A few months ago I wrote a post called, Live Loved. The moment of revelation described in that post changed my life, but the moment wasn't the end. God spoke to me that day in March but it has been up to me to choose to live out of His revealed truth or to say it's too hard and continue on in what was so comfortable and easy. I know that the enemy of my soul wants to see me live all tangled up in lies about being pitied instead of the freedom given by the Truth of Jesus' love for me.
And....
I am determined to choose redemptive Truth as I come face to face with shadowy lies.
I am persistent in choosing to view my circumstances through His eternal perspective instead of seeing through my very limited viewpoint.
I am diligent in choosing to search for His goodness instead of simply taking things just as they are on the surface.
I am steadfast in choosing to count my blessings instead of being overwhelmed by the schemes of the enemy.
I choose to be grateful for each moment when I'm able to recognize His love and goodness instead of desperate in the moments of lonlieness and struggle.
I choose to be joyful in the restorative times shared with friends who have become family instead of hopeless for what has been stolen.
I choose to be passionate in standing with Him for the victory He promises instead of being weary when faced with the battle.
I choose to be resilient as I tell mountain after mountain after mountain to leave in Jesus' name instead of allowing the obstacles to steal my will to keep going forward.
I need to speak and write these declarations -often!- to remind my soul of the things that matter. I need others to hear and see these declarations so that we can remind each other. I need God to breathe these declarations into me -over and over and over again...- so that I can continue living loved.
In the day to day of life this means choosing to cherish moments, words, experiences that God gives to show me that He hears these declarations and the He is faithful to provide for the dreams He breathes into my soul...
God reminds me that He hears and will be faithful to fulfill in so many ways... It is my job (and yours) to choose to see His faithfulness and to even find it in the small things. During the past few months I've seen it in things like....
Gifts of peanut M&M's.
Subway rides in Singapore.
Those moments before loved ones leave and you say, "love you" to each other because it's normal that you matter to each other.
Those moments before loved ones leave and you say, "love you" to each other because it's normal that you matter to each other.
Shared flavored coffee creamer from America (the superior liquid kind, not powder!).
Lunch brought by a friend when a migraine shows up.
Brothers who drive a little slower when I'm on their moto.
Brothers who drive a little slower when I'm on their moto.
The sky when it's deep blue before nightfall.
Conversations in Khmer about the deep things of God and life.
Swimming in the afternoon on a day off.
Riding on a moto through rainy season floodwater to spend time with friends.
Phone calls and text messages just to say, "hey, thinking about you, how are you?".
Phone calls and text messages just to say, "hey, thinking about you, how are you?".
Being prayed for by ones who know me even when I don't have the strength or courage to pray for myself.
When someone says it's okay to eat with my hands.
Apple cinnamon bagels showing up at the grocery store in October.
Photos of sunsets sent to me by friends who know my heart.
Meals shared in my home and the homes of others.
Times when God speaks so clearly and personally...even when I'm in a room with thousands of other believers.
Skype conversations that are filled with laughter and hope.
Times when God speaks so clearly and personally...even when I'm in a room with thousands of other believers.
Skype conversations that are filled with laughter and hope.
When people say they feel at peace and safe in my house because His presence is surely there.
Little ones who shout my name and are excited I came.
People who aren't afraid to speak His truth even when it's hard for them to say and for me to hear.
Phone calls from sisters to share stories of victory.
So many more moments...
Some of His Reminders
Phone calls from sisters to share stories of victory.
So many more moments...
These are a few of the ways Jesus reminds me that the constant, determined, persistent, diligent, steadfast choices to live loved are seen by Him. He knows it's not easy in this world and He knows we have a choice and He delights in every moment when we choose His love. Choosing His love instead of the easy, comfortable opposition of old habits and mindsets is work but I promise the results are more than worth it.
What will you choose today? How have you seen His faithfulness?
