Tag: #faith

Love and Son Shine: All you need to grow in Grace

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Wake-up calls are rarely pleasant when we’re going through them. Still, tragedy often changes our perspective, which can lead to some of the most meaningful seasons of our lives if we remain attentive. What if what you are experiencing is guiding you toward God’s purpose for your life?

Since my life-changing accident in 2013, which I see as a wake-up call after spending many years sleepwalking through life without considering what God wanted for me, I started reflecting on how many lives might have been affected by tragedies and near-death experiences. If my year of losing loved ones and enduring multiple personal injuries changed my life, then how much more could larger events impact others?

As terrible as 9/11 was, I wonder how many new, life-changing perspectives emerged among those who escaped. Not to glorify the tragedy in any way, but to thank God for bringing good out of it (Romans 8:28, ESV). Many, like me, probably reevaluated their priorities and found a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude that can only be credited to God. As a result, many individuals often start a divine relationship for the first time in their lives, transforming everything—from how they see daily life and the breath in their lungs to how they evaluate their choices and the consequences that follow.

In Christianity, Romans 8:28 is often understood as a powerful promise that assures believers that God is working in all circumstances for their ultimate good. However, it’s crucial to understand this verse within its broader context and avoid misinterpretations.

  • Ultimate Good: The “good” mentioned in the verse doesn’t necessarily refer to immediate comfort or material wealth. Instead, it mainly relates to spiritual growth, becoming more like Christ, and ultimately, salvation and glorification. Difficult circumstances are seen as opportunities for God to strengthen faith and develop a Christlike character.
  • Comprehensive Promise: “All things” in this verse are generally understood to include every circumstance, even pain and suffering. This doesn’t mean God causes bad things, but rather that He can use even negative situations for the eventual good of believers and the advancement of His purposes.
  • Focus on God’s Glory: Ultimately, this verse also points to God’s glory. By working all things together for the good of believers, God reveals and magnifies His power and love.

Things Romans 8:28 does NOT mean:

  • It does not guarantee a trouble-free life (John 16:33)
  • It does not mean that all bad things will be reversed or have happy endings in this life.
  • It does not justify suffering or suggest that believers should not grieve or seek help in difficult times.
  • It does not promise that believers will always get what they want or desire.

Essentially, Romans 8:28 gives believers reassurance and hope during life’s challenges. It encourages them to trust that God is working, even when they can’t see it, to bring about a greater good in their lives and for His overall plan. This good emphasizes their spiritual growth and eternal destiny, not just earthly comfort.

After going through the fire, I experienced a miraculous wake-up call of epic proportions that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Still, the outcome is worth it. I continue to be in awe of an amazing God who loves us despite our sin. He did not wait for me to clean myself up – there is not enough soap in the world for that. Just like a waterlily, a beautiful bloom that emerges from the mud, God’s love and Son Shine helped me grow in grace.

As challenging as that year of tragedy was, I emerged with renewed passion for my purpose in life, according to God’s plan, not mine. I was submerged in the life-giving waters of baptism for the second time in my life; not that the first one didn’t count, but this one was an adult decision that brought genuine freedom, broken chains, and joyous surrender to the One who rescued me.  

My story isn’t over, and neither is yours. If God can use someone like me, I know He can use you too.

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14, New International Version, Emphasis added)

It Starts with LOVE

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I find it fascinating that the Bible records two people as being “taken by God” and therefore, not seeing death. Enoch and Elijah share this wonder (Gen. 5:22;24; 2 Kings 2:1-12, ESV). Hebrews mentions Enoch in the ‘Hall of Faith’. The author makes a not-so-giant leap in recognizing that he must have had faith, because he was recorded as having pleased God. Without faith, Hebrews 11:6 says, this is impossible.

Forget wishful thinking; genuine faith is a continuous, confident hope rooted in the promises of an all-powerful God who made Himself known through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:1). It’s more than just believing He exists; it’s a profound certainty in His faithfulness to keep His word and bless those who follow Him (Hebrews 10:35, 11:26, 10:23, 11:1).

Enoch’s journey with God, as described in Genesis 5:21-24, portrays a profound and continuous intimacy. In return for such devotion, God extends His unwavering grace, guaranteeing the perseverance of His own.

When God’s love is within us, it gives us the desire to love and please God (Matt. 11:28). “If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12, Emphasis added). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines “perfect” as being whole or complete. To be perfected in love is not to say that we are perfect, but God is perfect, and His love in us makes us complete, lacking nothing.

It all starts with love. God’s overarching love for us, revealed through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, helps us cultivate hope and faith, which in turn enables God’s love to reside within us. Couple that with an intimate relationship with Christ, and it leads to a desire to please God above all else.

Elijah obeyed God but fled in fear for his life afterward (1 Kings 19:9). When his anxieties got the best of him, he hid in a cave to avoid certain death. God showed up in a gentle whisper to comfort him. God informed Elijah about his predecessor, Elisha, whom he would pass on his cloak of leadership as a prophet (1 Kings 19:16). God then spared Elijah from seeing death by taking him up to heaven (2 Kings 2:1-11).

The book of Malachi foretold the coming of a prophet who would precede the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). This wasn’t a prophecy that demanded Elijah himself reappear. Instead, it spoke of a legacy—a spiritual inheritance.

John the Baptist, arriving “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), embodies this fulfillment. His ministry, characterized by a fervent call to repentance and preparation, mirrored the impactful and unyielding prophetic work of Elijah of old. Thus, the ancient prophecy found its powerful realization not in Elijah’s physical return, but in a successor who carried his fiery torch, preparing the way for Jesus.

Although John the Baptist, beheaded by the king’s orders, was not miraculously spared from death, as Elijah was (Mark 6:27), his ministry and legacy as a forerunner to Christ still bore a resemblance to that of Elijah.

Upon reflection, it occurred to me that being taken up by God, without seeing death, could be a blessing promised to believers who are still alive when Christ comes back. End times are shrouded with mystery, but Jesus says two will be together, one left and one taken (Matt. 24:40). We don’t know for sure which one is taken, the believers or non-believers, nevertheless considering verse 31, which records Jesus words, God will send his angels with a loud trumpet call. The elect from the four winds, from each end of heaven, will be gathered. This, along with Paul’s writings, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17, Emphasis added), leads me to the conclusion that God takes up the elect. What a delightful image.

All the mysteries tend to make us fearful. To echo Paul, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18, Emphasis added). In other words, even with the unknown variables about end times, this teaching about Christ’s return should result in comfort and encouragement for believers, rather than fear, which is Paul’s goal in these passages (ESV Study Bible Notes).

It starts with love.

“If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12, Emphasis added).

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18, Emphasis added).

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, Emphasis added).

Gaps only God is meant to fill

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Do you have a neighbor or acquaintance that you see, but haven’t gotten to know on a personal level? Do you find yourself letting your imagination fill in the blanks about their character and story based on their behavior or things you have heard?

We tend to make up stories about people until we get to know them and have our myths busted. I confess, I do this quite often; sometimes without realizing it, until I’m confronted with reality – the truth.

There is a man in our neighborhood whom I see regularly when I go for a run. He is usually loading his lawnmower onto his trailer as I run past. We say, ‘good morning’ and that’s about it. Other than that, I don’t know him. From observation, I can tell you that he mows lawns for a living. I will spare you the details I’ve concocted about the rest of his story. However, I will say that I saw something one morning recently that contradicted my beliefs. Hence, this message came to life. I still don’t know him or the truth, but my perspective on him and his character has shifted slightly.

This made me think about our relationship with God. I believe we are guilty of doing the same thing until we learn to know Him intimately, learn more about His character, and who He says we are.

We can know things about Him and hear the stories others tell about their experiences, and perhaps we ride on the coattails of our parents until one day they are gone. Then what? We may live vicariously through others or fill voids in our lives with false beliefs. Still, until we open the Book of God’s story and ask Him to reveal Himself to us by starting a conversation that leads to a real relationship with Him, we won’t understand who we are, nor will we reflect His love or character. We won’t experience a relationship with God of our own until we pursue it daily. Maybe some are like me, and I didn’t know how to do that or that it was possible until a few years ago, after a life-changing event. That is when I found my passion for teaching others about a relationship with Christ.

A few years ago, while traveling alone, I was on a layover in an airport and met a woman whom I had the chance to give my testimony about finding a relationship with God and how it changed my life. She questioned me about it at length, “You mean that is real, you can have a relationship with God?” I felt that she had longed for it for most of her life, as she shared bits and pieces of her story and mentioned that she had wondered about it but had not experienced it to this point.

This was a divine encounter as I had prayed for God to put people in my path on this trip who needed to hear my story. I was in line to purchase my lunch and planned to take it back to my seat at the gate, but God had other plans. As the woman in front of me received her food, she turned and asked if I thought we could sit at the tables in the distance. Without hesitation, I said we could try as I followed her to the tables. It wasn’t long before she asked about the purpose of my trip, and our conversation about God followed.

I pursued the wrong things to fill the gaps in my life for many years until I finally found the only One who was meant to fill them – Jesus Christ.  I am grateful that God uses my painful stories to bring the Good News to others.

Are there voids in your life that only God is meant to fill?  Have you pursued a life-changing relationship with Christ? You are never too old to start. God is waiting with open arms for your surrender. It may seem challenging, but it’s worth it; you’re worth it. God loves you fiercely.

The verse in 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (New International Version (NIV).

According to Bible Study Tools, “God is not passively observing but actively seeking out individuals to support and empower. The verse highlights God’s desire to strengthen those who are sincere and wholehearted in their faith, according to some Bible commentaries. This suggests that God is not looking for perfection, but for genuine devotion.”

Ditch the Familiar, Discover Your Best

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Recently, I decided to change my running route – the one I’ve done practically since I’ve lived here – to a different one. On the first day of the new route, I had my mind on prayers and other things. Naturally, I followed my familiar routine, which had become prominent and overrode my initial intention. It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I realized it.

The next day, I had to make a conscious effort to go in a different direction, being mindful of the change I had committed to. It’s not easy, and some days I still revert to the old one.

Breaking old habits is difficult. Routines become familiar and comfortable. I once read that it takes sixty-six days to break a habit; the key is replacing it with something new. Hopefully, something better and healthier, rather than those that do not honor us or God. We must be intentional about breaking out of our comfort zone to explore new and better choices for ourselves.

The idea that it takes sixty-six days to break a habit is a well-known figure in popular psychology, stemming from research. A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology by Phillippa Lally and her colleagues at University College London found that, on average, it took participants 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This number can vary.

It’s hard to step away from the familiar, even if we know it’s harmful. Still, we must do our part to replace our old ways with new, healthier, God-honoring choices. When we choose to serve God instead of our flesh, the Holy Spirit helps us change.  In the book of Colossians, Paul provides examples of putting off the old self and replacing it with the new self, much like putting on and taking off clothes. As believers, a change in identity has already occurred, but our conduct needs to be brought into line with this new identity. We stand before God as His beloved holy ones and are to live up to what we are in Christ (Col. 3:1-17, ESV). (There is a list of virtues listed here that are worth reading if you haven’t lately.)

Emulating the virtues of Christ and adopting a holy lifestyle consistent with our new identity is paramount to living our best lives. Our old selves were crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:6). We always have a choice. God always provides a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13). Still, it takes intentionality and discipline to make better choices consistently.

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!  Amen” (Jude 1:24-25, NLT, Emphasis added).

Protection and Promises

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God’s promises are sprinkled throughout the Bible, encouraging us not to give up.  When Moses questioned his ability to carry out God’s plan, lead the Israelites, and ask God’s name, God reassured him, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14, ESV, Emphasis added). He instructed Moses to tell the people I AM sent me—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:14).  

In Hebrew, “I am” can be translated as “I will be.” In context, verse 12 records God telling Moses He will be with him. The name Yahweh (the Lord) also reminds us of God’s promises to His people and His help fulfilling their calling. God’s name indicates His character and attributes (ESV Study Bible notes, Exodus 3:14).  

Later, when Joshua took leadership, God gave him a notable task and told him to “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). God doesn’t give orders and leave Joshua to his own devices. He gave a daunting task, yes, but He framed it with promises: “I will be with you” (v. 5) and “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (v. 9). These examples indicate a compassionate God who will never leave us.

Besides the promises and the task, God also shows Joshua how to succeed by not turning from the Lord’s instructions, which are integral to who he is and what he does. Likewise, we are given instructions to live by; a role model in Jesus Christ, to imitate, and promises to help us stay strong and courageous.

Peace comes from God’s love inside us. Stress and worry are not of God. Believe and receive the goodness of God. Faith captures the essence of God in a believer’s heart. He is undeniably for us. We do not need to fear, because the Lord is our helper (Heb. 13:6). We can trust in the One who holds eternity in His hand. He promises never to forsake us (Ps. 94:14). The hiccups in life are only temporary.

If we face a task God gives us, we can step out in faith, knowing He will not leave us to pursue it alone. He will open and close doors to guide our path. It is vital to remain in communion with Him, asking that His will be done.

We can lean on the promise that Christ is coming back for us, as John records Jesus’ words, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am preparing a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:1-3, Emphasis added).  

Sweet promises that sustain us until that day comes. We can find rest in these assurances.

For the last few years, I have been able to hold on to a personal promise, which I pass along to other abuse survivors: You are a beautiful flower in My garden. I send rain and sunlight to nurture you and help you grow. You are protected under the care of the Master Gardener, never to be plucked and taken away from Me again.

How are we to live in light of these promises?

Freely and joyfully, living life to the fullest, showing others the way of Christ in love. Our eternal perspective changes our attitude, as we are charged to keep our focus on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). We can listen for God in the day-to-day tasks and show the love of Christ to everyone we meet. Don’t get caught up in the minutia; be Kingdom-minded, doing them for God instead of men (Col. 3:23).

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4, Emphasis added).

Beyond the Storm: Cultivating a Relationship with God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Do you have family members or friends who only reach out when they need something from you? How do they make you feel? Does it affect your relationship with them?

If the relationship consistently lacks mutual benefit and is heavily one-sided, it could understandably lead to feelings of being used or taken for granted. This kind of dynamic can strain and potentially weaken relationships over time, as trust and mutual support are essential for healthy connections.

How does that compare to when you go to God? Are you only making time for Him when you’re in desperate need?

Reflection on our relationship with God is necessary to be mindful not only of turning to Him during storms to ask for help, but also of thanking Him daily, moment by moment, for the breath in our lungs and all that He has given us. Not only that, but we are to thank God in all circumstances (1 Thes. 5:18, ESV), not just the good ones.

In the Bible Reading Plan, Yellow Balloons: Perspective in the Valley, Tim Dunn offers this insight, “We are demanding blessings without any real knowledge of The Blesser.” He follows that up with a powerful question of what it would look like for us to truly pursue God for who He is – The One who can give us more than we could ever imagine.

Ultimately, God reigns and can turn any circumstance for the better (Rom. 8:28). This is where trust and faith are paramount but can only be experienced through an intimate relationship with our Father and a heart that seeks after God in all things.

Just as consistent communication and appreciation nurture human relationships, cultivating a regular practice of thankfulness can deepen our spiritual connection.

Challenge: Be aware of how many times you acknowledge God this week and express your gratitude to Him. Gratitude isn’t just a response to significant events but a continuous posture of the heart. A grateful heart knows many blessings.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes. 5:18, ESV, Emphasis added).

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jer. 29:13, NLT, Emphasis added).

Everything for the Glory of God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

In my blog last week, I mentioned a message based on 1 Corinthians 10:31, which states that whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. Everything was created by God and for His glory (Rom. 11:36; Rev.4:11); Creation’s purpose is to reveal God’s glory and power.

Simply said, we are to let our actions reflect God’s character and nature.

Let us take a moment to ask ourselves and God if we are doing anything contrary to this – let’s be honest with ourselves – and allow God to reveal anything that is not bringing Him glory. Let’s ask Him to help us remove it. Every aspect of our lives has the potential to honor God. We can trust God to remove anything that hinders us from bearing fruit in our lives.

Jesus highlights this analogy with the fig tree. From a distance, the tree’s green leaves gave it the appearance of being fruit-bearing, but it wasn’t. Jesus cursed the tree, and it withered (Mark 11:12-14; 20-26). We are meant to get rid of what doesn’t produce fruit in our lives.

The ESV Study Bible records that the cursing signifies the judgment of God on fruitless Jewish people who turned away from God into empty ritual and legalism (Hos. 9:10-17). This visual parable from Jesus illustrates His relentless pursuit of the genuine fruit of worship, prayer, and righteousness within the Jewish nation and its religious practices.

We can bear fruit in our lives, even amid turmoil and morally confusing situations. We always have another option, rather than giving in to temptations. There is always another choice. God always provides a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). After Paul enlightens us to this truth, he goes on in verse 14 to say, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Let’s substitute ‘because’ here. Because God always provides a way of escape from temptation, we should flee from idolatry. We have a choice.

Idolatry takes on many forms. Essentially, anything we prioritize above God or in His place is an idol in our lives. God is to be first over everything. Therefore, everything in our lives should bring glory to God.

I wish I had known this years ago. When we think we only have two options, we make bad decisions. I use a cheesecake analogy with the women in the support group I lead – if we’re hungry and all we have is cheesecake, we’ll eat it. Even if we know it isn’t healthy for us. We may enjoy cheesecake, but it is not a sustainable option. Don’t settle for the cheesecake when God offers a whole banquet at the palace of a King.

We need to be informed to make the best decisions. If we aren’t in God’s Word, learning about His character and the truth of what He says about us and what He wants for us, we will make ill-informed decisions based on what is in front of us, which can sometimes be detrimental to our well-being.

Don’t settle for anything less than God’s best. In other words, don’t compromise integrity for momentary pleasure.

Back to the Garden of Eden, humans used fig leaves to hide from God, after the first sin occurred (Gen. 3:7). If we are not producing fruit in our lives, no amount of greenery (or the appearance of doing good) will hide us from God. We can make better choices for a better life. We can reach our highest potential with God’s help – a life that Glorifies Christ, in the light of God’s truth about us and who we are in Him.

As believers, we are daughters and sons of the King. Let us live like it and bring Glory to God through the fruit in our lives. A life that produces fruit is the best testimony to Jesus Christ.

“You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons” (1 Cor. 10:21, emphasis added).

The Sabbath: A Gift from God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, ESV, Emphasis added).

Have you taken time to ponder this? The Sabbath is a day of rest that God created as a gift for spiritual refreshment. It is a time to spend with God. God gave us a model for rest after He created EVERYTHING (Gen. 2:2-3). It symbolizes the Heavenly rest to come (Heb. 4:1-11). The day was created to glorify Himself.

There have been many debates over which day of the week is to be considered the “Sabbath” day for rest. Not only that, but Jesus was met with opposition over healing and harvesting food on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17). Regulations that were not imposed by God but by religious leaders, who, according to The Holman Bible Dictionary, created their own laws and expanded prohibitions, such as banning the untying of knots, to the point that they lost their original spirit but satisfied legal requirements (Brand, 1396).

Jesus showed us that love for others was more important than the laws. He observed the day as a day of worship (Luke 4:16), but His failure to comply with the minute restrictions brought conflict. Jesus didn’t come to please man, but God.

The first Christians, as recorded in Acts 13:14, met on the first day of the week, which was also the Sabbath, to proclaim Christ on the day of His resurrection (Matt. 28:1; Acts 20:7). They viewed the Sabbath and other matters of the law as a shadow of which Christ is the substance (Col. 2:16-23). It meant more to Jesus to help someone in need than to hold by traditional restrictions, not created by God.

Following the establishment of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, Sunday was officially declared a day of rest. (Brand, 1027).

For many, Sunday is just another day, or just part of the weekend before they must return to work. For others, it is a holy day, set aside for God, and a day they attend church. Others recognize Saturday as the day of rest and worship.

I don’t think the specific day matters as much as the time set aside each week to rest in the presence of an almighty God, praise Him, find spiritual refreshment, and enjoy the gift in honor of Christ. Jesus often escaped the crowds to spend time alone with God.

That can look different for each person, but in my experience, the times I spend it in nature, enjoying God’s creation, are more peaceful and rewarding, bringing a deep sense of rest for body, mind, and spirit than vegging on the couch watching TV.

The challenge is to make an intentional choice to spend time with God, whether it’s in nature, through activities like running, walking, kayaking, hiking, or fishing, or simply sitting quietly in a favorite chair or rocker on the back porch; some may find rest in their garden, digging dirt, or mowing the lawn.

A while back, you may recall, I found my deep Sabbath rest floating in a kayak on a serene lake after a busy week. Whenever and wherever you find yours, the important thing is to escape the busyness of our daily lives and intentionally focus on God, our Creator, thanking Him for the gift of rest and refreshment. The point is that we all need a deep Sabbath rest that connects us to the Creator.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31, Emphasis added). *This may be another message soon.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24, Emphasis added).

Perseverance to Make it Home

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I could excel on the hills when I ran races, picking up my pace. This burst of energy allowed me to catch up with others who slowed or stopped, which may have helped me place somewhere near the top in a few of them. I dug in my heels and pushed on when the race was more difficult.  That was my strength. A message was forming in my head as I reflected on this while running the other morning. When the path before us gets tough, we need to persevere and press on. That may be a theme, as I have overcome many obstacles.

This verse came to mind, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1, ESV, Emphasis added).

It was a good day. I felt it in my bones that I would run the whole route without stopping. Over halfway there – just as I felt confident – I stepped on a rock, turned my ankle, and hit the pavement; my knee and hand getting the brunt of the road rash. Thankfully, not breaking any bones.

Was this part of the message? I believe so. Just as we begin to be confident in our walk with God, the enemy throws a stumbling block in our path to trip us up. With that in mind, I got up, kicked the rock off the road, did a brief mental scan of my injuries, and kept running all the way home.

When we know God is with us and hold to the straight and narrow path, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, emphasis added), we can kick Satan out of the way and keep running, all the way home, to one day see Jesus where He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Some messages are more painful than others, but God can use all of them for His good and glory. My life is full of painful messages, sharing them can help others, making it worth it.

To God be the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28, emphasis added).

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14, emphasis added).

Run with Abandon

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

How do we get to the point that we can run with abandon – because we are always in step and never off track? This is the definition of sure-footedness, but how do we achieve it?

Habakkuk writes about having confidence in God and living at heights even in extreme circumstances (Hab. 3:19, ESV).  The same sentiment is written in 2 Samuel: “He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights” (2 Sam. 22:34, Emphasis added).

Amid life’s challenging mountains, we can still find a secure footing because of our confidence and trust in God. It starts with the fruit in our lives. If we are not bearing spiritual fruit, we will not be secure and are in danger.

Jesus demonstrated to the disciples with a fig tree what happens when we are not bearing fruit. From a distance, the tree looked fruitful; it had green leaves, indicating it should bear figs. Upon closer inspection, however, there was no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree, and it withered. This was indicative of the Jewish people of Jesus’ time who appeared to be bearing fruit but were not (Mark 11:12-14; 20). We can trust God to remove whatever is hindering us from bearing fruit. It begins in our hearts. Still, we must be willing to make the changes and allow God to work in our lives.

I remember years ago when I was miserable, mostly with myself, that I changed jobs to get a fresh start and escape some temptations. I did try to start over, but I was still the same inside, so the same problems presented themselves.

Wherever you go, there you are.

Real change can only happen inside our hearts, with God’s help. Only Jesus can truly change our character. We must want the change and ask for His help. Again, we are meant to eliminate what does not produce fruit. Only then can we run with abandon.

We can ask God to expand our hearts and help us perceive His truth (Psalm 119:32). The Psalmist speaks the language of one ravished with moral beauty – to which there is only one fitting response – to reproduce this beauty or attempt to – in one’s daily life. Not for perfection, but only a yearning, trust, and dependence on God (Ps. 119, ESV Study Bible notes).

I often ask God to reveal anything that needs to change or be removed in my heart to make more room for the Holy Spirit. This can be summed up as being God-inside-minded. It is about shifting our primary focus from the external world to the divine reality residing in believers, with a conscious connection with the Holy Spirit as a source of wisdom, love, and power.

It took me several years to figure out the root of my misery, but once the Holy Spirit transformed my heart, my life changed forever.

I don’t just want the outside to appear fruitful; I want the inside to match so that my life reflects my gratefulness for what Christ rescued me from. I finally removed my mask. That life is gone, and I want nothing to do with anything that resembles it. It was not bearing fruit and withered away at the mighty hand of Jesus upon my confession of faith (Rom. 1:16-17; Heb. 10:22-23).

Is there anything hindering you from bearing fruit? Ask God to reveal it to you and be willing to accept the change that will follow so you can run with abandon to the life God created for you. Take it from me: Wearing masks is a miserable existence. But running – that is where it’s at. Even though I don’t always get it right, I trust God to correct me and cut off anything in my life that is not bearing fruit for His Kingdom—everything for the Glory of God.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105, emphasis added).