Sunday morning, on the way to church, I almost had an accident. I was in the middle of listening to Maurette Brown Clark's song "It Ain't Over" and my first thought was - "I already got this. I know to keep fighting. Yeah it's coming. I'm not worried about my victory." I'm sitting in the driver's seat, talking and having a good time with just me and God. I know what the song is, what she's singing about. I already have it instilled on the inside of me and it's not even a doubt for me. I'm thankful that I'm not wavering and thankful that even in this time when I was terminated at my job for treating humans like humans, I know who I am. I know what I've done and I know what I haven't done and I'm okay with it mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I'm okay with everything that's happened. It's not on me. So I'm listening to the song driving on the interstate, talking to God with this high spirit that God will work everything out. That this is happening for my good. All of a sudden, this car comes over into my lane. All I can say is "oh God oh God oh God oh God oh God". I see the accident. I didn't even look behind me as I started breaking and hitting on the horn so we won't actually have an accident and he wakes up and he goes back in his lane. There is no collision. I look into the rear view mirror and that's when I see this black car that was not immediately behind me, maybe two or three car lengths, swerve over into the left lane. As I'm driving past the car, I look over to the driver and see the grogginess in him. The only thing I could do was pray - Lord, let this man wake up.
It hits me at that moment that we must be vigilant at all times. I'm not saying that there are times when we can't relax but in this day and age we have to be like those Warriors of God that built the wall with Nehemiah. With one hand, we have to build and with the other, we have to defend. We must be vigilant to know when we build and when we defend. We must know who is around us and how they're being used. Are they being used by God to put a good word in us? Are they being used by the adversary to destroy us?
We also have to be vigilant as a people of God to know how we are being used for the kingdom of God. It's not always about whom is around us but how are we allowing ourselves to be used. Vigilance is not only protecting ourselves from the exterior. Where are my thoughts roaming too? What's in my heart? How do I think on myself? How do I treat myself? Challenge: For the next 10 days, write down something you love about yourself. Each day, make is something different. Embrace those things. Pray on those things that you don't love about yourself and ask God what can you do to change your outlook on what He has given you.
"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8). Those things that you don't love about yourself, the devil will use to break you. Learn to embrace all that you are. You may not be the height or size that you want to be. May not have the finances you want. May not be in the relationship that you desire. But in this season, where you think you lack, you don't. Don't you know this is your preparation season for things to come? Yet, how can God bless you with your desires, when you aren't grateful for your now? Vigilant is defined as keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. Are you keeping the door closed so that the adversary can't sneak in? Speaking on what you are not, embracing your downfalls, opens the door for the devil. No, none of us are perfect. Yes, all of us can improve. But, that doesn't mean that I have to speak poorly about myself in the process of improving. Think on this - Matthew 16. There is a conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus asks Peter who do the people say he is. Peter's answer shows that the people weren't sure. Then Jesus asks Peter who does he (Peter) say that He is. Peter answers: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God". Peter knew whom the Messiah was not because he had been told, but because of the time he had spent with him. How much time have you spent with yourself to know whom you are? How much time have you spent with God to know whom He says you are?
Always,
Be Blessed and a Blessing