Shielded in Faithfulness

What uppppp good people and others?! It's been a little minute since I've written a blog but here we are ready to share some love with one another. How have you been? How are you maintaining in these interesting times in the world? Hopefully you're standing strong despite the hardships currently taking place.

I'm not sure about you, but I read the word in relationship. Sounds strange I know. However, in my gaining of understanding, I see the Bible as a love story. 💕 A history of God's love and desires for his people. His love and forgiveness concerning his bride. A father's love and hope that his children would come back home. A God with an open heart for those who are not of his tribe but welcomes them to pasture as well. That's relationship.

In Psalms 91:4, there is a piece of scripture in the ESV Bible that says “His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.”

In the context of relationship…..how often has infidelity made space for the ruin of your union? Infidelity (Adultery) is also the one thing God permits as a reason for divorce in marriage, in covenant (Mat 5:32). Yet, his faithfulness is a shield 🛡️, a protection, for the relationship we have with Christ.

God had me speak on the book of Nehemiah a little while ago. In my studies of Nehemiah being charged to build the wall 🧱 I discovered that a “broken wall” is a reproach to a city (Nehemiah 1:3). Is it not the same for our physical relationships?! 👀 When infidelity enters the chat (😆) or enters the relationship there is an instant “reproach” in that union. The relationship wall has been breached or broken & now it is up to the individuals to decide whether they are going to part ways or spend time repairing or rebuilding the wall that faithfulness once provided them.

Isn't that something?! 🤯

In God's call for us to “Build the wall” he is calling for us to reestablish faithfulness to him. 😆 Yet, in one of the most powerful Psalms we are reminded just how powerful faithfulness is! The full verse for Psalms 91:4 states “He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.”

How often are people in search of security?! Whether it is in regards to their finances, relationship, career, or community groups?! Everyone wants security. Yet, some of us struggle with the key that will provide it ; faithfulness. How many times can you look back (reflect) on your life and see that God has secured you in some form or fashion even in the midst of your unfaithfulness?!

Yet, God's covering “his wings” has faithfully secured us in the midst of our mess. In the midst of our infidelity. Love conquers so many things! Yet, love without faithfulness leaves holes in our shields. Leaves holes in the walls that faithfulness has established around our city.

We can look throughout the Earth and see what hate has done. Hate brings destruction, jealousy and envy. All which bring about murder. Yet, love with faithfulness, brings about a strong fortress. A strong wall.

When unfaithfulness ruins a thing, it takes time to rebuild the wall. Doesn't always mean it's not worth rebuilding just means that it's going to take time, patience and a solid defense to rebuild it. There are people in this world who don't always desire to see a good thing reestablished. But when the love is strong enough it's worth fighting for to rebuild. Just like the example in the book of Nehemiah.

God's love for us is faithful and despite our infidelity with him, he has shown us countless times that we are worth fighting for. How much more can we show him the same thing?! God desires for us to come home. Will you come?! Will you help rebuild the wall? Will you fight to reestablish a “good thing”?

Y'all be easy. Love ya. Later.

Stay vigilant. Stay prayed up.

-Shya

God "Chose" Me First 🥇

Hey, Hey, Hey, beautiful people. It's the first day of Fall 🍂 🍁 and I'm super stoked! My reasons might be a little biased though honestly. What's one of the seasons you enjoy?! Hope all is well with you of course. If not I hope something shakes soon that shifts your situation. 🙏🏿

Listen, ion know if any of you have been hearing all this “chosen” chit chat. But let's get to the bottom of it today. Let's let this fall where it belongs. For good.

There are some people in the world who like to use the topic of being chosen as a feel good dynamic, some who try to use it to trigger others, some who want to use it to feel superior to others and others who use it as a term for community. However, did you know none of those things really hold weight compared to being chosen by God?! 👀 I mean none of it. God choosing us is the ultimate pick we could ever experience in our life.

The word tells us “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4 This scripture highlights that God “wanted” us before we even desired to be wanted by anyone else. He chose us before the creation of the world. Do you know how important and loved you are because of that?!

God loved and desired us so much that he knew before he established us that he wanted to provide a place for us where we could flourish. He decided that we would be created then went to work on establishing a home for us to rest. The world. Earth.

When we look at John 15:16 it states that “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go forth and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so whatever you ask of me in my name the Father will give you.” We think we “choose” , yet God chose us. God loves us so much that he knew we would make mistakes, stray from the path but he also knew and had faith that those that he chose would return home.

Talk about an intentional loving father!

God's love is sufficient for us. It's everlasting. Being picked by man (male/female) is a small thing when the alpha and omega hand picks you. When you love yourself……flaws and all…..being picked concerning a relationship isn't going to make or break you. Man will try to make you feel small and fail when you're able to stand on the fact that God chose you before the creation of the Earth. What man can top that?!

God chose you first 🥇 don't get so caught up on people wanting you to feel small because you're confident in that fact. Being able to love yourself and others is a beautiful thing. When you innerstand God's love for you being chosen by the right partner is just a bonus to being chosen by the Father.

Now we can finally let all this “chosen” talk lay to rest. We're now well aware that God chose us and who is topping that?! 🥰😍😘

Love ya. Later.

Shya D