Five years ago, my heart was heavy. I was alone much of the time. Having been laid aside with a herniated disk, I wondered to what purpose God would use it. So, I poured over the Scriptures asking for His direction and guidance during this time of isolation and recovery. And it was then that I began my journey in the blogging world. Many times, since that point, I questioned the Lord if this, in fact, was the course He wanted for me. Especially since a couple of “well-intentioned” friends discouraged me from this path. I was concerned I might have made a mistake; however, God answered my inquiry with the reassurance to keep on going.

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God”

(1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NLT).

Over 20 years ago, spiritual warfare invaded my home. I did not understand at the time what God could do with the aftermath of all that had taken place. But He repeatedly gave me the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (NASB). Since those days, long ago, He continues to remind me of this verse and others.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). It has certainly proven true that in my strength, in my flesh, I have not the power or the capacity to overcome discouragement, temptation, or any other sinful compromise. My home is in the Word of God! And it is only when I am stationed there that I truly am set free to follow Christ and obey Him in everything. Like Paul says in his first book to the Corinthians, our faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the POWER OF GOD (2:5)!

When I think back five years ago, as I began this journey – “I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4, NLT). Paul’s words reflect my journey!

And continuing forward, I am reminded: God has chosen “the Church” to shine The Light of His redemptive work secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We “shine out” in our distinct parameter, whether it be small or great, but each through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit as He oversees a masterpiece in progress! Gratefully, God has also used the healing from my herniated disk to shine The Light.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11, NLT).