Chris and I had a conversation not long ago about what I had walked through with my health. Not only was that season a long and difficult one, but the previous couple of seasons before were also hard. I am coming out of a near 6- or 7-year wilderness. I know in the depths of me that God uses such seasons to change us, to grow us, and to display His glory. The conversation Chris and I had circled around the questions: What’s changed in you? What is it that God did in you? I wrestled because I couldn’t really point to anything. Life is great right now. I have an easy joy. I am happy. I am free. But I was those things before the upheaval. I couldn’t really put a finger on a “thing” until this morning.
We are in the middle of some significant battles for our property right now. Friends, the enemy doesn’t want Destiny to prosper. There is no detour around that fact. I’ve been busy walking our team through the obstacles and doing the things that need to be done. In worship this morning it landed on me like an ocean breeze on a perfect summer day… I have won the battle in my mind. It is no longer even a war. My emotional and mental resolve is automatic. I don’t have to work for it. I don’t have to rally my strength. My gift of faith has been restored, not just that, it’s reinforced, more mature, and more palpable. I have a greater freedom, and I was living pretty free before. I am stronger.
I am living a personal revival in the presence of my enemies. I am feasting at a table in the middle of conflict. I have apprehended things that I could not hold before. The voice I lost pales in contrast to the resounding voice of peace and hope inside of me. God built me (through the fire) for this.
God is a consuming fire. He leaves nothing untouched. The person who puts all of themselves at His feet can be assure that He will consume it all, but what He gives in return is without compare. He does for us what we could never do on our own. He takes what looks broken beyond repair and He makes it something entirely new, and fresh, and strong. The person who holds back misses goodness that they know nothing about. They miss what could be. What could be amazing. What could be mind-blowing. What could be life changing. What could be otherworldly. They miss freedom. They miss joy unspeakable.
I’m so glad I didn’t miss this.