Rinnâ

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4KEgwLDLHw

Don’t Tread on Me ~ We the Kingdom

The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

~ Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

I grew up in a pool, and for many years, on a swim team. Though I competed in other events, I preferred backstroke, because I could see my friends cheering me into the wall. It helped to have friends and family cheering. It’s a lot harder to keep up the discipline of a strong finish when no one’s there for you. I use the analogy of swimming, because it’s what I know, but it’s true of every sport and all of life. The reason stadiums hand out annoying noise-makers is to encourage the players, especially when their team isn’t winning. It helps to know you’ve got someone in your corner, someone who’s on your side.

As I sat down to pray this morning, the line “He will rejoice over you with singing,” from Zephaniah 3:17, seemed to leap out at me. The phrase, “over you with singing,” is the Hebrew word rinnâ, which means, “shouting for joy.” I have some friends who are walking through hard battles. Sometimes, especially when the battle is long, it can feel like God is “busy elsewhere,” and has forgotten us. But the truth is, He’s always with us and never loses sight of us. In fact, He’s constantly cheering us on, encouraging us, and shouting with joy and pride at our progress:

Come on, Son! Come on, Daughter! You’ve got this! You’re more than a conqueror! You’re an overcomer! Don’t give up! I’ve got you. Don’t quit! Just a little bit more. Just a little farther. You can do this. I’m right here with you!

Hebrews 12:1 says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, people of faith sent by God to encourage us and show us the way. Just like it encouraged me as people cheered for my swimming, we’re encouraged and strengthened when we know we’re not alone. Regardless of who’s telling us we can’t, God sent His Spirit to dwell within us, reminding us of what we can do in Him. My prayer is that, as we allow God’s love to quiet us, shutting out the noise, we’ll hear Holy Spirit cheering us all the way to a strong finish.

©Heather Potts 2021

Yes, You Can!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzw6A2WC5Qo&feature=youtu.be

Invincible ~ Skillet

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ~ Hebrews 12:1 NIV

In recent months, my brother has been sharing his workouts on Facebook. On one hand, you might be annoyed by someone who posts every time they workout, while you do it without the glory. But on the other hand, you might find some inspiration. When you look closely at his pictures, you see that he’s surrounded by others who are just as sweaty--be it basketball or spin class. 

A few years ago, when I started running, Brad went with me, but he couldn't continue, and I had to decide if I was going to do it on my own. What I discovered was that I wasn’t alone. Hebrews 12 says, "We are SURROUNDED by a great cloud of witnesses." The witnesses are those who have gone before us, who've walked where we're walking, and who are cheering us on, from the very first trial all the way through to triumph! 

During my runs, there were many times I didn't think I could make one more step, certainly not another block. But it was in those times Holy Spirit said, "Yes, you can! Don't quit! Don't quit! Don't quit!" Each time I pushed through, I was so proud of myself for not quitting, because each time I went further than I thought I could. 

Today, I am not prepping for a run. Two months of migraines and vertigo really takes a toll. But even in the simplistic work out, even with a pinched nerve in my neck, I don't want to quit. I refuse to back down. And this is what we've been training for, a won't-back-down attitude. 

Since moving to Wisconsin 16 months ago, we've faced more disappointment, heartache, and trials than I care to recount. But God has also surrounded us. Every day, I am truly amazed and in awe of all God has done for us, brought us through, blessed us with, and the "won't-quit-won't-back-down" attitude He's built up within us.

I think it was John Bevere who said this season is the training ground for the next. Whatever hardship you may be walking through, today, remember, you're not alone. Listen as Holy Spirit encourages you, especially on the hard days, "Yes you can! Now, don't quit!" 

©Heather Potts 2018