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

Where’s your Focus?

What’s up beautiful people and others? I have a brief word for you on today that is going to require reflection. Our topic today is “Where is your Focus?”

There are so many things going on in the world today and even amongst those called to be watchers or watchmen for the body of Christ. Some of you may have jumped into the drama of these situations and some of you may have sidestepped the mess. To those of you who have chosen to side step the drama that takes some maturity and you should be proud of yourself. It’s very easy to get into the drama that takes place consistently almost as if the distractions are intentional. Whether you are aware or not our intentions matter a great deal. Meaning we have to be extra mindful of them. Where our mind goes the body follows.

As children of God our focus is to be on the Father. I myself as a child of God have to be very mindful and at times I simply have accepted that I just am not always. Honest. Yet, the extra effort is required to make sure I do my best to be more intentional about what I allow my spirit to digest. Just as our bellies can be sensitive to certain foods our spirits are indeed the same. Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….” (NIV)

We perfect our faith by keeping our eyes on the one who perfects it. When we get so entangled in the drama of others we are digesting and entangling ourselves in the mess of the people we watch. Our job is to finish our race. As believers we all have personal access to Christ directly. Ephesians 2:18 tells us “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (NIV) Oftentimes some people have loyalty to a person and forget that the one that has established or created that individual is where the true power lies. Regardless of what’s happening around us our focus has to stay on Christ.

I’m not sure if any of you are familiar with track but it’s important that you stay in your lane when running your race. Every step counts. Turning to look back, being too concerned with the person running next to you, or not properly breathing can all jam you up in the race. You have to stay focused on the finish line. As believers are walk with Christ is the same. There is nothing going on in this world today that God didn’t already have set in stone. The drama, the gossip, the hate crimes, loving your neighbor, etc etc. However, if we get to wrapped up in some of these things it could distort our perception of the race we are to be running.

Sometimes what someone else is called to won’t make sense to you but you have to keep running. Sometimes, the race might seem rigged in the oppositions favor but we serve a God that doesn’t lose. Only when we spend quality time with the father can we know his voice. Can we know his ways. The more we do so the more the father naturally humbles us, the more we are easily able to discern the wolves from the sheep. What are you focused on? I hope you can say that it’s the father. I hope you can say that you are still committed to the race. Stay focused on the finish line.

Till next time good people and others.

Love ya,

later.