Yes, Lord
Sometimes, Jesus allows things to happen in life that just give my heart a good 'ol doozy. I found myself serving the YWAM base in Guatemala City, Guatemala this summer, and my heart did one of those somersaults that always end up changing our direction a bit.
God, in his powerful gentleness, let me know that my plans are quite frankly dirt compared to His. I'm still piecing together words and scriptures spoken over me, so I figured I'd process them here so you can join me in the journey!
1. Vision
It's funny because my word of the year 2017 is literally vision. When God told me that in December, I wondered how it would end up playing out.
I believe what he wanted to speak over my heart is that His vision for my life is much different, bigger, more adventurous, and scarier than my own vision is (Ephesians 3:20). In pursuit of discovering and fulfilling that vision, I need to keep my eyes fixed on heavenly things (2 Corinthians 4:18). I got to the point the other day when I finally said: "Jesus, if you'd like to do something with me that isn't in 'my plan,' I'd be okay with that." That's the kind of sentence that leaves my tongue a little stiff after saying it. But I'm learning to really make that the anthem of my heart: I am willing to give up my plans and dreams, so that I may be used uniquely by the Father to grow the Kingdom.
Here's the vision He is speaking over you and me today:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
I personally think the Spanish version is even more captivating:
“«El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, por cuanto me ha ungido para anunciar buenas nuevas a los pobres. Me ha enviado a proclamar libertad a los cautivos y dar vista a los ciegos, a poner en libertad a los oprimidos, a pregonar el año del favor del Señor».” Lucas 4:18-19
2. Go
During a time of worship at the YWAM base, a lovely friend of mine spoke a word from the Lord over me: "no tengas miedo a lo que el te vaya a llamar solo dile si. Él irá contigo" (Don't be afraid of the call, just say yes. He goes with you). The verse she felt went along with that is Galatians 5:5: "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised us."
In Genesis 12, God tells Abram to literally "leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you" (verse 1). However, this intimidating mandate does not go without a promise. The Lord says to Abram, "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:2-3). Because every promise of Abraham is 'yes and amen' in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20), I receive this mandate and the promise that accompanies it.
Another word someone said over me was: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” Isaiah 52:7
Jesus, if you want to call me do something crazy, I'm okay with that.
3. Fearless
So now that I feel like there's a call on my life to do something that wasn't my "safe option" of choice, I must choose to reject the enemy's attempt to make me believe His lies of fear.
I learned a secret that I feel like you might like to be let in on: the enemy uses the lying tactic of the spirit of fear when he himself is intimidated by the death-to-life power of Jesus Christ that you and I have 100%-24/7-all day-everyday access to. When the enemy senses an opportunity for us to activate the power of Jesus, he sends out his wimpy demons to try to make us give into their make-believe identities they try to speak over you and me.
But us, dear friend, we are already claimed as full out, royal priesthood, beloved daughters, holy identities (2 Corinthians 1:22). From now on when the enemy tries to trip me up with fear, I will say "that is not my fear, that's the spirit of fear, and it does not belong to me." Turning the light switch on makes the cockroaches flee. Bringing light to the enemy's weak tactics, reminds us and him of the true life-breathing power you and I carry.
When I need to address an opposing spirit, I can turn "the light" on by saying, "do you see who's standing behind me?," in the calmest, most confident voice. Because the reality is that NO WEAPON, that's right, NO WEAPON, formed against me can prosper (Isaiah 54:17). And the Spirit hovering over me is the One who breathes life, heals the blind, frees the captives, and defeats death (Isaiah 26:19).
Someone else gave me a word that was just straight up, "God did not give you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of boldness." It doesn't get much clearer than that, friend. You and I need to stop acting like somehow we got possession of the spirit of fear (Isaiah 52:2). It does not belong to us. Drop it like it's hot, baby (sorry if you were just scarred by the fact I said that).
4. Power and Authority
Lots of people have power, but only our Jesus has authority. The enemy should be afraid of me, because I walk in that authority.
How do you know a police officer has authority? The uniform!! It's the same in the kingdom of heaven, our uniform of the armor of God and gifts of the Spirit signifies to the enemy the power and authority that we carry (Ephesians 6:10-18).
5. Life
Now then, how do I live? Knowing that Jesus would like to make an adjustment in my path, I keep my ears tuned to the Spirit, and my eyes ready to identify situations in which I can invite the Spirit to move.
I don't know what's next. It could be crazy. It could be "normal." But now that it's not up to me, I feel much more at peace. Here's my plan: delight in Jesus. Meditate on His word and His voice. Let Him do the heavy lifting. Say yes, even when I feel like sprinting in the other direction.
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
I'm claiming this other verse that someone spoke over me:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
Jesus, here's my senior year. Do what you want with it. I want to see you move. I want to run, full-speed, out of my comfort zone and into the zone where you are in complete control. Let's run. You lead, I'll follow.
I say: yes.
What will you say?
