Heart of an Overcomer

As a photographer, I find myself drawing lessons so often from God's Creation.

This particular night was no exception. I was making my way down to the lake, gazing up, waiting for a sunset when my brother mentioned, "There'll be no sunset tonight. Look! There is no colour. It's not even worth is to take pictures now - its getting dark!"

Shaking my head, I said, "Just wait. Watch. You'll see."

At times life can be like this. The situation is bleak. The weather forecast on my future says, "rain for the next year. No sign of sun. Severe thunderstorms for your heart. Be prepared for the worst."

I give in to doubt. "LORD" I say, "I guess I better prepare for the worst. I can't see anything good on the horizon. I want to trust, but how can I when everything looks so bleak!"

But, I like to think that God patiently smiles and says, "Wait, my Child, wait and trust. I've got this."

The sunset that night was beautiful. Soft pastel skies of pinks, oranges, and faint purples.

My brother was surprised. "I should have brought my camera. There WAS a sunset after all and I couldn't tell!" As I looked up at the skies I smiled. Waiting is always the best answer to seeing the beauty of a sunset skies. The waiting is long, sometimes doesn't seem worth it, and can be frustrating, but in the end it is worth every minute of that waiting time.

So it is in LIFE. When the situation looks bleak in my life. When events pull me down, the torrential rains of doubt and trial seem to drench my soul, I should wait.

Wait on Christ, my Saviour.

For I know that nothing beautiful happens without waiting first. Nothing lovely comes to those who rush, complain, and live life with a discouraged mind-set.

Because beautiful things comes from the waiting, the pain, the trials, the rains in life.

The beautiful things we wait for could be character, a better situation, or a fresh perspective.

They could be practical heart-desires like a new home, a fresh start, a soul-mate.

By waiting and knowing that God hears the prayers and and longings of our hearts, we will see the beauty in the situation, but only when God allows it to be revealed. Perhaps He knows that we need this trial as a stepping stone to the bigger plans He has, or maybe He wants to build character and develop your heart.

Sometimes you'll see the beauty right away, maybe other times it'll be years.

But either way, if you just have to wait and pray, God will surprise you. As He surprises me so many, many times with His loveliness, holiness, and righteous judgement.

And when that happens, I am blessed beyond belief. Humbled to realize that I did not trust, when God had a plan above my own finite plans. And amazed at the beauty God can weave from the most torn and faded tapestry of my life.

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How many times have I passed by the little things? Only to go after the big ones - the big dreams, the lofty ambitions, the huge opportunities?

How many times have I aimed for the moon, falling back to earth only because I could not, would not appreciate the stars?

How many times have I not appreciated what I am blessed with already because I am too busy searching for something greater? Dreaming about something which may not be in God's plan? Not being satisfied with right now, right here - exactly where God has placed me?

For truly, it is the little moments that count. It is the time spent with family, a friend, a loved one - the laughter, the sweet words, the heartfelt talks.

It is the sunset on a warm summer evening, painted by the hand of God, telling of His unfailing love, and attention to the little details.

It is in the miracle of a butterfly - the transformation from something with little beauty to a dainty, intricate creature that makes us stop and wonder.

It is in the spiritual gifts from God that He gives to me.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

And have I forgotten about the fact that God has given me HIS love - the greatest treasure of all?

Have I forgotten that I have been placed right here, right now for a purpose of God's calling? Have I missed the whole picture in seeing only my plans, and not God's way?

___________

What about the small talents I have been gifted with now - how am I using these "little things" for Christ?

God places each of us in certain capacities, I believe, to work our characters and test our faith."What will you do with that talent I have given you?" , Jesus asks.

Just as in scripture (Matthew 25: 14-30) the man with servants gave each different talents according to their capacity, so we are given distinct and unique talents. God wants to see how we will use them.

Our goal is for Our Lord to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)

God fits us for bigger tasks by placing us with the little tasks. And it is the little tasks that shape us, and mold us for the greater ones.

If we are faithful in carrying out His mission in the small capacities that we now hold, and increasing these opportunities with our determination and faithfulness, God will open up new doors for us to walk through.

If we are pining for things that God has not revealed yet, and wish for that which we were not placed in, then how are we carrying forth the divine commission to be faithful in the few things?

My desire is that I will notice the little things in my life that God has given me. The little tasks He has entrusted in my care. And do them well. Do them with a heart tuned to the melody of heaven and eyes fixed on the cross.

My prayer is that my heart will be soft to notice when others are in need of a kind word, helping hand, or silent prayer in their behalf. When someone lonely needs a smile to brighten their day. For, I cannot know when that word in season changed a life for the better.

It's the little things that shape us, make us, and mold us into the individuals that we are.

For, it is through the "little things" that we are able to reveal the love and character of Christ and touch one soul, one heart at a time.

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Lord , I'm in the dark, Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling. No one there, the sky is falling; Lord, I need to know. My mind is playing games again, You're right where You have always been. Take me back to You, The place that I once knew as a little child; Constantly the eyes of God watched over me. Oh, I want to be In the place that I once knew as a little child... "I will rest in You"

When your mind is running ahead of God's plan, when waiting is painful and dreaming occupies your days, remember to just rest in God. Remember to be as a little child - in faith, trusting that what you do not understand right not, what you can't see, what seems to make no sense at this moment is known by our loving Heavenly Father.

There is a beauty, a peace in just resting. In saying, "Lord, I don't know much, and what I think I know is nothing compared to your infinite mind. So, I rest in Your plans, Your ways, Your love."

But this means in no way that we should stand idle. Look for that job, search for the home, pray for a soul-mate, but never lose your child-like faith and the simplicity of just resting in God's hands.

When your mind seems to be playing tricks on you, when you can't seem to see a clear path for your feet, "look up".

Just as Pilgrim in Pilgrims Progress had to look at the light above him when he went through the slough of despair so that the steps would become visible, so we should look to heaven when things become unclear and uncertain.

Open your Bible, ask Godly council, pray continually - and the way will become visible to your stumbling heart. The answer might be "wait" and that waiting time will be exactly what you need to prepare for the soul journey ahead.

But the answer will come and when it does, when the steps are illuminated - take them. Don't hesitate. Move forward confidently, for heaven has made a way for you to walk through even the most difficult situations.

Just rest, knowing that God will make a way when there's none. He will make a path when there's an ocean of impossibility between. When there's no oasis for miles around a spring will well up from the very desert. You are in good, good hands.

So trust as a child trusts its parent implicitly. "Trust and obey! There's no other way to be happy, but to trust and obey"

And rest, knowing that God has everything in His hands and is watching over you, guiding each step - each heartbeat - each breath.

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If I told you my story, you would hear hope, it wouldn’t let go.

If I told you my story, you would hear love, that never gave up.

If I told you my story, you would hear life, but it wasn’t mine.

If I should speak, then let it be of the grace that is greater than all my sin.

Of when justice was served and where mercy wins.

Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in.

Oh to tell you my story, is to tell of HIM.

My Story (Big Daddy Weave)

Each of us have a story. Each of us have a journey.

It is how we tell it that matters. Do we tell our stories and live our lives acknowledging that Jesus is the reason we have a heart which beats to His love and mercy?

When we look back, do we see God’s mighty hand as He’s woven the threads of our existence into a beautiful story? Do we tell of our victory over the enemy? Of freedom from despair?

Or do we turn back the pages, only seeing the hardship, tears, and trials while missing the obvious reminders of God’s love?

We are here only because of Jesus’ love, His sacrifice, His goodness. Through Him we have life, and breath, and hope.

Our stories are unique - so unique, that no two are the same. Each of us has a unique beginning and a beautiful life-journey where God has led us even when we couldn’t see it.

Our stories should be told, intertwined with God’s faithfulness. It’s really about perspective. What kind of eyes do we look at our journey with? Do we look with the eyes of hopelessness, letting the enemy have his way?

Or do we look with the eyes of faith and grace, shining hope and light on our life-path?

I like to think of our lives as beautiful books. Each chapter holds a new, life-changing transition and each page is beautifully written. God wrote that book. While you were being knit in your mother’s womb, God had a story for you already. He knew about that heartbreak you’d have one day, he knew of the greatest joys and the deepest sadness that would sweep your soul.

When you were born, you were perfect in HIS eyes. And as you grew and became capable of choice He watched as the choices were made. Choices that were good. It made Him so happy to see you joyful. Choices that were hurtful - to you and others. It broke His divine heart to see your pain.

But He worked with you, allowing circumstances to blow, gently pulling you towards Him.

He worked through your mistakes and made good.

When you asked Him into your heart, He rejoiced and so did all the angels.

He molded your heart. He delighted in your soul warming to His love.

Life is never a smooth road, it is never flat, easy, level. There are many uphill climbs, downhill descents, rocky terrain, and flooded plains along the way. Tears will flow - not every page in your book is happy.

Battle wounds will be inflicted - not every chapter is easy.

But God is great. His love is infinite. He’s there by your side through-out every page and for each chapter of life.

So how will you interpret your life? Victorious over the enemy? Or despairing hopelessness?

Choose light! Choose hope! Choose victory!

Even if your life so far has been mostly uphill, just trust. Jesus is your Saviour. He’s enough.

He’ll take you into the plain, into the green pastures where your soul can rest.

Life is often messy, but it is a beautiful mess covered by Jesus love, HIs grace, and His faithfulness!

So look back with thankfulness. Acknowledge how God has worked. And turn back around and face the future with wondrous expectancy, waiting for what God has in store!

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Give me your heart, give me your soul, Come to to the fountain - you can be satisfied. There’s a peace, there’s a love, you can get lost inside. Come to the fountain & let me hear you testify - NEEDTOBREATH (Testify)

We hold back, we hang on, we cling, we shrink from giving everything we know, we feel, we “need”.

Each breath is a gift. Each time we lay our heads on our pillows for the night, our breath is in God’s hands.

We may not wake to see the morning light. But each day that we do, and open our eyes to the light of another day, God’s goodness is displayed. He has sustained us. He has kept us through the night. Protected us, gave us each pulsing beat of our heart. Each beautiful breath inhaled is something that we are never sure of. We do not know when it will be taken. We do not know how long our lease on life is.

But yet we hold back. We say, “I can do this better than you, God”.

My friend, there’s no time to be holding back now. There’s no time for sitting on the fence. For saying, “Maybe tomorrow. Today I have PLANS. God, I’m not ready today.”

Can you hear the earth groan? The earthquakes, floods, fires, disasters - nature is groaning under the curse of sin. It’s taking its toll.

Can you see the upheaval of the world? As the darkness becomes denser and the light grows dimmer? As morality is destroyed, innocence is lost, purity is blackened.

Dear soul, don’t hold back, even 10%.

Your heart and soul must be given, unconditionally, completely, 100%

So what are you waiting for?

Make sure you have surrendered. Make sure you know where you stand. Be sure that you are secure.

When the winds blow and the persecution comes, you won’t be able to rely on your knowledge, your own decisions, or your own feelings. Then it will be God’s law, His infallible truth, His morality that stands the test and comes through victorious.

Once you discover God’s heart, once you discover His purity, His truth, His Laws (and Commandments) - then you will realize that ANYTHING you know is absolutely nothing. It doesn’t matter. It can’t even attempt to illuminate the recesses of the grand scheme of things.

Only through God’s spirit, His grace and power, and His love can we hope to get through the future.

Then we will have a song, we will have a peace, we will have a love, a firmness of decision that no one - no height nor depth nor any other thing can separate us from God.

—— Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 ———

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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

When things don't make sense, when our lives seem full of questions and our hearts are puzzle pieces : let go.

When the road is barely visible, when fog wraps us in the unknown and we are stumbling and trying to find answers : let God work.

Letting go means we accept the fact that we are not in control. That whatever lays ahead is in the Almighty's hands. When we can accept this then we can truly let go. (Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7)

When we realize that each breath is loaned us, that what our next breath holds is not ours to know, that God has an infinite plan for that next minute, hour, day - only then we can truly let God work.

How often we fall into discouragement and uncertainty - even anxiety- when we try to control our situations and future. We try to hold on to our frailty and instead we should be reaching out for the immortal hand which has been offered.

When we have let go and let God, we will be really living. It's a daily struggle. A daily dying to our heart desires. A daily surrender to Gods design for our life, love, and how we use each and every life-giving breath we are leased.

The offering of our hearts and concerns to our Saviour will be our very freedom from them. Then, God's love will surround us, fill us, and overflow our hearts. His mercy will be evident everywhere we go. His miracles will be looked for, pondered over, and treasured.

We will lose our me-centred attitude and will gain empathy for those around us. And then we will really see God working.

We will be a vessel which God can work in and through.

And what about our future? Well, it will be right where it belongs. Not in our weak hands, but in God hands.

And then the future is very bright indeed!

Prayer:

Dear God, I surrender. Wholly and completely. Your love is so beautiful and your plan for life is perfectly designed. Work today in me. Shine your love in me today. Help me to be confident in uncertainty knowing that you hold my life in Your hands.

Radiate your goodness outward from my life. May I be a bright star of hope in someone's dark sky. I rest in You, your peace is mine, my heart is Yours.

Amen.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:6-7}

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Each breath that I take, may it be a blessing.

Life: God's Gift

I was reminded of just how fragile and precious life is the other day.

Each breath we take, each heartbeat that beats is a precious gift, a beautiful reminder. A reminder that we are not in control. It is a blessing of God.

So what will I do with this breath that I have been given?

I was reminded of the fragility of life just recently and my heart was touched knowing that I could bring hope to another human being with a very simple gesture. You will never know what a card, smile, or simple word of encouragement will do until you’ve tried.

If we would love more, hate less, bless more, take less - our lives would be so much more full and satisfied.

The love and be loved.

To bless and be blessed.

This is what fills up our cups and overflows them. God blesses us in our lives so greatly. Our paths will definitely not be smooth the whole way, but look around. Has HE given you breath? Has HE given you a warm place to live? Family & friends that love you?

And most of all, HIS love. Hasn’t Jesus given you this as well? Didn’t He give you life over death, freedom over bondage?

In Christ we find our love, our life, our hope - why not share that with someone else?

As we touch another’s heart we not only change their lives but we ourselves are blessed.

Our lives are like wisps of smoke that come and go ever so quickly. How will you make the most of what God has given you?

How will you tell someone today, “You life is precious. Don’t give up”?

Truly, our life is a beautiful gift. What will you do with this gift?

Life: Our Mission:

Do you ever wonder as the days blend into months, the months to years, just what your mission is?

What the epiphany of life is? Why you are here?

Deep down, God has planted in each of our hearts a desire. To be something. To accomplish. To succeed.

To run the race.

As a Christian we realize our destiny. But the rain and the storms dim our eyes. Our hearts become weak. We’re not sure if we’re ever going to make it. We feel torn down, broken.

But that flame is there, flickering still. Deep in your soul, you know that you were made to run the race - the race of light over darkness, freedom over bondage. And as we go through life, we plant seeds of kindness, courage, and hope in others’ hearts.

Don’t give up. The prize is ahead, waiting just around the corner for you. This is not the end. That flame in your heart was given to you to be a shining light, so that you can fulfill your life mission: to bless, serve, and minister to others.

Courage will come in the darkest nights. You were made for this day. You were made for each day that is given you. Each breath is a gift.

And your life is unique. Only YOU can accomplish the mission you were given. Each of us were gifted with talents that we can use to God’s glory.

Will we let discouragement take us captive or take hold of Faith and let God free our hearts?

Don’t lose hope, focus on the mission at hand.

How can I BLESS Someone TODAY?

How can I REACH OUT to someone TODAY?

How can I bring HOPE to someone today?

We were all were made with a desire, a yearning to accomplish something great. And this is our ultimate mission. To become light-seekers and reflect that light of Jesus Christ to the world.

We may not find ourselves in influential positions, meeting world-changers, and making life-changing decisions. But who says that smile you just gave that sad elderly man did not bring hope back into his life? Have you ever wondered what just one kind word, smile, or simple gesture can do to the receiver’s life?

The power of our actions are unprecedented. The reach of just one smile could light up the whole town.

By blessing others, we are blessed. By loving others, we feel loved. By touching another’s hearts we light up ourselves.

So, next time you are discouraged, find someone to bless or even pray for that day. See if it doesn’t change your heart!

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Prayer:

Dear God, I surrender. Wholly and completely. Your love is so beautiful and your plan for life is perfectly designed. Work today in me. Shine your love in me today. Help me to be confident in uncertainty knowing that you hold my life in Your hands.

Radiate your goodness outward from my life. May I be a bright star of hope in someone's dark sky. I rest in You, your peace is mine, my heart is Yours.

Life: God's Gift

Life: Our Mission:

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