You're anchored in God, not your feelings

Hi ladies the other day I encountered something freeing and wanted to share with all of you. 

As I was completing my morning routine I looked in the mirror and didn't feel pretty. My hair wasn't quite working with me, and I just felt kind of blah. Which isn't a good feeling. This "blah" feeling can marinate and sink down into the crevices of my entire day, ruining it before it begins. That "blah" feeling shook me, and I was not looking forward to the remainder of the morning let alone day. But something rushed to me in that moment of weakness, and I knew it was God. He reassured me, telling me that although I didn't feel pretty at the moment the feeling could not destroy the fact that I am beautiful. That fleeting feeling couldn't tear down the truth that was set forth even before I was born. Which explains that I am made in His image (Genesis 1:27). What is more beautiful than that? Its solid, lasting, and truthful, unlike the lies the enemy tries to convince us to believe. 

The enemy is conniving and will try everything within his might to get us distracted, turn a beautiful day into what feels like a death sentence, and leave us feeling empty. However no matter what "feeling" the enemy tries to throw on us know that we are anchored in the Lord.  Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing can tear us away. He cannot strip away our beauty, our worth, or our heart, because all these things are found in Christ as are we. And we know that no one can destroy Christ, death doesn't even stand a chance. This doesn't mean that he will not try and attack in an attempt to thwart the plan of God. So we must be ready. Ephesians 6: 11 teaches us that we must, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil". So know that there will be attacks and at times we will feel as though the enemy is stealing every precious thing from within us, but despite the feeling we can stand firm and "in all circumstances take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil on" (Ephesians 6:24). I encourage you sisters to talk back and fight those feelings with the word of God ( which is the sword of the Spirit- Ephesians 6:17), refute what the devil is trying to place in you. Spend time in the Word so when the attacks come you will be ready. 

So ladies when the devil tries to attack you with false words look past them and see God, see His truth, and His word. It's easy to give into the enemy and believe the lies-trust I know- but fight through it. The devil wants so much for us to be passive, but this Christian life is not that. I've learned this past week that we must be intentional in our walk with Christ, if we want to have a relationship with God we have to work at it. If we want to rise up over the devil we must attack Him with the Word, just like our Savior did. Don't let your feelings sway you and lead you down the wrong path, rise above them and be led by God instead. The feelings might not go away as quickly as you would like, but know that each time you speak the word and call upon the name of Jesus it will have to erode. 

 Let us live beyond those feelings even if it hurts to do so

Move, Go, Do

So here I am; another day where I don’t physically feel like writing, but I feel something urging me to start. Not a pressing urgency but an ever so slight nudge that makes me decide in spite of my feelings. Decide, and then wait for my feelings to catch up. It’s uncomfortable yielding to the spirit when my flesh has always gotten its way. However, if I don’t start to obey God in the small promptings how will I obey or even hear when he calls me to step out on faith.

Unlike the other day, there is nothing pouring out of me…

I do have many thoughts swarming around in my head. Thoughts about being bold for Christ and sharing his word with other believers, the awesome message that was preached today- that explained we must look at our suffering through the lens of the gospel-, and going deeper in my faith and exploring the truth that is laid before me.

 I have been praying to God about most of these thoughts.  Praying that he would take me deeper, for me to step out and be bold for Him. To share the gospel with those who are far away from Him, and to present His raw truth to the world, especially to young women. Something that I read today in a blog helped me to see everything that God lays on my heart to do will not simply be set in my hands.

I want so much to share Christ’s love with young women, and let them know that within the love will be a satisfaction so filling they will not want to chase after the world, their flesh, or guys. Like I mentioned before, God will not simply place the “Promised Land” in my hands, I will have to journey towards it just as the Israelites did.

God proposed a question to me today. He asked, “When the opportunity comes will I be prepared?” Prepared to share scriptures, open myself and expose my scars to reveal that God heals, and have an open heart and ear to those begging to release their pain. Although I am progressing towards that mark, and will never fully ‘arrive’ until I am one with my Savior, I have much work to do. I seemed to think that if I had a burning desire (a desire that aligned with God’s desire) that He would simply give it to me with no work involved. Crazy I know.  I don’t want God to give me what I desire and not be prepared. It would be like sitting down in front of a plate of food and not having the tools to get it from the plate to my mouth.

In order for the desire to produce fruit I need to match that desire with willingness. A willingness to search and know the scriptures even when that desire is no longer there, and when I feel like sinking down into a disposition of complacency. A willingness that leads me to cry out on behalf of others to the Lord. A willingness that nudges me to spend time with God so I will know His truth for myself. Then take that willingness and do: Pray, Read, Study, and Share the Word. I must actively do each and every day God puts air in my body. Not simply for my sake, but for the young women of this world. The young women who need a word of encouragement, a sister who is not afraid to share the gospel with them, and a seed planted or watered. This is what I am here for, and if I wait for God move without any action on my behalf then I will never get there.

I know that God is answering my prayers, but in a way that I never imagined. He is saying, “Here you are Chanale; the path is set before you. You may know not know every turn, or how long each season will be, but that’s ok. All I want you to do is walk MY path. I have given you what you desired, it’s all here even if you don’t physically see; trust me. “ I have been praying and wondering why the Lord hasn’t answered my prayers, but He has. I just have to walk it out. It may not look exactly how I envisioned, but it will be just right for me. It may not be easy, but it won’t be anything that I cannot bear.

We must walk the path that God has set before us, and develop spiritually so we will produce good fruit. Let us move, go, and then do on behalf of the Lord. Let us fly closer today ladies! 

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, [a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3: 12-14, NLT)

When you cant see what’s ahead…

SideNote: Its funny that I titled this article, ‘When you cant see what’s ahead…’ because I didn’t really see what was ahead in terms of this article (isn’t that so fitting). I had it in my mind that I was going to write about a particular topic: trusting God when you can’t see the routes in between your start and your finish. But when I started to write it got hard…real fast, like there was literally a roadblock preventing me from going into that direction. So I gave up and continued my previous writing flow. God just wanted me to write… so I did, and this is what came out.

I don’t feel like writing, but something is whispering ever so quietly to open up my computer and type. So after trying to compromise by reading, and opening up my journal, I obeyed.

So here I am, and to tell you the truth I feel kind of yucky. I feel as my work day wasn’t as it should have been; it was one of those unproductive feeling days. Where I was running around touching this and touching that, but never completing one thing. I didn’t really get to check anything off of my to-do list…I don’t like having those days, days where things are left unfinished. Its like trying to smooth my fro into a ponytail and there are a million frizzy pieces sticking out everywhere: annoying. I like for things to be neat and organized, and I like to think I’m that way (at least in my head).  I like to be able to work through one project before moving to the next, and not have two or more on my plate while there are others on deck. However that’s not how things work, I would never finish what is assigned for me to finish if I worked the way I wanted. Projects would begin to back up and deadlines would push me against the back wall. Talk about stressful. So I have to move out of my comfort zone, out of what has become second nature. I have to step into a place where I will be challenged, tested, and stripped of my impurities. This is scary for me; it doesn’t feel good to be corrected, to hear the truth, or to be stretched. To put myself out there in a vulnerable state, where I will make mistakes, where I wont always hear good job, and possibly could be rejected. I like to play it safe, so that I wont have to deal with those unwanted feelings.

This is the same way I am with my faith to a certain degree. I like to play it safe, because it doesn’t feel good to be rejected, to be put in the spotlight where people can clearly see my imperfections, and where people wont always say “good job” for following Christ. I’ve been asking the Lord to help me step out of this, and to be bold for him.  And through this writing I can understand that I must just do it (I keep thinking that there will be one opportune time where it will be like ta-daaaa). I will not be able to accomplish the work that God has put within me if I don’t step out of my comfort zone, out of what has become second-nature. I can’t do what I have always done if I want to grow closer, go deeper, and truly live for him. Just as I have to stop doing things so that I can close the gap, I must start doing things as well. I have to step into a place where I will be challenged, tested, and stripped of my impurities. Yes its scary, it’s downright terrifying, but if God has called me to it He will help me through it.  I need it though, I need to step out; I’ve reached capacity in my comfort zone and its time to step out on faith.

If I wanted to be promoted I would have to capitalize on opportunities where I could lead, I would have to step up and take the steps to become a leader. This won’t happen if I continue to simply follow and expect people to lead me around everywhere. Yes there will be risks if I step out, but the reward will be far greater. I have to do the same with my faith in order to grow; God wants me to be mature. The author of Hebrews mentions that in order to have spiritual growth we must eat solid food. We must go from milk to solids, babies to the mature.  Hebrews 5:14 explains that, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” I have to train; I have to allow God to build my inner strength and to keep moving when my flesh feels its time to stop. Which means I have to dig deeper and move past my emotions, and obey the promptings of the Lord even when I feel like I will be laughed at.

Hebrews 6:3 “And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”

Thoughts on singleness

Recently (late last night/early this morning) my mind has been revolving around being single. Amongst a myriad of thoughts and numerous words composed to God I have come to some conclusions: I don't want my life to revolve around being single. I don't want to live life and be known as a single, but as a daughter of Christ who longs and craves more of her father. 

Im not saying that I don't want to be married, or that I don't need to understand why I am single, BUT I don't want this word to define me or to control me. I want to live on fire for God, and not be trapped in the "single box" like its some disease or illness. I look at this world and see a ferocious cyclone that seeks to consume me and throw me into the repetitious cycle: enter this world, go to school, date, go to college, date, get a job, date, get married, have children, retire, die. Where singleness is a time where you should be out researching the next guy to date and out of your entire life should only be a small aspect. I desire something different; I want to attack this world at a different angle, where I am pursuing Christ and can be comfortable with just Him. I want my foundation and core to consist of nothing but Christ. I admit that as I write these word that I begin to think will this mean that I will never be married??? I do desire to enter into a relationship and then marry a man that pushes me closer to Christ and where I do the same for him; however, I don't want them to come before Christ. I also want God's will to be done in my life, so I am trusting that He will lead me in the right direction. 

There are blogs that dig deeper into what I am expressing and are a good read. Take the time to read them and explore how you view being single. (The list is not in any type of order).

1. "The Idol of 'I Do."-Lauren DeMoss

2. Stop waiting. Start Living - Lauren DeMoss.

3. The reason my heart is divided- Fabs Harford

Spread your wings sisters and fly a little closer to God today, give Him your entire life and let Him use it. Give Him your dreams and deepest desires and watch Him work. 

During Those Silent Times...

During this season in my life I feel so far from God; I've been yearning to hear His voice. I desire for Him to speak to me, to direct and guide me. I don't sense Him near me, and honestly its scary at times. However during this season of my life I am becoming increasingly sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I am acknowledging that God is present in every area of my life. Its not easy, but it will prove to be beneficial in the future...

Its comforting when I know that God is right by my side when He is speaking to me daily. Its like when your learning to ride a bike for the first time. You get on the bike without training wheels, and your mom, dad, sister, brother or whoever is teaching you has their hands on the bike and they are right there with you. You feel secure; whatever happens you know that you will be ok. You sense them near you; they're so close you can feel their presence. But then they let go, and you look back and realize that they aren't holding on anymore. What happens...you get scared and the bike gets a little wobbly. In the beginning of my relationship with God He felt so close. He would speak and it was like being at a surprise birthday party each time....simply amazing. As I grew, I believe God began to take the training wheels off, and began to take His hands of of my "bike". When my parents took their hands off they did not leave and say, "Well I'm through training you, I'm gone." They stayed near, watching. They were close enough to where if I needed them they were right by my side. Our father does the same. In certain seasons God becomes silent or His voice isn't as loud as it use to be. It might feel like He has left you, like He doesn't love you anymore, or doesn't believe in you. This is not the case at all; the fact is you're growing...you're maturing. He wants your faith to grow, and to take you to another level. Just think if you never took your training wheels off your bike, and always had to have someone running behind you with their hands on the bike. You would never grow, you would never get to the point where you could step out on faith. You would only trust if someone was right there with you. God wants you to do great things with your life, and you won't be able to experience great heights if you don't have unshakable faith. Praise Him! Know during these silent times God is maturing you, helping you to grow. He never leaves you, because He always lives within you. Romans 8:11 "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ form the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you" Yes its scary to not hear from your creator, your father, or your husband (Isaiah 54:5), but know that God is right there by your side. This is a time to grow closer and deeper, so that you will be able to hone in on His whisper.

God doesn't always shout out everything on a mountaintop, at times He whispers. This is a hard concept for me to understand at times. I want God to tell me my purpose, what direction I should take with my life, and pour into me everything that I want to know. But He doesn't, and its aggravating and frustrating. Although He doesn't tell me what I want to hear, He is still speaking. I can become so focused on hearing what I want to hear that I block out His whispers. I ignore when He tells me to do something simple as getting up earlier so I will be on time, or getting gas before I get on the highway. But then get disappointed because I don't think He is speaking to me. God doesn't only speak profound things to you, He speaks to you on a daily basis. I was at the point where I thought I could handle those certain aspects of my life on my on. However, if I don't listen to God when He tells me simple things how can He trust that I will listen when He tells me my purpose, or when its time to turn right or left. So during those silent times make sure that you draw closer to God, pour into Him. I admit that during silent times its easy to become complacent. However, in order for us to go higher and not quench his voice we have to push and keep striving. We have to pray, journal, spend time in His Word, even if we don't think it won't do any good. Although it may feel a certain way, God is still working and moving. We can't afford to give up or separate ourselves from the Holy Spirit; silent times are an opportunity to cling tighter so we wont miss Him!

Trust that God hears you. He knows your yearnings and your desires. But, are you listening to Him when He whispers? Luke 11:28 "Jesus replied, But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice"

Redirected

Good Afternoon lovelies! I had a true humbling experience this morning and wanted to share with all of you.

As I got ready for church this morning I was fully expecting to hear a word from God, my Father. I had not physically been to church for the last two weeks due to family vacation and beach trips, so I was eager to praise and worship Him with other believers. God surely gave me what I needed but in a way that I was not expecting.

It was my second time visiting Elevation Church, so I was clueless as to what might take place at this morning as I filed into the auditorium. I was seated on the first row, I believe God really wanted me to receive what He was about to share with me, right in front of the action. I prayed before worship began; I started doing this some months ago to ask the Holy Spirit to enter. I noticed that if I didn't I would become resistant or distracted and wouldn't receive the Word that was being shared. Sometimes I would forget to do this, but Im glad I didn't this Sunday. God knew that I would not have been able receive the message and let it do its work on my own.

Worship began and as I followed the words on the screen I could feel God's presence...simply an amazing experience each time I worship Him in song, its totally new and refreshing each time. When the worship began to come to end and the lead pastor Steven Furtick came on the screen to explain Love Week ("An opportunity to unify and inspire the Charlotte area with a spirit of compassion, unity, selflessness, and service. With the goal to impact the city by serving throughout the community during a weeklong outreach initiative, putting words into action, and demonstrating the love of God for the people in our city"), my mind began transitioning to being fed. Being fed something that could help me on my journey and get me through this upcoming week. But as he began explaining Love week, and then explained that he would be preaching next week and we would be watching a documentary I began to get upset. To be honest I was getting mad, in my mind I complained that I could watch a documentary at home; I came to church to hear a word to help ME. Thankfully the Holy Spirit calmed me down (trust me, it wasn't me. I could have stayed mad the whole service). I wasn't excited about looking at the documentary, but I had an openness just to see what it was about.

As tears flowed from my eyes, I knew that God was working in me and I was being redirected. The documentary highlighted the many different areas that the donations and gifts from Elevation touched. From the streets of Africa to across the states in our backyard. Giving is something that must take place, but in my mind it was done after "church". I didnt think that we needed to watch a documentary during church, how was it going to feed me. However, God placed in my heart that 1. Church extended beyond four walls and 2. Church is not solely about coming to receive what you want to hear from God or how to get it your blessing. I had come to church Sunday after Sunday with the intent to see what God could do for me and how I could change to better position myself. Not how I could position myself to help others, or be a blessing to others. Church is not a place to simply get but to give; its an opportunity to let your purpose be revealed in the most powerful way. I am the Church, you are the church. In Ephesians 6:24 it explains that Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. We are that her that Christ sacrificed His life for.

God redirected me, He allowed me to see that it is not all about me. In fact, it isnt about me, its about Him. Yes we should go to church to be revived, loved on, and cleansed. However, these should not be the only reasons. Jesus states clearly in Mark 1: 17 that if we are followers of Him we will also become fisher of men. We will "Go out into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."(Mark 16:15). We shouldn't hoard the Word, the love, and the cleansing within the four walls that we received it in. It should go in us and then be fed to someone else who needs it. There are people everywhere that need God's Word, and we are the vehicles that will transport that Word. Thats exactly what this mornings documentary was about; sharing the wealth of God. Whether that wealth be in the form of money, time, resources, or love, it should be shared with others so we can all grow closer to Christ. Giving is a humbling experience, and I realized that it will give me the cleansing, love, and Word that I need but in a unique way.

God helps us to examine our life, and helps to realign our focus if we get off track. What does Church mean to you, whats your reasoning for going into a building every Sunday. Would your definition change if the building was destroyed and you had to meet on the sidewalk?

I think this post was all over the place, but I really wanted to share with you all that Church should not be limited to Sunday mornings and a building, and we shouldn't always be focused on what God can do for us, but how we can be a blessing to others. 

Let God redirect you if need be...love you all dearly....fly closer sisters! 

Marriage Perceptions & Natural Hair

You may be thinking what does natural hair have to do with marriage??? For me, it has a lot to do with it! Let me explain…

I guess I have always wanted to be married. But, once I started pursuing Christ the desire to have a God-given marriage replaced the monotonous thought process of, “I’m getting married because that’s what I’m suppose to do”. The desire that is within me now is much deeper than that. I truly want my marriage to be a representation of God, not just the last stop on the dating cycle. Throughout this past year I have learned that purpose plays a significant role in every aspect of my life, and marriage doesn’t escape this. Christ was and still is married to the Church (the body of Christ) to bring to us salvation, and provide an unexplainable love. He didn’t become one with us because we’re cute, mind you He believes that you and I are beautiful queens, but His reasoning went a bit further than our image. There was purpose in slipping the ring on our finger and saying I do. Without the union, lives wouldn’t have been saved.

I am waiting on that marriage; a marriage that is purpose driven. A marriage where my husband will love Christ more that he loves me, and then love me as Christ loved the Church. A marriage where I will submit to him just like the Church submitted to Christ. And a marriage that will glorify Christ, and will fulfill what God has destined for us to do. This desire still burns deep within me. I am glad that it has replaced the world’s view of marriage but in doing so I also let it burn a hole in reality. Being that I was waiting on a marriage sent from God, my mind slowly began to think that this marriage would be perfect. God would arrange it so why wouldn’t it be perfect? I took this and ran, creating a fantasy world within my mind. Believing that every stage of the courting process, engagement, and then I do would sail through without any hiccups. We would be the perfect replica of Christ and the Church. It wasn’t until I listened to a radio interview done by Cornelius and Heather Lindsey (an amazing couple on fire for the Lord, Google them!) that I knew that my marriage would be nowhere near perfect. My heart broke; they courted God’s way and they still had trying times. They broke up, had arguments, and had to continue to work on themselves in order to make the relationship work. The world that I created in my head was destroyed and I was devastated. The desire to be married waned a little after that. I didn’t want to be hurt again, or go through the growing pains of a relationship. I just wanted it to magically appear and be everything that I wanted.  My natural hair helped to alter this mindset in a good-way.

Me & my Fro!

I have been natural for almost two years (cut the last of the relaxer off in Nov. 2011). I absolutely love it, and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Although I love it, there are times when it drives me nuts!! I have to get up earlier in the morning in order for it to look right, and spend extra time at night to make sure I wont look crazy in the morning. Natural hair is work. Most people think that it would be a simpler process…. its not. It’s not like having a simple flat wrap that takes minutes to look effortless. Natural hair takes hours to look effortless, and most of the time it’s not effortless. I have to put in work to get the desired look that I want. Most people come up to me and tell me that they love my hair and ask me what I do to it. After explaining my nightly routine, they stare and then say, “I’m not doing that every night!” They want the end results but don’t want to go through to get it. This was exactly how I viewed marriage; I wanted a “perfect” marriage but didn’t realize that I was going to have to work to have a good Christ-like marriage. In the beginning, when I was transitioning and shortly after I cut the relaxer off, I had BIG fails. I mean there were days my head looked like the end of a Q-tip.  However, although I had these big fails I didn’t slap a relaxer back in my head, I worked though it. I learned how my hair worked and learned not to let it upset me when it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it too. Although I’m almost two years in the game, I still get frustrated and sometimes I don’t want to put in the effort to wash or twist my hair. But its worth it; I love my fro at the end of day.  I shouldn’t expect my marriage or relationship to just fall into place, my hair didn’t. It took time; it was a learning experience.

I am glad God gave me this insight. It was hard to understand that marriage wasn’t going to be glamorous every second of the day like in the movies, and I almost gave up on the idea of getting married.  But God reminded me in a unique way that the same way that I love my hair and have to work with it, is the same way I will love my husband but will have to work with him on our marriage. Marriage will most definitely be work and it will NOT be perfect. Yes, there will be times when my husband-to-be will get on my nerves and vice versa, there will be times when we might hurt each other unintentionally, and times we will just have to plain work to keep the relationship growing towards Christ. However, despite what happens I can still have a purpose-driven marriage that is blessed from God, and the good days will most definitely outweigh the bad.

Marriage is a beautiful gift from God embrace every aspect of it!

I love each and every one of you! Fly higher to Christ today, He wants you more than you think!