I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for listening to yesterday’s episode. I hope our little talk about shining helped your day.
I have another layer to add – what you say to yourself while you’re going through the process.
Once upon a time, I ruminated religiously on one phrase. I would repeat it over and over again when something bad happened. “Of course this happened. This stuff always happens to me.”
And I truly felt that way. I kept looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I kept bracing myself for impact. Anything to knock me off my joy and my axis.
Car trouble. Health issue. Misunderstanding. Crappy service. Spilled drink.
Any negative situation had the same weight – heavy. One thing could frustrate me at any time because it felt like I was always on guard. I wasn’t walking around angry; I was walking wounded and full of bad expectations. It was exhausting and I grew wearing walking around with a looming cloud over my head.
I didn’t speak life to my situations because I didn’t think vitality was possible. Then, I finally understood that my spirit was hearing everything that flowed from my lips. My words were driving the ship through the storm. I could either rest or stress. When I repeated that toxic phrase of gloom, I was reverberating stress through my body. Yes, I may have felt that way, but I didn’t have to make it my tune. It didn’t have to be my soundtrack.
When you’re being shined through rough experiences, pay attention to what you say. There’s a difference between speaking facts and speaking TRUTH. Yes, you may have a certain amount in the bank, but stop saying you’re broke. You may not have someone else’s features, but stop saying you’re ugly or “built wrong.” God’s breath is in your lungs, so your words can germinate life or death… and you have more life to live. More life to enjoy. More life to explore.
That’s the beauty of the shining process. It reveals the beauty beneath the surface. The negative things will happen to you, but they are not you.
Say good things about yourself. Speak life-giving words into you and into situations around you. Breathe goodness back into your spirit. You’re worth it.
If you’re in the thick of it right now, I’m praying for you. I hope you had a good day, but if you didn’t, it just got better. Thanks for listening.
Peace & Love y’all. See you tomorrow.
CJW
An audio version of this blog is on my podcast. It’s less than 5 minutes – perfect for a quick encouragement. Consider sending the link to someone who could use a lift today. Thanks!
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We made it to August, Family… and whew, did 2024 fly in here.
Seriously. I said the same thing last year thinking it would calm down next year, but that would be (as we say in the South) “too much like right.”
This year began with one word in my spirit – SHINE.
Last year’s words were ACTIVATE and LIFT, so I thought this year would be a maintenance situation of whatever was activated and lifted.
WRONG.
That word SHINE reverberated through my life starting the first week of January when I was planning rehearsals for my first solo-produced show. It kept going as I watched my work performed at a state dance festival and completed a 10-month group wellness series at the library. I’ve been reaping the harvest of seeds sown years ago. Forging new relationships and discovering more within me to give and value. The last 6 months have been a progressive and humbling ride. And I can say is it’s been an interesting journey and internally, I like it here.
When I reflect on that post from July 2023, this section jumps out –
I’m learning to let God create a new normal that consists of opportunities and miracles. That the seeds I’ve planted are subject to growing into a harvest. I am challenged to believe the floor will drop beneath my feet at any moment, but that instant need to recoil is becoming more of an anomaly. I open my hands to receive because I accept the joy of the giver’s intention.
This year, I’ve learned the only way to shine is to keep my hands open toward the Son. To receive His Blessing and lessons equally. To accept the truth that I am worthy of experiencing goodness and mercy all the days of my life. Distractions and hardships will come, but they can not stick. I reign in the Truth that God’s Love through Jesus set me free to be my best self. I don’t have to wonder about what is real. I stand in its shoes. I appreciate the good things.
Here’s 30 goals I met in 6 months!
Hosted and debuted another spoken word piece at Dance Levels‘ Journey to Africa Dance Production. Thank you, Maya Spivey, for another wonderful time!
My Christian creative collective Workmanship Incorporated celebrated 12 years of ministry and outreach!
Co-choreographed Gradient Dance Theater & Community‘s production of Tortoise and the Hare. What?! It was so magical. Thank you Taylor and Joanna for this experience and it was a pleasure to choreograph with you, Grace. Post-Cool Art Collective, you’re geniuses.
Hosted and debuted another spoken word piece at New Awakening Recovery Services‘ Recovery Monologues. Thank you Martina Dailey for this lovely experience!
Ate Maggiano’s. (I told you it is my favorite annual must-stop). 🙌🏾
Completed my first solo-produced show… and it sold out! 🙌🏾
Still got my therapy, hair, nails and pedicure appointments in.
Attended a French Conversation Club meeting.
Hosted self-care letter-writing events.
Attended Dance Across Birmingham and the Alabama Dance Festival. I stretched myself and took new classes with confidence and vulnerability.
Advocated for dance pay equity in churches
Served as an online service host for Zion Church (Hey, Zion Fam!)
Taught African Dance and Stepping classes with The Dance Foundation and Gradient Dance Theater & Community. So much fun… ooooo!
Served on the district and local executive council of my sorority
Completed two food-based fasts to strengthen my spirit
Had necessary conversations and released the ones I will never have
Supported my creative colleagues through performance attendance, donations, and prayers.
Increased my confidence in speaking about my brands to strangers. (I still get nervous.)
Created and kept sister time appointments with my inner circle
Read to middle-schoolers and provided encouragement
Taught a step workshop at the Powered by Girls Conference at UAB ArtPlay
And that’s just some of the goals I met that I had in mind last year. New things I wanted to do and things I wanted to do better. That’s how I am embracing my shine. Creating breathing room to expand in ways I never thought was within reach at this time of my life. Giving myself grace to evolve and learn new ways of doing things. Allowing myself to be here and whole.
And what did I do for the 4th of July? Same as last year – completed massage client sessions, ate lunch from a client who annually feeds me from her delectable kitchen menu, listened to UAB Summer Band and watched fireworks. This word SHINE grew in me like a little seedling, and little did not how much it would yield.
See you tomorrow.
Peace & Love y’all,
CJW
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Last night was story time about when to lift. Tonight is a double lesson but no story time. Let’s go!
UTR Lesson #3 – Excellence speaks silent volumes.
Each person below had a specific job and they were exceptional in it. Their excellence was so pronounced that they were asked to do it for years.
Some of them, like Dr. Yancey (bottom right) had academic preparation to adequately describe the miracle of Lazarus’s death. I’ve never been so excited to hear about death in my life. Trust me, Family, you will almost throw your shoe during his soliloquy. Get the recording. You’ll also see him sing opera, but don’t tell him I told you. 🙂
Pastor Mark V. Brown, Sr. and his shofar (top left). Powerful. Each performance, he would sit patiently and wait until his appointed time. No fanfare. Gentle smile. Focused and calm. I admired his position and stewardship of such a revered symbol.
Mr. Hubert (top right) built the props and orchestrated his team like a conductor leads a symphony. He knew every piece of every part and could move something in record time. When I asked him if he went to school for it, he said no… God showed him what to do. *mind blown*
Ms. Ruthie was my sweet firecracker (bottom left). Everything was on stage because of her amazing stage management. Impeccable, small, and mighty. With her white gloves and super stare, this production ran like a ship seasoned for the seas.
The voice of Antonio Bowman is one to be marveled. I can’t tell you how many times I cried and jumped when he sang during the Triumphal Entry. Every year, that’s the voice you’re waiting for and every year, he sings like it’s his last (his words, not mine). I also can’t tell you how many times we laughed backstage. Jokes are good for the soul and we had plenty.
Excellence is consistent and UTR resurrected that truth in me. I’ve been working in the arts since I was child. From then to even now, people assumed I didn’t need help because it didn’t look like it. A sliver of burnout was peeking over the horizon and I prayed it wouldn’t rise. I prayed that God would resuscitate me for the rest of the journey because I love my lanes. Whether behind the scenes, hosting a principal part, or delivering several parts, excellence was everywhere that weekend and it was life-giving. Then, God gave me Lesson #4.
UTR Lesson #4 – A dream takes a village.
The beauty about a dream is that isn’t yours.
The birth plan of a vision can expand well over 9 months, but the best part is that you’re not alone. You’re actually part of a symphony. You just haven’t met the rest of the musicians yet.
When I observed these moments in time, I couldn’t help but notice a proverbial hum of workmanship in every area. The make-up team was preparing the dancers for their next scene. The sound technicians checked levels. The gloved hands of the crew waiting for their cue to raise the curtain or the actor in his harness. Ashlee and I formed a tag team to take down a disciple’s braided hair (representation is important in Biblical performances, by the way).
When excellence is at work, God will bring the village. He will send the help. I believe that now more than ever.
Being a creative can be daunting, but being a creative in Kingdom arts can compound the fatigue. The idea is that you don’t need anything or anyone because you’re doing it for God and God has everything, so hey… you’ll be alright. Just keep going. Who cares if you have one leg left, an eyeball barely in socket, and a sore throat? Who cares if you can’t pay your bills because you’ve donated all of your labor? God is good! Keep going! Well, that’s a narrative I vow to change – in a different avenue, so let’s get back to this road.
The miracle of UTR is that two people multiplied into many hands which created lighter work, yet the excellence was not watered down. That’s amazing to me. No longer do you have to toil in a silo (talking to myself).
What a village, we were. My mother and aunt served food to hundreds of cast and crew. My two sisters/Workmanship Incorporated teammates were part of the make-up squad. Two young ladies that grew up in the production were now applying make-up and lashes on two veteran department directors. I helped one year and brought others. Others helped and brought more others.
Simply put, the vision seems too big because I am not designed to carry it alone.
God will send me my village to help me carry out his instructions. I no longer feel heavy with doubt that I won’t be able to carry the vision to term. I see what’s possible if I just do my part in excellence.
The same goes for you, Family. If you’re standing next to an incredible task, know that you’re not alone. Someone else is standing next to one and possibly the same one. Looking up at it and getting dizzy.
We have help coming. Encouragement, financials, employees, volunteers, venues… it’s coming. And if you look around – just pause and look – you might find that your help is already here.
I’m praying for you. We got this. Keep dreaming.
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all.
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Last night, I described how God resurrected my hope in His promises and that He would grow every seed I plant in Him.
Let’s dive into the next lesson with a little bit of story time.
UTR Lesson #2 – Know when to lift.
So, I was backstage doing my one job at the moment – wash the theatrical blood off of Jesus in 60 seconds.
Beforehand, my teammates and I had figuratively dissected the actor into quadrants with specific duties assigned to each area. Mine was RIGHT LEG WASH and RIGHT ARM/SHOULDER RINSE/DRY. I was ready. This particular brand of theatrical blood was syrupy, so as it cooled, it resembles the real thing. Two buckets of hotter-than-warm soapy water and one bucket of warm water were on deck. We were ready.
The actor rushed into the wings after his scene and we got to work.
RIGHT LEG WASH RIGHT ARM/SHOULDER RINSE/DRY
I started with his shins and finished with his feet.
Leg done. Start shoulder.
Broad strokes with warm water.
Pat dry. Done.
Then my department head asked me to transfer to his left arm to ensure all the stage blood was removed. There was a larger shadow on that side of his body, so I took a broad brush approach with firm pressure below the elbow. Just then, I saw a tinge of red on his forearm and I was determined to make it disappear. My department head and teammates were feverishly fueled by perfection. We weren’t in the business of making mistakes with so little time to spare.
My left hand gripped his wrist and I went to work. My right hand moved in hyper-speed to attack that red tinge. After confirming its annihilation, I reached down to grab a towel to dry the area and then it happened.
Now, I was taught that once an actor no longer feels your “working touch,” they may assume you’re finished with the quick change and move prematurely. So, my left hand was still in place.
*snatch*
“It’s good,” he said before whisking away to set.
I was surprisingly offended and it was less than a second. My mind knew not to be sensitive because things move so fast in theater that you can’t stay in your feelings about anything. People truly have things to do and places to be – and you have to roll with wherever they land. This includes a flick of the arm from an actor playing Jesus.
I looked at the floor in confusion and hoped that his white garment was safe. I told myself not to be offended, but it was too late. I couldn’t let it go.
“I was just doing my job… he didn’t even see it on his arm…” I kept regurgitating silently. If I didn’t get all of that blood off and it transferred to his spotless white garments, I was going to hear about it, I said in my mind before going to bed.
Certainly, he didn’t mean anything by it. Certainly, I wasn’t out of pocket, was I? I definitely didn’t want to be a hindrance to his excellence. Certainly, I was just swimming in some bathwater the devil made for my feelings.
I had made up my mind. I was going to talk to Jesus tomorrow.
Gearing up for the Ascension
When I woke up the next morning, I heard the following in my spirit – “He knew when to lift. That’s what I need you to do. You have to know when to shift to the next level. Know when to move with Me.”
I instantly understood what He meant.
“OK, I get it… and I’m going to tell Jesus so this other junk won’t swim around my spirit and leave a terrible tub ring around my last UTR experience. I have to tell him that I appreciate the lesson he didn’t know he gave me.”
So, that’s what I did, well… almost.
Quick change check in
“OK, Lord…” I said in my best Gideon-in-Judges-Chapter 6 voice, “…if you want me to bring this up, bring him to me. Make me run into him or something. I don’t want to search for him and interrupt his preparation in case he has to switch roles tonight. I don’t want to make it weird or annoying.” In less than 2 minutes, he passed me in the hallway in plain clothes.
OK, he must be going somewhere, so I’ll leave him be. This is small. I’ll wait, I thought.
Another passby in plain clothes.
Then another.
Then he comes into the dressing room for us to adjust his costume. He was having some fun in supporting roles since he wasn’t playing Jesus that evening.
After 8 times of either passing by him, standing near him unaware, or interacting with him in costume, I was over it.
“OK, OK! I’ll do it now!” It was the most I had randomly seen him all weekend. “This is ridiculous!” I harshly whispered to myself in the hallway.
I returned backstage (where I had passed by him the 8th time) and spilled the story of my pseudo-offended moment the night before and my divine epiphany the morning after.
He hollered with laughter because he didn’t realize he was being a spiritual instructor. He expressed his appreciation to us for working on him in record time. He said he never wants to come across as an ungrateful actor and that he admires the work of production crews. We talked about some creative experiences and I told him that I appreciated his professionalism and that I am grateful to assist creatives because I am one. We agreed that we are carriers of God’s gifts and the curators of the greatest story ever told. So, it’s an honor to do what we do.
Carlin (left) and Daniel (right) alternated the role of Jesus. Both rocked it. If you are O+, consider being a living kidney donor to Carlin.
“I don’t like to give the devil any room to grow,” I said, “and all he needs is a crack. I didn’t want this to fester in my head to something it wasn’t. So, thanks for hearing me out.”
“No problem!” he affirmed. We had a couple of laughs and ended the conversation with an introduction and handshake because we had never formally met.
“My name is Christina. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Daniel. It’s nice to meet you too.”
We parted ways and I felt like a victor.
I had attacked the enemy in two places and won both of them.
First, the lies. There was nothing for evil to tap dance on later. I cut it off at the pass with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I left that production free and clear. No residue.
Second, the lesson. I received confirmation of two words God gave me on December 31, 2022 – activate and lift.
I admit that sometimes I get stuck in analysis paralysis when God stretches me. I can churn that God-given idea so much that it no longer looks like butter. The details appear overwhelming and there I am, stuck in a stormy see of me. So, I do nothing. Then, I beat myself up for doing nothing… which then causes me to overanalyze on why I didn’t do something.
The truth is we don’t always activate what God tells us to do in real time. We don’t always move on our yes. We say we’ll do whatever the Lord says, but when He’s ready, we say wait – just like I was with the red tinge. Daniel knew when to move and he was willing to take the risk to ensure he was in place at the right time.
Maybe you’re afraid of getting it wrong or afraid of success. Maybe you’re stuck in the minutiae or feeling inept. Whatever it is, acknowledge it and take the step. Have the conversation. Write the vision (Habakkuk 2:2-4). The lift comes when you work in tandem with God’s timing. You have to stay in tune with the rhythm of your purpose.
I thank God for resurrecting my urgency to move with Him. What a tragedy it would be to stay stuck on a level after He’s ready to lift? I don’t want to be the hold up. Do you?
I didn’t think so.
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all. See you tomorrow. 🙂
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How’s your April been so far? Mine has been eventful to say the least, but let’s narrow it down to one theme – resurrection.
I know Easter is over, but the impact of its presence is yet here. One of these experiences was volunteering with the exceptional Upon This Rock Productions (referenced as UTR) based in Indianapolis, IN. So many lessons floated to the surface of my spirit while I was there this month.
I won’t attempt to put every lesson into one post. This space is too small to attempt such a feat. Instead, I plan to share a few parts over the next few days. I hope it helps.
UTR Lesson #1 – Let God grow you.
The beauty of God’s creation is that it is designed to regenerate itself. To perpetuate the “Let there be…”
So, when I stood on stage during the final curtain call, I felt like a humbled witness — a butterfly on the wall of time. Music paused to give way to the silence of grateful souls basking in the moment. It was beautiful to marinate in the fruit of obedience. A written idea turned into a shared mission which turned into 40-year production with thousands of cast and crew. The yes opened the door to a thousand ships that carried others toward their purpose.
Spoken Word.
Musicianship.
Prop Construction.
Pyrotechnics.
Internships.
Marriages.
Births.
Costume Design.
Special Effects
Hair & Make-Up
Singing.
Songwriting.
Dancing.
Choreographing.
Stage Management.
Videography.
Sign Language.
Light and Sound Technology.
And more.
Purpose. Rich, bountiful purpose that flowed from a pen into the hearts of generations. I’m so blessed to be part of something so true and tangible. Something that would feed my spirit for the rest of my life. I know the road was filled with juniper and jagged edges, but the final curtain call was worth the wait – worth the investment of tears and treasure. So, when I saw these moments, I scrambled for my phone to capture a raindrop of the majesty I felt.
Who knows what amazing things await them on the other side of this final bow. What bond they will forge or what creation will bear their names one day. The whole weekend, all I saw were seeds. I felt like I was walking through a spiritual meadow of lush green grass and a kaleidoscope of flowers. My smile kept escaping from my heart and across my lips. My gaze filled with wonder. Occasionally, a “wow” would exhale into the air.
As the directors shared their thank you’s, I stood there in awe of the power of a seed. The power of one yes. The power God gave us to regenerate ourselves through His gifts, especially His gift of Love. When God said “Let there be…,” we were intentionally included. How amazing is that?
Everything around me was proof that life lives in every seed… and that one life has seeds that can usher generations.
It’s worth the yes. When we agree with God’s timing, we fall in tandem with the maturation of those seedlings. We become eternal partners with Him.
I’m grateful for UTR and the yes that started it all. My feet stand on the proof that God keeps His promises and will walk with you on the journey to dreams beyond your imagination.
Consider purchasing a digital copy of the shows (each is dramatically different). UTR is good ground. This production just fulfilled its season, but there are more seeds coming.
Here’s to our dead places being renewed according to the Father’s timing. Here’s to our dreams being resuscitated and our next steps flourishing. Here’s to our hearts breathing in new possibilities of love and life.
May God water our yes so it may bloom forever.
I believe in us and the power of our seeds.
Thank you to my beautiful big sister Monéca S. Reid for connecting me to this tree so I can grow too.
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all! See you tomorrow! 🙂
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You’re sitting at your work desk, typing out the dreams you hope to produce while listening to a jazzy playlist.
You feel a little down with the possibility that you won’t see all of them come true. Shallow breaths flow underneath your N95 mask as you struggle through the emotional wave.
You stay distracted enough to walk past the detours of doubt, but you still feel that you should be further along in life. So to prevent from diving into that rabbit hole, you turn the music up a little and keep bobbing your head to the groove. The tapping of the keystrokes serve as pink noise and you’re officially in the zone.
Like a soft tap on the shoulder, a sweet familiar chord leaks through your earbuds. Your fingers pause. Your eyes close and a smile escapes your soul and rests lightly on your face.
Out of nowhere, an unexplainable warmth showers you from the top of your head to your feet underneath the desk. Your fingers soften and your doubts suddenly seem miniature. And you let yourself bathe in it.
I let myself float in the words of that song. Then it began to transcribe differently onto my heart. The love song no longer was about a paramour – it felt like my Father was reminding me of how special I was. The lyrics were replaced with a paternal love that was rich, real, and deep. I felt undeniably loved. Undeniably confident. Comforted, beautiful, and exquisite. I felt priceless like any princess should be.
It was an exceptional moment that filled me up at work in less than 5 minutes. While typing out my dreamy plans and feeling inadequate. The affirmation was all I needed to remember who I was more than what I did.
That’s what Love should leave you with –fullness and freedom.
It’s not about how size of the gift and how you can flaunt it on social media.
Love affirms and covers our weak areas. Love doesn’t leave a deficit. It warms our souls when life feels cold and apathetic. We don’t like to admit it, but it’s easy to get distracted by disappointment. You don’t get the call, the date, the ring, etc. It’s only because we expect from someone that isn’t designed to fill us eternally. So, we sulk around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and New Year’s if we are not spending time with people or receive their attention. In reality, it’s also hard to admit they may not value us in return.
“Love doesn’t leave a deficit.”
– C.J. Wade
You should never be a second-thought and your heart health is not contingent upon someone else.
So, depressurize Valentine’s Day. Just enjoy the Tuesday and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). Besides… next thing you know, it will be Wednesday and we’ll meet back here with 50% off candy.
You are so beautiful because God made you to be a masterpiece. Those who do not see you are simply blind to your wonder.
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all.
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I hope your January went well and your February is falling in alignment.
I don’t know about you, but it’s been a jam-packed so far. A lot of good, a wave of grief, jolts of anticipation, some foggy fatigue, and a lot of “what the what?” The second month of the year is fresh and I’m already wondering what else is in store.
From my continued health goals to smashing through internal brick walls with courageous fists, I’m in 2023 with my whole heart. All of me.
And that’s not a comfortable arena, but I’m willing to walk forward in everything God is calling me to do.
It’s official. I’ve fallen in love with my journey.
The curves, the mountaintops, the forests, the depths… all of it. All of me.
And if I unfasten my armor a little, you’ll also find traces of fear. Christians hate to admit that, but I don’t mind saying it. God already knows its there, so why not? Both co-exist in my chest at any given moment. It’s the mix of knowing your marching orders and still feeling butterflies as you take the first step. It’s taking off your security blanket and feeling the chill before the warmth.
At this point in my life, I’ve finally fallen in love with faith. I never thought I would say those words. The open space over the line of trust can be intimidating if you forget who’s on the other side… the better version of yourself. The purpose smoldering inside of your heart. The beautiful blooms waiting to break forth from the garden of your soul.
My prayer is that you fall in love with the grit because you know it’s going to make you shine.
That you fall in love with the mud because it’s where the seeds live.
I pray you hold God’s hand and fall in love.
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love y’all. 🙂
CJW
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Thank you so much for being patient with my posting gaps this year. I’ve been realigning my lifestyle and it has been WHEW! Effective yet difficult. That’s actually what I want to talk to you about.
When it’s done properly, application will ruffle your feathers and question everything you know.
It will straighten you up and make you walk properly. It will wreck your familiar and reconstruct a new normal.
And that’s what it’s been doing to me.
While I was used to writing you every Wednesday before bed, my body demanded more rest. My mind yelled for change. My spirit heard the divine directive to write earlier in the day and sometimes, days prior. “But where do I fit that in?” I asked numerous times. “I’ll just write it Wednesday night.” Yeah, we see how that turned out. What you don’t see are the multiple blog drafts where I started the message and fell asleep in the middle of production. What good did that do?
That’s not application. That’s not where growth lives.
And I’ve been allowing God to rearrange everything – from my mental furniture to my spiritual operating system. I would love to tell you that, in October, I have all the new gears running but that is a big fat NO.
I’m still working on it. I’m still digesting. I’m still getting acclimated. And I’m all in for the application.
Imagine how spiritually strong we would be if we digested every scripture we heard from every sermon. Now, imagine how gluttonous or emaciated some of us are from not allowing the Word of God to nourish our spirits. It’s crazy, isn’t it? To envision a physical representation of both spiritual extremes. To fathom the notion that we are not growing to our purposeful capacity. That as many YouTube sermons, Instagram sermon clips, bible studies, and inspirational books we consume, we are still somehow unwell. Unstable. Angry. Confused. Hurt. Longing. Wandering. Scared.
Allow me to share what I heard this week –
“You can know scripture all day long, but until you apply it – you don’t know it.“
– heard 10/17/22 @ 2:00 AM –
You can’t apply the Word like makeup. It isn’t meant to cover and disguise. It is meant to clean.
In the world of make-up artistry, an applicator is used to place or spread make-up on the body without transference to and from the make-up artist (MUA). The Word of God is designed to seep into the deepest parts of you, not spread across the surface. Until you apply it, it will sit on the surface of your heart for decades. Big Christian conferences and all.
Application requires vulnerability and annihilation of pride. It requires the ability to open your heart to change. It’s a statement. Even when you apply for a job, you’re opening your skills and schedule to meet the need of an employer. The application is a gateway agreement that states “I will share myself with you and you will share yourself with me.”
I used to tell my students that until they could explain the concept to someone, they didn’t understand it. And if they didn’t understand it, they didn’t know it. Until I saw application, I wasn’t convinced they absorbed the information. I believe God wants us to understand His Love beyond memorizing verses. I admonish you (and me) to submit your application to the Word of God. Make the statement. Surrender the contract to let the Scriptures live in your life. Only then will change come true.
That’s what I’m doing, and it’s uncomfortable and invigorating. Just like we develop physically, I am determined to constantly develop spiritually. It’s worth it. I don’t want to die in a stunted state.
My prayer for you is to be open to true spiritual growth. I pushing through the dirt just like you.
So, what are you working on?
Peace & Thanks for listening. I love you all.
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Here’s a shortstop for your week (500 words or less).
Seeds grow at different times.
I walked in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens recently and heard that in my spirit. It was like a gift I didn’t see coming. I looked around and saw all of the different types of trees, grasses, and flowers and noticed how harmoniously they lived together. I was in wonder enough, then that sentence dropped. Wow, I replied internally, that’s so true. We get so caught up on where everyone else is in life that we forget we’re seeds too and we are on separate timetables. There’s no race to the finish. No checkpoint to reach before our competition catches up. There’s not even competition around you – it’s in you. The more you focus on the growth track of those around you, you’ll stunt the growth in you… but I won’t digress. Let’s keep going. Here’s the next thing I heard.
We need to let a seed be a seed.
Seeds don’t grow into trees overnight. They take time and the right conditions. They require nutrients from the air and the soil. So that means we do too. Our environment affects our growth mindset – words said around us (air) and where we’re planted (soil). We must be patient with ourselves and each other because only God knows the timelines. He is the Master Gardener and He knows exactly what we need to grow to fill what is needed in this world. In the process, He also grows us up… and we can’t rush that. What parent looks at their children and say “Tommy, it’s March. Your sister learned to write her name in March, so you have until the end of the month.” Umm… nobody. Furthermore, you have some growing to do in an area that is probably behind someone that you know and love. We’re all seeds and I thank God that He knows what each seed needs for each season. I would totally messed this world up with too much water, sunlight, or something else. *lol*
I hope you’re having a good week. My prayer is that you are filled with pauses that make you wonder. They’re good for the soul. And if you’re in Alabama, visit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It’s a beautiful place. The pictures in this post came from my camera.
I love y’all. Stay well out there. Peace & Thanks for listening!
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Listening at the Speed of Life 