Burning

In this 21st century exposition of earthly injustice, I am renewed in my passion to advance health equity to ensure Black Americans live long, healthy lives. 

I burn with zeal for change and restoration.

Moses burned with zeal to right wrongs committed against his people. 

When commissioned by God at the site of the burning bush (Exodus 3), Moses received revelation about who he was and who God is. God even told Moses the inheritance the Israelites would receive as they plundered the Egyptians; they were destined to be people of favor.

We're often commissioned by prophetic words or the deep righteous yearnings we experience. Our activation requires a reveal of our identities in Christ, a renewed understanding of who God is, and a vision of the new condition God wants for His people. If you know that you know that you know that there is a commission upon your life, but are experiencing stagnation, ask God to reveal who you are, who He is, and what He has in store for the people you are entrusted to love.

Freedom Steps

Navigating Atlanta's highways requires finesse... a level of finesse I did not possess after becoming a mother. Normal anxious thoughts reach a fever pitch when coupled with lack of sleep.

I outran reason every time I thought of getting on the highway and commuting to work with my little one. The fear of experiencing a car crash was not paralyzing but still debilitating. "God, help me."

***

A few days later I entered a church for a community event. With my daughter in arms, I read from a children's bible that laid on the pew. The passage I chose described God's ability to protect us from harm, and said, "...even when we travel on the road for a long time, God is protecting us." I chuckled. 

I knew He had heard my prayer.

I left the event freer after that encounter with truth. But there was still a layer to unpack. 

A few more days later a memory sprang up. A childhood car accident. A man sped through a red light and hit my family's minivan in an intersection. We left the accident scene physically fine... but obviously I had been living with an unseen fracture for decades.

God took me back to that memory and showed me where the Holy Spirit was in the scene. My family is protected.

***

Through daily examination, our healing requires: 

1) a request for help (demonstrating a willingness to receive it), 

2) a "freeing" encounter with the truth measured by its identification with the nature (goodness) of God, and

3) a renewing ("retelling") of the places where God felt most absent.

Kingship

In his teachings on the graduation of boys to authentic manhood, Dondre Whitfield shares that "Males [boys] seek to be served, and Men seek to be of service". This understanding - marked by the literal and figurative transition from adolescence to adulthood - is not only a rite passage for men but all leaders in society. As believers, we lead in the establishment of God's vision on Earth. To lead, we must seek to be of service. 

And to serve well, we must have keen insight into why we're here in the first place. 

Kings:

- discover their purpose - the point of their rule,

- lead and serve others to build up the whole - not just themselves,

- connect with surrounding leaders and territories - and don't lead in isolation,

- showcase the other members of their royal court,

- apply and teach their life learnings for the further establishment of the kingdom,

- reproduce more Kings.

It's time to mature --- connect with God to learn your purpose and seek to serve.

Intimacy Activates

Intimacy activates. 

I paused my late night rumination to focus on His voice. I heard, "Intimacy activates." 

Wounds from negative experiences prevent us from being vulnerable.

Our new normal in this period of recalibration requires intimacy - a deep knowing and vulnerability. We must pursue healing.

On the other side of the recalibration is a pursuit of our high purpose...

Epiphanies

1. Jesus is an abolitionist. If you're looking for today's expression of Christ, search in the places where something is being dismantled, for example, the U.S. justice system. 

As we pray "on Earth as it is in Heaven", we are commissioned to abolish longstanding authorities (like racism, poverty, and every other thing standing in opposition to God) to ensure the kingdom dominates here. The Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Jesus - will provide the wisdom and power needed to do this work in your community, through your influence at your workplace, and within your family. Ask for the help.

2. Women are often valued/measured by their level of service to others. And our true measure comes from our identity as a Daughter of God. 

When I sit in God's presence, I have permission to rest.

3. Jesus aims to be the Chief Cornerstone of everything we build.