Can you use a little more strength?
This week I prepared another inspiration that after speaking to a friend last night, I felt that this subject matter would be best to minister on. Marvin Gaye recorded a very popular song entitled "Whats Going On". In this song Gaye recites from the depths of his soul "mercy, mercy me, things ain't what they used to be--no!" Today, I can attest to those words for things have changed so much in our society and I'm afraid that it has not been for the best. As I spoke to my friend, she said something that griped my heart...she said "Clyde, if I could just have that joy that I used to have about God...so many things have transpired in my life that it seems like all of the optimism, hope and faith that I used to have that things would get better...its like gone." I sat there lost for words (which anyone who knows me will tell you that this doesn't happen too often...I hear you saying AMEN Tiff...LOL!). I was lost for words because I could identify in many ways the pain of my dear friend. We began to talk about how going to church used to be a joy rather than a "job" or a "well I gotta go...so lets go get this over with" or some sort of "task". We talked about how it didn't used to be this hard to get employment and good employment as well. So many other "used-tos" came to mind and as I sat there and talked I began to ask God "whats going on?"
Friend, I personally often find myself in these predicaments where I am challenged the most by what I believe, preach or declare out of my mouth. Have you ever been in a place where you had the momentous task of encouraging someone else through the very thing that keeps you awake at night? Have you ever had to pull someone out of a ditch only to go home to have to climb right down into your own ditch of despair, doubt, discomfort and rejection? I want to let you know that if you have, your day of release is coming, for they who sow in tears--shall reap in joy! God is going to turn your mourning into dancing, but you cannot loose heart...you must keep the faith. I cannot tell you how many times I have been up in-front of people, doing what God commanded me to do-- smile in the perfect position, not a hair out of place, with the right shirt to go with the right pants, to go with the right shoes, to go with the right belt and still felt empty, depressed and joy-less. Folks jumping and shouting all around me, getting there deliverance and breakthrough by what God was orchestrating to come out of my mouth while I myself was faced with faith-shaking situations and circumstances. And yes, sometimes I would dance, cry, etc., etc., only to be in the same place seemingly once the dance stopped and the tears dried up (encourage yourself and let yourself know...things are not what they always seem). But my friend what I didn't know was that God was often times testing me to see if I could handle the pressures of being great and more than just your average Joe. I don't want to seem redundant from previous weeks, but what we go through really is to MAKE & POSITION us into what we are supposed to be. Let me tell you, when you can dance in between the raindrops and in the midst of hell, with all kind of hurt and disappointment running through your body and with the tears of despondency in your eyes...baby get ready from your breakthrough! Often times though we loose heart and we loose faith during the tests and the storms so our testimony, destiny and even our joy is cut to a devastating death. But just as Ezekiel spoke and prophesied to the dry bones in the valley (as the Lord commanded him) and they rose, I speak to you and your dry bones today and command you and your dreams, aspirations and visions to LIVE! Can these [very] dry bones, dreams and expectations live...YES THEY CAN AND THEY WILL! I can see your joy coming back to life!
In Nehemiah 8:10 we find a setting where Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites present began to read and teach the Word of the Lord with clarity. The revelation was so overwhelming to the people that they began to weep in sadness. Nehemiah looked out at the people and told them to basically go and enjoy life and share some of that joy with others who were less fortunate for the joy of their God would be their strength. What is the joy of the Lord, you may ask? Well in my opinion the joy of the Lord can be accessed by simply thinking on the goodness of God. Nothing spectacular has to happen, you don't have to get a new this or that...all you have to do is think on who God truly is! I get joy when I think about Calvary and how Christ died a horrible death just to save me. I get joy when I think about ALL of the great, marvelous and awesome things that God has done for me. I draw joy when I think of all the horrible and impossible pits of despair that the Lord has rescued me from when I didn't think it could be done or that he would! Think on these things friend when you find your joy zapped and remember if He [Christ] did it before, He will do it again. And if it is something that you have been believing God for and it seems like nothing good is coming out of it...remember that even if he doesn't do it for you, that He is still God and moreover He is a good God! Began to draw from the word, see wont your joy increase and see wont you be strengthened. Begin to love on yourself so much so that every insecurity is melted away and you are able to say no matter who and what comes or goes, I'm still the righteousness of God and I know that God loves me and wouldn't bring me this far to leave me. Try it! Instead of complaining about what is not or what you don't have, begin to show God you love Him and are trustworthy to bear his blessings by being and doing what you should during your dark and uncertain seasons.
Be blessed and know that God has great thoughts towards you. I have decided that come what may "I Still Believe" God! Purpose that in your heart this week that no matter what comes (or goes) that you will not waiver from believing what your great God has spoken and declared towards you.
Much Love,
Clyde L. Webster
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