Beauty, pt. 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

~ Isaiah 61:1 NIVUK

 

The saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” is an opinion, implying that value, (beauty), is generated by a person's opinion. People’s good opinions can be useful and appreciated. However, allowing them any higher value can be extremely dangerous.

 

I know.

 

In my younger years, I was a people-pleaser. I wore myself out trying to gain the good opinions of others: my teachers, peers, and family. Sadly, I equated others’ opinions with the level of my worth. One careless word and I was shattered. Fortunately, in my early twenties, God put women in my path who were very strong in their faith-walk, and they taught me how to cultivate my relationship with Jesus.

 

As I read my Bible, took notes, asked questions, and learned to listen for and recognize God’s voice, I was given the greatest gift: realizing my true value and worth begin and end in God. In God’s unchanging opinion, I am loved, cherished, beautiful, and worth more than rubies. He knows my future and my past, and still, I am precious in His sight! That revelation really rocked my world, in a desperately needed way!

 

In his song, “Ghost,” David Crowder tells us to “Get ready.” As we invest in our relationship with God, reading, listening, and asking questions, we need to “get ready,” because He wants to change our lives! He loves to rip off the lies and lavish us with so much love that we won’t have room to doubt our value or worth in Him.

 

Knowing how this revelation healed my heart and my mind, it deeply saddens me when I see others—both adults and kids—trapped by the lies that their value is determined by the opinions, and sometimes careless words, of others. But God’s got a plan! He wants those who’ve received this great revelation to share it with others, so they, too, will know that their value and worth lie in Him, alone.

 

Thank you, Father, for giving us the gift of this revelation. Help us to share it, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming freedom for the captives, and releasing the prisoners from darkness. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022

In the Trenches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

Have you ever been in the valleys of life? 

What about in the trenches?

Life seemed to be going along like normal, maybe you sensed things were slightly off, but before you had a chance to react, the earth started to tremble and down you went from the hillside and into the valley. But your quick shot down didn’t end there. Before you could even get your bearings, the valley floor opened and you fell through a crack. When you carefully, cautiously stood, you looked around and found yourself in the trenches in the middle of a war zone. You weren’t sure who was flinging bombs at you, but you knew enough to duck. In your crouched position, fear began to waft into the trench with you, like the smell of death. It was death to the life you thought you knew, felt that you’d had, giving way to this new reality in an ugly, scary battle scene where hope has faded to gray and you feel all alone.

Sadly, this is reality for some of the people I care about deeply. Without much warning, life shattered and they awoke to this new, hurtful reality. First it only breaks the heart. But then, it messes with the mind. Hurt and fear set in when the mind asks if the life and relationships you thought you had were all just a lie. Hurt and fear give way to anger when you believe the question as truth: it was all a lie!

Though the trenches look bleak and gray, hope begins to grow when Light is spotted. It may look like it’s coming from an encouraging post on social media, or a card from a friend. And though He’ll use resources like your therapist, your pastor, and even prayer warrior friends, there’s only one Light Source. His Name is Jesus.

If you are on the outside, watching a loved one struggle through trench warfare, commit to standing with them in prayer. This is likely to not be a short season, but God allowed you this unique position in their life to partner with them in prayer and, at times, to cover over them in a blanket of prayer-protection. This may not be trench warfare like your great-grandfather faced, but it’s spiritual warfare, which means the stakes are higher and the injuries more costly.

If you’re in the trenches, then suit up! This is likely to be the greatest battle you’ve ever fought. The devil fights to the death and he’s out for blood! But you are not without protection and you’re not without hope. Get your spiritual armor on; hold up your shield and swing your sword. Pull God’s Word close to you and dig into His promises like your life depends on it. His Word will become your greatest weapon and resource till this battle is won, and then will be the launch pad from which your new season will begin.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021