically Holy

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

I’ve recently entered a season with God where He’s calling me higher. There was once a time when I could easily default to excuses or brush off conviction; that time has since passed. No longer can I stay comfortable with choosing comfort. God is requiring real effort and commitment. He’s calling me to make deliberate decisions of surrender. He’s challenging me to face myself and the strongholds I’ve let rule my life. He’s bringing forth a new thing. A better thing. A true thing. A holy thing. 

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” – Leviticus 20:26 NASB

A few months ago, one of my dearest friends (hey twin!) and I started talking about holiness. It felt like the topic was everywhere. From sermons preached at church to YouTube videos from our favorite Bible teachers, the term kept coming up. At the same time, I started reading through the Old Testament and saw holiness discussed in what felt like every chapter of the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. The shedding of idols. The obedience to laws for food, sacrifice, and offerings. Circumcision. Observing special days and festivals. God wanted the Israelites to be set apart from the surrounding nations. He wanted them to match His standard. He wanted them protected from the world and its deceit. He wanted them to represent Him. He wanted holiness.

If you know anything about the Israelites’ story in the Old Testament (and if you don’t, here’s a crash course!), you know they were hardheaded. Stiffnecked, as God called them (Exodus 32:9). Though some stayed the course and remained devout and committed to God, the vast majority followed their flesh and allowed it to lead them right back into the mess that God delivered them from. Though the Israelites had great moments of faith, obedience, and reverence for God, they often struggled in their day-to-day behaviors. Despite seeing the power and magnificence of God in their lives, from the parting of the Red Sea to winning wars against nations larger and stronger than them, God often got pushed aside. He got replaced, in their hearts, with the world. With other gods/physical idols. With success. With power. With money. With sex. With pride. Those idols (whether physical or not) were exactly what God warned them against. He told them to flee from and even kill those who enticed them towards idolatry. He knew the world would turn the Israelites upside down, causing them to be distracted and deceived by things that were ultimately unprofitable for their lives. He wanted them to live free and be blessed in the land He would give them. He wanted them to be holy (Deuteronomy 13). And it is the same today. With us. With me. It’s time that I grab hold of the goodness and true freedom God has for me. To see the growth, power, and confidence in Christ that He promised me. I can’t afford to be bogged down with things that are less than God’s best. I hope you feel the same.

So, this blog is the start of what I hope to be a short series on holiness. My desire for this series is to let honesty and vulnerability lead. I hope to be as transparent as possible about this lifestyle of holiness and the ways in which I’m succeeding and struggling at it. I want to be (and encourage you to be) authentic. This series isn’t about us being on our best behavior or impressing God with our purity. It’s about trusting God to be our Lord and believing that He has the best for us. It’s about God leading us in the continual discovery of self and authentically living out who He has made us to be. This series is about the assurance that we can do all things, even the hard things, through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). I hope you’ll join me on this journey.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

Who Do You Look Like?

Who Do You Look Like?

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Think back to your high school years. Do you remember when everyone wanted to be a part of the popular crew? Many, maybe even you, changed their fashion style, taste in music, or even moral convictions in hope of being deemed worthy of befriending. Fortunately, once many of us left school, the power of blending in lost its strength and we committed to being our true selves. Though some have remained uniquely themselves, it seems as though many of us have fallen back into the toxic trait of conformity over the years. What on earth happened to us? Why do we crave, so badly, to be like the majority? Why do we hate the confrontation or isolation that being different can bring? Why is the sacrifice of morals and faith a common casualty in this battle? Why aren’t we glad to be set apart?

“And so those whom God set apart, He called; and those He called, He put right with Himself, and He shared His glory with them.” – Romans 8:30

When I think about being set apart, this verse immediately pops into my head. It’s simple, isn’t it? Those who have been set apart are the ones called by God to do His will. They are the ones justified by grace and deemed righteous. They are the ones thrilled to have their lives point back to Him. Despite how beautiful this promise from God sounds, many of us push it away easily. It saddens me deeply, to be honest, to see how much we blend in. We put glory on the back burner for quick thrills. We disregard reverence of God for the sake of not offending people. We placate unbelievers with half truths in hopes of maintaining the peace. I too am guilty of this. We never want to look like the bad guy. We never want to cause pain to someone. We never want to be disrespectful. As a Christian, we shouldn’t want to be those things. In the same way Jesus operated out of love and respect towards others, so should we. The question, however, still remains. If we all follow the ways of the world, how can the distinct beauty and truth of God be shown through us?

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16

Showing the distinctive beauty and truth of God goes much deeper than simply not participating in acts such as premarital sex and getting drunk. It goes beyond checking off some “good Christian” checklist.  The glory of God is shown most often through our love and self-discipline, even in the simple things. In a culture of lying, do you attempt the stay truthful and walk in integrity? In a culture of “doing me,” do you choose to submit your will to God’s? In a culture of spilling the tea, do you walk away from gossip or even discourage others from doing it? In a culture of “God forgives but I don’t,” do you take the initiative to forgive someone simply because you know how often God forgives you? It’s crucial, especially in a time where God is deemed unnecessary at best and nonexistent at worst, that we stop hiding the glory displayed through us. If we blend in, there’s nothing about us that draws someone to Him. If people don’t see the help, power, and purpose of God shown through us, then what’s the point of even doing this Christian walk?

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

This post, simply, is a call to action. It is time for all of us, myself included, to be more intentional about pointing back to Him. The allure of the world can easily draw us in because it speaks to our flesh. As flawed people, all we want is for our flesh to be satisfied. God’s love, however, is greater than our fleshly desires. The deep love He has for us, to the point of fighting for our salvation (John 3:16), is not something we should be taking lightly. In the same way that God fought for our love, He is fighting for those who still don’t see His value. We, as His children, need to be living and breathing examples of that value. We need to be willing to share how God saved us. We need to be brave enough to break from the trend and honor God. It isn’t about following a rule book and not having fun. It’s about reverence and gratitude. Its about submitting the power of your flesh to the righteousness of God. Let your life showcase His power. Let His truth speak louder than the world’s voice. Let the beauty of God shine through you. Be proud of the victor God called you to be. There are countless lives depending on it, whether they realize it or not.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

 

Stay lit, twenty somethings 💕

Estoy Aprendiendo

Estoy Aprendiendo

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Estoy aprendiendo Spanish.

I am learning Spanish. Though still a new journey, it has already proven itself to be incredibly exciting and frustratingly difficult. Though I desired to learn in order to one day become bilingual, God, as always, added His own purpose and lessons for my journey as well. I wanted to share some of these lessons in order to make you more aware of God’s voice, even in the mundane things. I hope my experiences push you to tackle strongholds, maximize opportunities, and find comfort in His presence.

Estoy aprendiendo that my gifts aren’t meant to be neglected, no matter how disqualified I feel.

In Spanish, I have a difficult time rolling Rs.  Arroz. Perro. It’s too much! No matter how hard I try, my attempts are often met with correction. As a result, there were times when I simply wanted to give up and accept my gringo defeat. Despite that, however, I kept trying and failing, determined to pronounce the words correctly. Though still not a pro, I definitely have improved, by way of continual practice. It is in this practice that God revealed His first lesson: there is provision where God is. It’s true, both in Spanish and in the various dreams I have for my life, that I’m not a native speaker. I may not have the degree. I may not have the connections. I may not have the finances. I may not even have a complete handle on the skill yet. It doesn’t matter, however, because as long as I continue to put in the work, growth and improvement will inevitably come. It is in this intentional practice that I seek God for help and direction as I would a Spanish speaking friend for help with my pronunciation. I don’t have every skill on my own but God always provides and makes room so that His will gets done. Seek God, don’t neglect the gifts He gave you, and He will honor you like you’ve honored Him.

Estoy aprendiendo that a scared voice is better than no voice at all.

When I first started learning Spanish, the idea of speaking out loud terrified me. Though I knew that I wanted to prioritize conversation, I was afraid. I was afraid that my pronunciation would be horrible. I was afraid that mid-sentence, I’d completely blank and not remember any vocabulary I learned. I was afraid of failing. Though the fear was strong, I knew that I had to be bold enough to open my mouth in order to progress. I decided to tell my Spanish speaking friends and family that I was learning, in hopes that they could help. I found a Spanish conversation group at my local library to get more practice. Though simple to others, I was proud of myself for making the effort. The more I opened my mouth in these spaces, slowly but surely, my understanding, vocabulary, and speaking improved. I was reminded, in this, that our voice for God works the same way. It is often scary for us, as Christians, to speak up on behalf of Christ or break away from the world’s standards. We tend not to like being uncomfortable. We are often fearful of how we will be perceived. God reminded me that impact is made, even if we’re scared while doing it. When I open my mouth, for Spanish, dialogue is exchanged, things are explained, and community is built. Opening your mouth for God, in whatever way that means for you, has the same effect. It is better to make the attempt than to not try at all. You never know who you’re affecting. You never know who could affect you.

Estoy aprendiendo that everything is not translatable.

There are certain phrases in Spanish that make no sense to me. Though I ask friends for explanations, I’m not always guaranteed an easy and clear answer. They are often quick to remind me that not everything in Spanish mirrors English sentence construction. There are instances where certain words or phrases are to simply be accepted as they are. Though frustrating, if I want to be proficient, I need to simply fall in line and let the Spanish language lead me. Doesn’t God work in a similar fashion? We all have plans and ideas of how things should go. We pray and fast and assume that God will green light anything we do. When He doesn’t, we are often left upset, confused, and feeling deceived. Just as in Spanish, not everything God does or doesn’t do in a certain season is translatable. God could make a promise that requires us to step out in faith and our desired end doesn’t automatically materialize. Is God, then, a liar? Is He not to be trusted? I challenge you to think about whether your plans and expectations are in line with His? I’m confident that many of you will realize that it isn’t God who is unfair, but rather our own refusal to submit to His will and His timing that leaves us unsatisfied. It is only when we adjust our focus and way of thinking that we begin to see the growth and results God intended for us. Despite my confusion, I’m comforted, in Spanish, by knowing that these concepts and rules have been applied in practice and are valid, as evidenced by the millions of people who speak the language everyday. I simply have to adapt. Similarly, it is important that you are comforted in God’s track record. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts.* His intentions, thankfully, are always pure.** He doesn’t want to hurt me and He doesn’t want to hurt you. Get in alignment and master the language!

Keep learning, twentysomethings.

* Isaiah 55:8-9

** Jeremiah 29:11

Success Through the Storm

Success Through the Storm

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

BE GRATEFUL.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

“Say thank you” is a phrase we’ve heard since childhood. Though gratitude should be ingrained in our psyche and apart of everything we do, oftentimes, it is the first thing that jumps ship during a trial. The storms of life can often produce stress and strain so intense that we’re too preoccupied with staying afloat to even consider our blessings. No matter the severity of the storm, it has the potential to throw us completely off track, if we allow it to overtake us. How then do we stay strong and keep focused? How do we cope when we’re fed up, stressed out, and worn down? I challenge you to look up long enough to say thank you to the One keeping you above water. Your gut reaction may be to roll your eyes or sigh in frustration. You may question if you’re even above water or rather drowning deeper into despair. Looking up, however, quickly determines your placement. Coming to Him with thanksgiving, even over the many small blessings we take for granted, reinforces the truth that you really aren’t alone. Your gratitude points to God’s hand in your life, especially when it feels like everything is falling apart. God promised that He wouldn’t leave or forsake you.* When you begin to tell Him thank you, you realize that the promise is true. You may be fighting for your life, peace, and purpose, but you definitely aren’t fighting by yourself. Spend some time saying thank You and allow yourself to be comforted by His presence.

STAY FAITHFUL.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Faithfulness, mastered beautifully by Christ, is often a struggle for many of us. Jesus remained faithful to the will for His life, even in the midst of persecution, rejection, and death. How can we emulate Jesus in this way? The answer is in our tenacity. During the most difficult parts of your storm, it is easy to succumb to the hopelessness of it. You may push away from the persecution and dissatisfaction in hopes of finding peace elsewhere. What if the breakthrough, however, is in planting your feet into the ground and holding on for dear life? God rewards those who hold on. Staying planted, even when difficult, is what builds the determination and focus necessary in preparing you for what God has next. Faithfulness not only prepares, it refines. Character is refined in faithfulness because there is no choice but to cling to God when everything in you wants to run. The clinging produces dependence. Dependence produces expectation. Expectation produces strength. Strength produces greater faith. No longer is it you fighting to stay alive but rather God working, through you, to put the storm under your feet. It all starts with simply sticking with God, no matter what y’all go through together. The reward is coming. Keep those heels dug in.

YOU’RE OKAY.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Luke 12:22-26

Believing you’re okay, even when life tells you different, has been the hardest truth to grasp, personally. It sounds cute, simplistic, carefree, and even kind. I’ve found, however, that this truth is extremely deep. So deep, in fact, that it can only be accepted as fact once you’ve harnessed the power of gratitude and faithfulness. Life’s storms have a way of making you feel like it’s the end of the world. No matter how many trials God has brought you through, each new one still feels like a major crisis (at least for me!). You feel like you can’t do this anymore. You want to quit. You want to cry. You’re tired and restless. You’re confused and misunderstood. Everything is in shambles yet God continues to whisper “you’re okay”. How is it even possible to believe Him? Jesus made it plain and simple when He told us not to worry about our life. You’re okay because God calls you valuable. If you are valuable to Him, He promises to meet every need. Your value is shown in your gratitude, reminding you that God has never left your side. Your value is shown in your faithfulness, seeing God’s sustaining power hold you steady even during the heavy winds. If God says everything is fine, trust that simplicity. He’s handling the hard stuff. All you need to do is hold onto His hand and His word. You’re okay.

Be grateful. Stay faithful. You’re okay.

This has been my anchor for months now, as God has held me through many of life’s storms and transitions. I pray that you will take some time to meditate on these words and find your strength to keep fighting. God’s got it. God understands. God is taking care of you. Don’t let your hope go. The storms can’t defeat you.

Keep holding on, twentysomethings!

 

* Deuteronomy 31:6

 

Grace to Grow

Grace to Grow

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As we enter into 2019, full of hopes, aspirations, and plans, remember that our success has less to do with our personal effort and more to do with our alignment with God’s will. We often joke about those failed New Year’s resolutions to go to the gym or finally pursue a business venture, but at some point, we must tighten up and reach the goals ahead of us. Goals that push us closer to God and into the fullness of our purpose should be of utmost importance. From personal experience as well as hearing the testimonies of others, the main obstacles to taking those steps forward tend to be pride in our abilities or the magnification of our sin, causing those debilitating feelings of unworthiness. In both of these cases, God has a way of making the wrong right, if we’re willing to let Him lead. There’s probably no better example of this than Saul, later renamed Paul, a murderer turned apostle, and the writer of some of your favorite scriptures in the Bible.

Saul, for those who may not know, was a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus as our Savior. Saul led the orders to kill men and women who called on the name of Jesus and taught others about the healing powers of the Lord. On his way to Damascus, with the mission of arresting even more believers, Jesus stopped him in his tracks and confronted Saul about why he continued to persecute His Church (the believers). Telling Saul to continue onto Damascus, Saul got up only to find that he was blind. It was in Damascus that Jesus would perform the miracle that would forever turn Saul, the murderer and persecutor, into Paul, the apostle, the teacher, and the writer of the majority of the Bible. Jesus used Ananias, a disciple, to be the hands of this miracle.

““Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.””- Acts‬ ‭9:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When Jesus came to Ananias in a vision to tell him to meet Saul in Damascus and remove the blindness from his eyes, Ananias responded like most of us would. We often cannot see what God does and as a result, we focus on the faults in front of us, rather than the potential for growth that God graces us for. While Ananias knew Saul’s history of violence and hate for the followers of Christ, he humbled himself and took the step to be obedient and meet Saul for the miracle that would take place.

“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” – Acts‬ ‭9:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As beautiful as it is to see Ananias display not only obedience but also faith in the Word of God, it still doesn’t touch the beauty that was the Lord’s perspective of Saul. Despite his history, the same background that initially concerned Ananias to the point of questioning God’s command, Jesus saw Saul as a mighty man who would be perfect to preach to the Gentiles and show them the saving grace of God. This moment highlights the way God sees us. Even in our faults, our sins, and our hurts, we can still be used for God’s glory. It isn’t that we are perfect or need to be before God comes to us, but rather it’s about us recognizing that God has given us grace to grow up and get back in line. Will we accept the grace and make the change?

“Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” – Acts‬ ‭9:19-22‬ ‭NIV

As Saul demonstrates, once he humbled himself and let God lead his life, God was able to not only change Saul’s life around for the better but completely use his abilities, that were once for evil, to now be an example and proof for others that Jesus is Lord. Similarly, the same talent, ability, and personality that you possess can still be used to make you great for the Lord as well as be an example for those whose lives are attached to you. It is in your testimony, in your walk, and in your character that others will come to believe in the power and love of God (Matthew 5:16).

Moving forward, I pray that you all don’t count yourself out and settle for less than God’s best for you. When things get hard or you feel like you’re unworthy, remember that God can and will use anyone who is willing. I urge you to stay available and allow God’s grace to do its work in you. As you continue to grow and seek out His path for your life, remember to also reach out your hand and extended your grace to others, in obedience to God. It doesn’t matter if others seem unworthy or “bad”, continue to be a light and encourage others so that God can do His perfect work in them too. We all need to be our best this 2019!

floweroncross

Let’s reach a new level together, twenty somethings ❤️

Who You Looking At?

Who You Looking At?

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’m not sure when we all began to believe that our twenties would bring about some sort of perfection, but unfortunately, a lot of us are still on the struggle bus. If you’re on social media, I’m sure you’ve seen the constant tweets, captions, and rants about our apparent failures: no marriage, no house, our student loan debt, and the jobs we take to meet needs but not passions, to name a few. While we’re good at making jokes about it or even blaming the baby boomers who came before us, there is this sense of failure or inadequacy that we all tend to feel, at least at one point of time in our twenty-something journey. This belief challenges our power, our confidence, and our self-esteem. It’s no surprise then that when we want to make big moves, we find ourselves stuck and unable to move forward.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’” – Exodus 4:10-12 NIV

In my last post, I spoke about the paralyzing effects of fear and how inadequacy plays into it. I wanted to dig a little deeper into inadequacy this time because, at least for me, it haunts me even more than the fear of failure or disapproval. Despite the possibility of failing, I may still make an attempt at something simply because I believe I can do it. If I feel inadequate, however, I won’t even try because from the beginning, I don’t believe I have the tools or skills necessary to succeed. If I don’t try, I will inevitably become stagnant. My stagnation, as a result, will lead to my purpose not being fulfilled. That’s the real problem!

A few weeks ago I came across this story of Moses with fresh eyes. If you don’t know, Moses was called by God to rescue the Israelites from the oppressive rule of Pharaoh and take them to the Promised Land. When God called him for this task, Moses immediately began to coward away. Though a believer, someone who revered God, when it was time to test God’s promises in his own life, there was a sense of hesitancy. Moses, quick with the comeback, thought it smart to inform God about his stuttering issues, as if, by chance, God wasn’t aware. Doesn’t this sound like us? We say we are believers. We know the scriptures. We are moved by the testimonies of others. Despite this, when the light shines on us, suddenly those things don’t apply. We are suddenly so different. Our struggle isn’t like their struggle. We aren’t faithful like they are. We push the call away immediately, not even wanting to waste God’s time. We aren’t fit. We can’t do it.

The beauty of this scripture is in God’s response. I can envision God rolling His eyes at Moses’ rebuttal. “Do you know who I am?! Do you know what I can do? What I’ve already done?! I’m not worried about how you speak, son!” In fact, God responds almost exactly in that way. He reminds Moses of who He is. The power He has. The foresight He possesses. Then like a loving father, He brings comfort, letting Moses know that He will be with him and will give him the words to speak. If only it were that simple for us. Why can’t we believe God’s word for what it is?

“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?’ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country.’” – Exodus 6:30, 7:1-2 NIV

Like Moses, who still had the same tired excuses chapters later, no matter what God promises us or tells us, we can’t trust Him because we’re busy focusing on us. We want control. We want assurance in our own capabilities. We want to only have wins in our records. Because we don’t see what God sees, we refuse to move forward. God called Moses to be like God to Pharaoh, full of power and authority. He called Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be a prophet on Moses’ behalf, already considering Moses’ stuttering. God already had the plan ready to go. If Moses never humbled himself and submitted (thank God!), he would have missed the opportunity to let God use him for something mighty. Will we let our own flaws and shortcomings stop us from doing the great things God planned for us?

This is just a reminder that God is fully aware of your humanity. We will never be perfect. We will always have feelings of fear, of inadequacy, and failure. If God isn’t concerned about it, or better yet, can use it for His glory, we need to humble ourselves and simply say yes. Our job is to be obedient and to trust our source. If God is calling us to do something we can’t do, that’s more of a reason to go for it. God, clearly, has a plan for the victory. If it is for God, He won’t leave you. Trust Him and watch Him use you in ways you wouldn’t believe.

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:10

Stop looking at yourself and start looking up! Even if you can’t do it, in your own strength, He’s got it. Chill out and get to work, twenty somethings!