“Katy girl…as you continue to release, trusting in Him completely, you will be utterly amazed at what He will do with and through you. You remind me of Esther. She waited, studied, questioned as she allowed herself to be prepared. When/As she walked into her destiny she gave all, trusting completely in God fully aware that even her life was at stake. She allowed herself to be completely vulnerable and exposed…for such a time as this. God will lead you to the very place He is even now preparing you for.”
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Words stay with me. Long after they have been spoken or written I carry them along. Sometimes I really need to learn how to hit the delete button faster, but other times the words carry God-weighted goodness. The words above I’ve held in my heart for well over a year and still have the cute card. God whispered words encouraging me along the way to trust, let go of the masks, and embrace the adventure even with the risks. Whereas, the verse above is one that I am carrying, mulling it over, pondering it, holding it in my heart just since last week. When it was spoken, I didn’t recognize the context and didn’t fully see the implication.
After reading Matthew 10, I held my breath. Jesus called them each by name. Gave them a charge to go to the lost sheep. Sent them among the wolves. Gave them power to heal, cleanse, raise the dead, and cast out demons. To freely give because they had freely received. To love much because they had been forgiven much. To endure to the end even while others hate them because of His name’s sake. To remember how valuable they are and that God will take care of them. To take up their cross. To give to the little ones. To teach and preach and be like the Teacher. To speak what is given to them by the Spirit of the Father.
With the verse came the charge and the confidence that the armor (Ephesians 6) has been given for me to wear into this battle. To be like Esther knowing full well that lives are at stake–not just mine–but to trust and walk forward in obedience confidently with Him. While knowing that He has a purpose for such a time as this as well a time for preparation and becoming…wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.
b'ahava 