Dear Sister, our lives are made up of a series of beautiful
and profound chapters that are filled with grace and touched with the
inexplicable love of God. These chapters are filled with characters, lessons,
experiences and activities that vary in time and intensity. Whatever chapters
we find ourselves in, we are encouraged to trust the best-selling author of
this Universe – God.
Chapters You Never Want
to End: There are
chapters that crackle with excitement and mellow-drama. They are fast paced and
filled with quirky moments. Prosperity, success and pure bliss define the
rhythm of these chapters. Be it the birth of a child, the joy of obtaining a
new job, the purity of a new relationship, the victory of achieving a new goal
– this is a chapter filled with memorable moments. Sister, if like Job, you can
declare, “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence
watched over my spirit” (Job 10: 12), lift up your thankful soul and offer a
sacrifice of praise to God for these chapters of favor.
Chapters You Desire to
End: You may also find yourself in a chapter that you
deeply and desperately desire to end - like a boat on a tormented sea, you find
yourself being tossed and turned by the monotony or inactivity of this chapter.
You may insert every literary device, character, or conflict into the plot so
that it can abruptly end, but know that this chapter is one where your strength
is being tested, your faith wings are being developed, your character is being
molded, your heart is being transformed and your mind is being renewed. This is
a chapter of rebirth and growth so “consider it pure joy…. sisters, whenever
you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1: 2) Don’t become discouraged and close
your heart to what God is completing within you.
Chapters You are Afraid
of Beginning: Then
there are chapters that usher a new experience into our hearts and minds. We become
afraid of moving through the pages and remain stuck on the outskirts of a new
experience with fear-riddled hearts. Sister, if you are filled with fear of the
unknown – a new career decision, an upcoming endeavor, starting a new ministry,
moving to a new location – put your hand in God’s nail pierced hands and
surrender to the newness that is ahead for you. ("But blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17: 7) You are
not walking into a fog of the unknown but you are walking into a blessed future
with God. I encourage you to let go of fear.
Chapters You are Afraid
of Ending: You may
not want a chapter to end so you continue writing - thinking that your writing,
directing, manipulating and plotting will arrest the characters, change the
formula of the plot and prevent the chapter from ending. You don’t desire to
let go the scenes that take your breath away or the high octane narrative that
draws you or the characters that have added beauty to your life. It is often
painful accepting that a chapter so rich and healing, passionate and inspiring,
beautiful and blessed can come to an end. Sister, let go with grace for the
Lord has seen it fit for this chapter to end for a blessed reason.
No matter the chapter you are walking through I encourage you
to trust the perfect author of your life, God, for He is penning a bestseller
story that is filled with chapters that flow
with purpose, grace, and passion. The author of your life’s story has never
written a disappointing storyline to date and He will not start now. Your
greatest joy is in knowing Him and beholding the richness of every chapter He
unfolds in your life.
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