On April 15th, 2018, I and my husband Byron publicly made a commitment to the calling of pastoral ministry, at our ordination ceremony. A commitment to serve Jesus Christ and His Church with faith, hope and love. This wasn’t my career choice or something I planned and aspired to do, but I cannot imagine a life without this vital assignment.

In retrospect, I gave my life to Christ and started serving in the church at the age of 11. I knew I was called to servant leadership and that there was a place for me in ministry. But unfortunately, I ran in the opposite direction for many years, primarily because I never really felt like I belonged. 

There wasn’t anyone in my life who affirmed my role in ministry, instead, they placed me in areas where there was a need or where most young girls served. As I grew older I allowed my unrighteous past and continuous struggles with sin to discourage me. I couldn’t have been or felt more unworthy to fully answer the call that undeniably tugged for so long. Thankfully, God forgave me, humbled me, prepared me and never gave up on me. I need you to believe that He can and will do the same for you, if only you give Him a chance. Jesus Christ forgives, transforms hearts and gives identity to the lost and eternal life to those who believe.

We’ve learned that what glorifies Christ the most is preaching the gospel to nonbelievers and loving His people. Sometimes our passions and assignments may change but our Divine purpose remains.

“Don’t grow weary. Sometimes we have to wait to see the fruit but it will come”, are words from a trusted advisor of mine, Bishop Pam Lawrence. Naturally, everyone has a heart that yearns to do good works. The bible says that we are God’s workmanship created in Jesus Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). 

Maybe you’re not sure who you’re called to be or what to do— or you feel too far gone in confusion or darkness to change your life. I want to encourage you find your passion today and to stay the path toward Jesus. Read the whole book of Luke and examine how Jesus successfully walked out His purpose on earth. Remember that our God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). 

Scriptures to meditate on…

“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 
-Romans 9:17

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
‭‭-Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭‬‬

‘I will remain confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’-Psalm 27:13

It was sunny and nearly 70 degrees yesterday, so I found myself working in the yard and came across something essentially common but so beautiful.

Lying there in our yard of hay like grass, that obviously didn’t survive the harsh winter months, were just a few little purple flowers. I immediately thought these were the faux silk flowers from one of my girls art crafts. As I knelt down to pick one up, thinking I’d just toss them in the trash, surprisingly, I felt the silky softness of petals. They were definitely in all their glory as real as they come.

Looking at these little flowers that bloomed beautifully, reminded me that the environment does not have complete control over what grows. The seed and roots were made to seek what it needs in order to have the nutrients to thrive.

In this fallen world, we will continue to face some of the craziest of circumstances, but remember that there is still something inside of you that can keep growing as the roots go deeper. It’s the very precious gift called faith. A plant (us) that’s deeply rooted (faith in Christ) is hard to shake. We must continue to go deep to seek what we need to thrive. In other words, when life gives you crap, you can seek to make some fertilizer and take in the good nutrients thereof, to grow.

The bible says that the grass may wither away but His Word lives on forever. Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will not (Matthew 24:35). The powerful gift of faith that will keep us grounded, is developed by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Keep watering your faith with the Word of God, knowing the promises that He’s in charge and wants what’s absolutely best for you (Deut. 7:13, Jer. 29:11).

Today, in Christ alone, you can be the stunning flower that blooms in a harsh or less favorable environment. Let’s also remember to take a moment, look around and admire the intricate beauty and wonder of all that has become so common in our lives.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
‭‭~ Proverbs‬ ‭13:12‬ ~

This charm is one of my favorite gifts from my husband. He remembers to fill this capsule with essential oils for me and most often, it’s with lavender. This diffuser charm is meant to help soothe my nerves on the most stressful days— but for me, it also serves as a reminder to focus on what brings life and not just the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2).

When you know certain things about situations and people, I’m learning that it’s better to believe in possibilities that can happen with God instead of what things actually are in the moment. The ability to do this truly takes the help of the Holy Spirit.

If you’re someone who sees the invisible, hears the unspoken and intensely feels what others feel, I know and understand that this ability can be a gift and a curse. I am grateful that God is able to do miraculous work with both. There is hope and I am praying for you, today. 💙

This picture gave me chills this morning. MLK was probably my age in this picture and died a few years later… Makes me think about all that he sacrificed because of a dream for his family and others. A dream for a better life for minorities, unity, love (God’s love) and equality for all.

He was a man of great faith—knew his greater calling and remained confident in Jesus that he’ll see light and change in the darkest of times. Many believers didn’t even support him mainly because of fear. He did it afraid and his wife stood by him knowing the risks.

We must remember that it’s not divisive or less loving to expose what’s wrong. That’s the only way to bring people together, effect change and make things right. We can preach love and kindness all we want but if we don’t publicly and actively defend those who have been oppressed by racist systems, wrongfully killed or hurt and rebuke the oppressors, those loving and kind words are empty.

If all believers in Christ of all races, truly lived out their faith, we would be heavily involved in politics and activism. There is no separation of politics and religion or church and state, mentioned in the bible. Advocating for all of God’s people is not a political agenda. It’s a Kingdom agenda.

Praying God gives us all strength and grace to keep fighting this fight from all angles, together. Don’t grow weary in well doing. We’re making strides but we’re not there yet.

FaithinAction #LoveinAction #BetterDaysAreComing #KeepPushing #BiggerthanBlackHistoryMonth

Starting this week at a place where I belong, the feet of the King of Kings. I don’t ever want to believe that I’m personally strong enough, holy enough, wise enough or good enough to carry the weight of this life on my own.

If you’ve ever been broken or you feel like you are now, remember it’s a very familiar place for Someone else who suffered horrifically and intentionally, just for you. His name is Jesus Christ.

Let’s be reminded that He was also broken—persecuted and hurt by those whom He loved. I would imagine that the pain He experienced physically and emotionally had to feel unbearable. But just as Paul says in this scripture, His pain and sufferings were also not worthy to be compared to God’s glory revealed to Him and in Him.

Devastating circumstances will break you. People will hurt you. You will hurt them. But simultaneously, when we seek and praise God during the difficult times, forgive quickly and humble ourselves to ask for forgiveness, we can then experience growth in grace, truth, faith, love, and the glory of God through Jesus Christ.

He gives beauty for ashes, joy for pain, grace for humility, promises for faith, and glory for grit.

Greater purpose does not come without greater pain and there’s no glory without grit. So keep hanging in there friends. Jesus is advocating for us. He is with us. Better days are soon to come. 🤍

If we are all completely honest, we’d admit that this world influences us greatly to be task and goal driven. I don’t believe that setting goals and staying the course to complete tasks are wrong, there’s just something vital we need to remember in the process.

We learn in Ephesians 2:10 that God created us to do good works, however, we must remain steadfast in who He has called us to be. When we are focused on ‘Who’ (Christ who lives in us) the ‘What’ (our tasks/assignments) will always be aligned with the ‘Why’ (God’s purpose).

Be careful not to fall into the trap of measuring your success to others which steals your joy and distorts truth. Remember that your purpose comes from God, alone. It is uniquely written for you and it can only be fulfilled by you, through the grace of God.

It’s been said that we are human beings not human doings. So in less than ten words… ‘Focus more on being than doing’. Be encouraged! Be great!

P.S. I’m learning this, too. 💛

#purpose #faith #Jesus #identity