Lead

It’s hard to follow who you don’t trust. It’s hard to forgive and forget. Interesting enough, that’s exactly what God asks us to do sometimes. He asks us to do foolish things, but His word says he will use the foolish things to confound the wise. Let God lead. It’s not always going to make sense. The way will not always be clear. Sometimes, it may be lonely, but it will be worth it. Let love lead. Let your fears go. Let the past go. It's too heavy to hold onto for the journey ahead. Let joy lead. Let faith lead. Let grace lead. Let mercy lead and imagine what follows….

Lean

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

I’ve quoted this passage many times but never questioned it. I took this verse to mean to trust God blindly. Ignore my thoughts. Ignore my fears. Trust God. Don’t get me wrong, that is what this scripture is saying, but it is also saying so much more. It is saying lean into God. Lean into the word. Lean into the promises of God. Trust God. Trust your heart over your mind. Don’t overtime it. Just lean in…

Spirit

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

It’s funny how we struggle with spiritual things, yet quote scripture inspired by God. We acknowledge the holy spirit, yet deny our own spirituality. We’ve seen God move. We’ve benefited from spiritual settings. We’ve explained it away. We feel it. We know it. It’s spirit. It’s God spirit in us. We have it. We possess it. Acknowledge it. Embrace the freedom of it.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Soul

Soul has been on repeat in my house since Christmas. It has led to some very interesting conversations about life before birth as well as life after death. It’s definitely some deep subject matter. I can admit that I was a bit disappointed with the movie. I have a thing with Disney and black characters. I expected a movie about Soul to have one. My fault. I expected Disney to chime into the Black experience. My fault. Soul to me is not just a religious thing. It’s cultural. It’s soul music. It’s soul train. It’s black fists. It’s full lips. It’s afro picks and picket lines. Soul to me is grandma’s prayers and peppermints. It’s Virginia Slims and black lips. It’s braided hair and pressing combs. Soul is home, but maybe I’m just thinking about the souls of black folks, cause America sold its soul.

Sacrifice

I grew up watching Indiana Jones and all sorts of campy movies. I’m familiar with human sacrifices. I’ve seen it before. Christianity is based on sacrifice, and so are all the major religions. Self- sacrifice is Parenting 101. It’s everywhere. During war and peace, there are always sacrifices to be made. In America, we sacrifice the poor and the minority communities. We sacrifice what we don’t value. Interesting enough, God asks for sacrifices, too. God asks for the things we value. God wants our time, our tenth, and our talent. God wants our first fruits. God wants our best. What are you willing to sacrifice?

Namaste

If you've ever taken a yoga class, you are familiar with the Hindu term. It’s a common Indian term that has been used to express gratitude towards a person. I’ve heard that some people use it to acknowledge the God/spirit they see in one another. It’s a word that gives reverence. I wonder how much better off we would be if we saw God in one another. If every exchange ended with acknowledging God, what would our cities and our country look like? Namaste. A simple word with a fairly simple meaning reminded me that we are all children of the Most High and we should acknowledge that more often.

Never have I ever

There’s a popular drinking game called, “never have I ever.” Maybe some of you have played it. The point is to say something you've haven’t done, but the other players take a shot if they have done what you say you haven’t done. I know it sounds confusing as I type it. I thought it was interesting on this Inauguration Day to recognize all the “never have I ever” moments and encourage you in the midst of impeachments and inaugurations. Even in chaos, God's word rings true.

1 Corinthians 2:9KJV

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him