Saturday, April 19, 2008

Boast in the Lord

I am weak. God is strong. I experienced mountain top jubilation this past week. I stood on the precipice shouting out victory. Then in just a matter of moments, everything changed. Knocked off, I fell to the bottom. Shattered. Broken. Emptied.

I had no idea when I felt led to post about grace on Thursday morning, just how much I’d need by Thursday afternoon. Yes, His grace is sufficient. After going through a gamut of emotions, tears, fears, and anxieties, I assessed the situation. Like Angela at Becoming Me wrote on classifying bad news, this classifies as Major, but in my selfishness I saw it as cataclysmic.

I have been taking steps of faith, moving in a direction of desires that I believe are from the Lord. Everything was working and functioning so beautifully. Then brokenness hit me. I wondered if I was stepping out the wrong way, the wrong time or if this was an attempt of diversion by the enemy and/or a test from the Lord. There is something I feel so strong about and it has a deadline of Monday. Do I move toward it or do I quit?

After my soul settled with much prayer, I sought the Lord. I couldn’t hear Him myself, so I sought godly counsel. First, I sought counsel through my husband. He encouraged me to press on. Still uncertain, I sought godly counsel from one of my entrusted friend’s, one of my best confidants. She gave me words of wisdom from the Lord. Encouraged me and my spirit lightened. Still, I spoke with one more person. Like Gideon asking many times for confirmation, I asked one more time. The second friend who doesn’t know the first friend or what we spoke about, used the exact words and examples as my first friend. I was blown away. God spoke to me through these people within the same hour. I have heard clearly from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Amplified

9But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

10So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

I am weak. It is confirmed I have something the Lord wants me to do. I cannot operate in my strength. Only by the power of Christ who lives in me can I press on this weekend. I am in pieces, but He is my life. As Paul said, I shall take pleasure in this hardship and distress.

His grace is enough! For it is not me, but Christ that lives in me and in Christ shall I boast!!

9 gracious comments:

Darla said...

sweet Princess, when ever there are mountain top experiences, the enemy is always waiting for us to come down..rebuke him and remind him of his lake of fire, and move past him. You are at the perfect place to see the hand of God move on your behalf!!! I know it!! Ive been there and more times than I like to think, the enemy has laid me at HIS feet, God does not fail..so keep going...HE is going to continue to build you into something the enemy is scared of, or he wouldn't knock you down.. Love you and praying for you!!!!

Lori said...

Beautifully said. Praying for you.

annette said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
annette said...

Sweet Shonda, press on, my friend. He is never closer than in these times that shatter us. I have never been so certain of when I am close to doing exactly what God wants me, the enemy jumps up in my face in huge ways. Every time. Especially in my writing! Especially. You are being prayed for. He will be so pleased with you. Love Annette

connie said...

Shonda,
So thought provoking, Satin wants you to fail, but God has a plan stay close to him and he will be there, if this wasn't something God wanted you to do Satin would not be trying to get you to stop so bad... Be strong in the Fathers love... I'm praying for you...
Connie
GBU

Angela Nazworth said...

Oh Shonda. That was such a beautiful post even though my heart hurt for you as I read your words. The enemy certainly picks at us when we are wounded and bombards us when we are strong, but God's grace is sufficiant. It is enough to rejoice about even in the bleakest of circumstance. Even when our hearts are broken. Thank you for reminding me of that. (And thank you for referencing Becoming Me, that was so sweet of you. I am glad my writing has touched your heart. Yours certainly moves mine.)

marine's words said...

Amen! I agree with darla well said!
God has something great for you becasue you are so hunger for him and that means something keep looking at God and not what man can do God will open the doors not man.love,marina

Angela Baylis said...

Praying for you, Shonda! I love how we can be free to be ourselves on this blog! Thank you for your openness! Much love to you this evening!
Angie xoxo

connie said...

Shonda,
I emailed you, please let me know if you got it...
Connie
GBU