Have you ever wanted to write a letter to yourself?
My mother used to tell me that her favorite picture of me was taken one day on the front lawn, me in diapers, holding on to a little sapling tree and announcing to the world, “I’s Marsa-Tanny!”
I was bold. I was fearless. I knew who I was!
But, things changed. I changed. I became fearful. Unsure of myself. Slowly, bit by bit, year by year, that sure confidence I had as a small child began eroding away. The overcomer became lost, buried under years of emotional damage and debris.
I used to look at that picture and wonder, “Where did she go?”
It has taken me seven decades, but now (finally) I am becoming more like who I was always meant to be, created to be, knew originally who I was supposed to be, way back yonder in my beginning years.
Our real selves “waging worship”
How is it possible that it takes a lifetime to finally believe what I was certain of at eighteen months of age?
I still shake my head at times wondering at the grace that has brought me so far.
I think it happens to a lot of us. (If we’re honest.) The real “us” that we were created by God to be, gets buried under so much guff-N-stuff that we lose ourselves. Life happens, and in our growing up, we find out the world is a hostile place—and certainly no friend to children.
For some of us we’re fortunate, and it’s just the normal amount of heartaches and rejection with minimal amounts of bumps and bruises. But, for others it’s worse. Much worse. And our overcoming becomes a life and death struggle: Overcome, or be overcome.
YOU WERE BORN A WARRIOR
Whichever journey was yours, I am convinced no one becomes an Overcomer by chance. You choose it. You fight back every single time life comes to stomp you into the ground.
You become certain of one primary thing: When you were “born again” you were born a Kingdom Warrior.
(It’s written in The Book.)
God’s Word fiercely proclaims that you are worthy of love! You are deserving of respect! You are of infinite value to the God who created you, how then should we live?
What does the Word of God teach us?
The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have, and never will.
The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 The Message
And, by the grace of God this is what I finally learned.
You see, God has finally convinced me of how much I am loved by Him!
And, believing that?
I know, His truth can overcome anything!
~~~~~
From: Hearing His Whisper–ABOVE ALL ELSE
Did I not tell you? I AM not a man that I should lie! When I say it, it comes to pass.
(And, still, you are amazed?)
But, I thought you would know by now that nothing is too hard for your God?
(I confess, I do so enjoy making it look so easy.)
It always makes Me chuckle to see how easily man’s pride, and Satan’s schemes, come tumbling down!
My sweetest-heart, all this has been set in motion since your first faint cry. I know it has been a long and dusty road, full of sneering demons and the laughter of ungodliness.
(I know.)
Still, I was always there.
You know that now.
(You really know it.)
I will never leave you or forsake you. Nothing can separate you from Me and My love for you. Above all else… remember this!
My love is eternal.
My fidelity unwavering.
You have had to endure so many betrayals; so much abandonment. (It’s true.) But you have come closer and closer to Me in the process. Is this not bringing good out of evil?
And, you have come to see My love for you from new eyes of fresh perspective. Is this not also very, very good?
To hope one is loved is so inferior to knowing, really knowing, that one is!
To know that one will stay by your side come hell or high water, this can only be discovered through great adversities.
(Now we both know, don’t we?)
Well, I confess, I always knew.
“And Israel will learn that the LORD does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans…” 1 Samuel 17:47
Women With Destiny 