Division

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This scripture is a reminder that some struggles are spiritual. The spirit of division is running amok. We are divided by class and wealth. We are divided by our race. We are divided by our religion. We are divided in our homes. We are divided by our education. There is division everywhere. We need to recognize it, call it out and address it. The cure for the division is unity. It is recognizing that we are all God’s children. We all are created equal. We all bleed red. We all are the same and we have more in common than we think.

Unconditional

We put so many conditions on our life. I like you, but... I would try this, but... I don’t have time to, but... But should be removed from our vocabulary. It is an excuse. We use it all the time to justify stunting our own growth. We should learn to exist without conditions. We should learn to live unconditionally. We should learn to love unconditionally. We should learn to be unconditional.

Division

Matthew 18:19 (KJV) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

There is power in numbers. We were never meant to walk this road alone. In fact, God’s word state that when two or more are gathered in his name, what they ask will be granted. Sure, there are other stipulations, but look at the power of agreement. Our friendships have power because of agreement. Our relationships have power because of agreement. We are empowered because of agreement. Yet so many us lack this power because we want to be independent. We want to do it all by ourselves. We let division win.

Seize the Moment

We don’t always recognize the “moments” in our life until they pass. We can only hope that they were captured in a photograph and not just a memory. Everyday is filled with “moments.” Everyday is filled with opportunities and chances that could lead us in a different direction. When we are faced with life-changing decisions, those are the moments we should seize. Sometimes, you don’t need to weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes, you just need to take that leap of faith. Sometimes, you just need to lean in for that kiss. Sometimes, you just need to seize the moment.

Jealousy

My eyes are green
'Cause I eat a lot of vegetables
It don't have nothing to do
With your new friend - Erykah Badu

I learned that the difference between envy and jealousy is that envy is the emotion of coveting and jealousy is an emotion based on fear of something you have will be taken away. I used to think that envy and jealousy were one in the same. 1 John 4:18 reminds us that there is no fear in love. We can't exist in love and be jealous. We must stand on the truth that we are stewards of God’s gifts. People, relationships, family, careers and possessions are still God’s gifts to us. We can’t exist in envy either. We can’t make comparisons between our blessings and someone else’s. To exist in envy and jealousy is to exist between covetousness and fear.  2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s use that power to overcome envy and jealousy in our lives.

Profess

I want to tell you a story about a tin can. My husband and I had a friend of ours make us two custom cans with the names of our future kids on them. At the time, we were just dating. We knew we wanted to get married and have kids, but we just weren’t there yet. This can sat along side 4 other tin cans with our names on them. We celebrated anniversaries and other milestones and still the cans sat. We moved and packed the cans away without a second thought. The cans sat for years. Three to be exact. Then, on resurrection Sunday we pulled out one of those cans and stuffed it into an egg for a gender reveal.

Sometimes, we pray. We decree. We declare. We profess and nothing materializes. Our hopes and dreams sit on a shelf. We pack them away without of a second thought, because they just haven’t come to pass. Well, I’m here to tell you that one day you will unpack that dream. You will pull your “hope” off the shelf, and it will be relevant in due season. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean that God didn’t hear you. Profess your heart’s desire. God is always listening.

Outgrown

Kids outgrow shoes and clothes faster than you can buy them. People outgrow relationships. People outgrow circumstances. People outgrow things. It can be hard to navigate when you outgrow people you hold dear. It’s not like someone has hurt you or wronged you, but you are in a different place, a different mindset. If you remain, you will stunt your own growth. Unfortunately for those who have not matured, they might not see it that way, and that’s okay. You can always choose to love and support from afar. Don’t let people and relationships hinder you from where you know you belong. Accept that you’ve outgrown that relationship, but you still love the person. You are making a conscious decision to put you first.