 | "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Yesterday I kayaked a section of the Savanah River in Augusta, GA. I have zero kayaking skills. Even so, my host graciously indulged me. It's definitely my idea of a good time. The river is broad and strewn with rocks, and in places there are roars suggestive of waterfalls ahead. My host kayaking behind me assured me otherwise, but even Class 1 rapids can dump a kayak if wedged sideways, or otherwise stuck. I could feel my stomach tense up, my adrenaline release, and my determination focus as I led our path through uncertain waters. |
The Father's Assurance in the Midst of Challenges
The moment I emerged into the calm, my phone rang.
I took a deep breath of relief with risk behind me, and answered.
On the line was one of the heavy hitters I took with me last month for Kingdom expansion pioneering work in North Borneo. She related that God spoke my name to her, and directed her to call me with an immediate message:
"I see you as the trophy. You are victorious. You are fully capable. You are well equipped. You are a leader. He is so pleased with you. Again, you are the trophy...you are His champion."
I was stunned. Timing is everything.
Then last night, as I'm sharing with my host my vision for founding a non-profit to bring autism intervention to developing nations, discussing setting up the board, the same feeling hit my stomach: rapids ahead, uncertainty, a mission seemingly without the skill set, but determination.
Immediately the affirming word returned, "His trophy, His champion, victorious, capable, equipped". His word had imprinted, and now is triggered with the internal feeling I get when approaching rapids in a kayak.
I thought of Gideon threshing his wheat while hiding from his enemies in a vat. God addressed him as "O valiant warrior!" And truly he was.
What rapids are you approaching that turn your stomach a bit, that threaten to tumble you upon the rocks?
Listen intently for the affirmation God is poised to speak into your spirit at that very moment, to imprint upon you that indeed, you've got this. He is with you with every thrust of your oar.
I took a deep breath of relief with risk behind me, and answered.
On the line was one of the heavy hitters I took with me last month for Kingdom expansion pioneering work in North Borneo. She related that God spoke my name to her, and directed her to call me with an immediate message:
"I see you as the trophy. You are victorious. You are fully capable. You are well equipped. You are a leader. He is so pleased with you. Again, you are the trophy...you are His champion."
I was stunned. Timing is everything.
Then last night, as I'm sharing with my host my vision for founding a non-profit to bring autism intervention to developing nations, discussing setting up the board, the same feeling hit my stomach: rapids ahead, uncertainty, a mission seemingly without the skill set, but determination.
Immediately the affirming word returned, "His trophy, His champion, victorious, capable, equipped". His word had imprinted, and now is triggered with the internal feeling I get when approaching rapids in a kayak.
I thought of Gideon threshing his wheat while hiding from his enemies in a vat. God addressed him as "O valiant warrior!" And truly he was.
What rapids are you approaching that turn your stomach a bit, that threaten to tumble you upon the rocks?
Listen intently for the affirmation God is poised to speak into your spirit at that very moment, to imprint upon you that indeed, you've got this. He is with you with every thrust of your oar.
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