A couple of years ago, my husband and I took a day trip to Enchanted Rock State Park in the hill country of Austin. There is one particular pink granite monolithic rock that the park is named after. The geology in this area is unique and breathtaking.

The enchanted rock is massive and imposing. It juts straight up 1823 feet. The park ranger warned us that the ascent is quite steep, being that the trail to the summit is only .8 miles. She advised that we take our time climbing to the top.

We started the climb and it seemed innocuous enough. However, after hiking about 60% of the way to the summit, the extreme heat and steepness of the rock started to take its toll. Then, at about 80% of the way, with the summit clearly in view, the weather changed and a storm appeared on the horizon. Massive winds whipped against us making it nearly impossible to move forward, and threatened to actually push us downhill.

At this point, between the sheer exhaustion of battling the gale-force winds and the steep ascent, I seriously considered quitting. I sat down for a minute to catch my breath and make a decision whether to continue or not. As I sat there looking at how close I was to the summit, I decided that it would be a waste to have come this far only to quit right before making it to the top.

So, with newfound determination, I got up determined to make the summit no matter what. And at that exact moment, the unexpected happened. The wind switched directions. Now, the powerful wind was behind my back and actually helping push me up the rock toward the summit!

I immediately thanked God for helping me. It was then that I heard in my spirit, “I am helping you summit. I am going to get you the rest of the way.” And the sense I had was that this promise wasn’t meant just for me but for many of God’s people.

There are many who have walked through an extended wilderness period at the Lord’s prompting. They have faced many challenges and obstacles that have caused them to grow tired and weary. But the Lord is breathing a new wind into their life to reignite their hope and resolve. And just as it was God who led them into the wilderness, He is going to supernaturally help them reach the summit of the mountain before them and lead them out of the wilderness into the promises He has made to them.

Hold on just a bit longer, for it is the Lord who is going to help you finish the journey.

I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the love and influence of my dad. Thank you to all the hard-working men out there who give their all to their families! You are appreciated not just today but every day.

In Matthew 5:14-16, it says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (NIV).

What does it mean to be “the light” and “let your light shine before others”? How does this look and feel?

A few years ago, I heard a pastor share a story from his own life. His son was a responsible, caring, and spirit-filled young man. In high school, he worked hard to maintain his grades and stayed out of trouble. His son was also artistic, taking every art class available and participating in any art-related activities inside and outside of school.

When he was an upperclassman, the pastor’s son made an unlikely new friend. He befriended and started hanging out with a young man who was his exact opposite. This friend struggled in school, had a bad reputation, and had even had some brushes with the law.

 As their friendship progressed and deepened over time, the pastor and his wife became concerned. Their son was spending most of his time with this troubled young man. And, as any parent would do, they worried about this new friend’s influence over their son’s life. They worried that he would change in ways that could negatively affect his life. His parents were at the point they were about to have a discussion with their son concerning this friend.

But before they could have this conversation, something unexpected happened. While they were at their son’s high school, attending an art program, a couple approached them and introduced themselves. They were the parents of the troubled young man.

His parents proceeded to thank the pastor and his wife. They shared about how the pastor’s son had struck up a conversation with their son and discovered they had a shared interest in art. The pastor’s son had invited him to join art activities at school. But more than that, through his positive influence and example, their son was changing for the better. Their son was doing better in school and had let go of bad friendships. Pretty much every area of this young man’s life had been affected for the better as a result of his friendship with the pastor’s son.

The pastor and his wife were both grateful and humbled by this encounter. They hadn’t considered the possibility that the Lord could use their son to help change his friend. And seeing the impact their son had on the life of his friend changed and opened their hearts. So often, well-meaning Christians are afraid to help those who truly need it for fear of becoming corrupted by the world.

There can also be an apprehension for those who want to help but aren’t sure how. How does that help look? What does the Lord want them to do? The answer is simple: just be you.

The pastor’s son wasn’t out searching for someone to help but, when the opportunity presented itself, he recognized it. And, how did this young man help his friend? By simply being himself. He showed his friend who he truly was.  He shared the gifts God placed inside him. He allowed the beauty of how Christ uniquely created him to “shine” through.

We change the world and those around us simply by being who God created us to be. This is how we let our “light shine before others.” It isn’t something we have to force. It is a natural aspect of who we are in Christ. Our inner light emanates on its own when we are real and authentic with others. 

When we simply go about the business of leading our daily lives, opportunities to help others will present themselves on their own. Those the Lord would have us help will naturally be drawn to us by the “light” they sense in us. In return, the Lord will reveal to our hearts anyone He would like us to help. It is always organically orchestrated by the Lord.

Be open to whatever means the Lord may use you and whatever form your help takes shape. The Lord may call you speak to someone. He may ask you to mow someone’s lawn. Or, He may ask you to financially help someone who is struggling. It really doesn’t matter what He asks you to do. He knows that person’s need and the best way to meet that need. We need only be available and open to the Lord’s prompting.   And above all else, “let your light shine for all the world to see” by being brave enough to let the world see the real you!

Are there areas of your life that are being challenged right now? Challenging circumstances are often hidden opportunities for growth and change. We don’t grow when we’re comfortable. Sometimes the Lord has to get us out of our comfort zone to help us make necessary changes.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks at my house. Murphy’s Law has been reigning around here. The most bizarre and unexpected events and challenges have hit us. We’ve been bombarded on all sides.

With all the chaos, noise, and distraction, it’s been hard to stay positive or focused on the things the Lord is asking me to do right now. My husband and I have committed to changes that we knew were long overdue. And the enemy isn’t afraid of those who are slumbering and doing nothing. He is afraid of those who are brave enough to step out of their comfort zone and move forward. So, it is no surprise that we’re experiencing resistance as we step out in faith.

For the first time in a couple of weeks, I had started my day out praising the Lord and declaring His goodness and promises over me and my family. I had a busy day of errands, so I headed out as soon as I finished my time with the Lord.

At the end of my errands, I found myself starting to focus on the “circus” of events that I’ve been dealing with recently and felt my mood start to turn. I quickly realized that I needed to shift my focus. I was stopped at a red light and something to the left caught my eye. For some reason, I felt drawn towards it. I looked up and through my car window, I saw the word: FAVOR.

And instantly, it struck me. I live in the Lord’s favor. His favor is with me wherever I go. His favor goes before me at all times. Because of the Lord’s favor on my life, I should always look for and expect good things to happen.

Remember … You walk in favor. Always.

As I was falling asleep last night, the Lord brought to mind something from a chapter in my book that highlights events currently going on throughout the world.

Excerpt from LESSON 5: WARRIOR:

I recently watched a movie, Tomorrowland, with the central theme of the power of the thought and intention of a single person. The heroine, a teenage girl named Casey Newton, was able to save the world by believing things could be changed for the better. In the movie, the world is mere days away from complete destruction.

The source of the world’s impending doom is the projection of the entire population’s belief in the upcoming end of the world. The only person who is looking for solutions and believes that the world can be saved is Casey. The rest of the population is driven to wholeheartedly embrace their own destruction by a machine that is broadcasting their impending demise. The more the people embrace the message being broadcast to their subconscious, the more their thoughts and subsequent actions actually empower and create the doomsday message they have been fed.

Strangely enough, the people gravitate toward a message spreading doom. The viewer wonders why they wouldn’t reject that message and choose hope instead. As the evil character, David Nix, who is broadcasting the negative message in hopes of destroying the earth, said, “In every moment there’s the possibility of a better future, but you people won’t believe it. And because you won’t believe it you won’t do what is necessary to make it a reality. So, you dwell on this terrible future. You resign yourselves to it for one reason, because that future does not ask anything of you today.”¹

The warrior must consciously choose hope over fear. Like Casey in the movie, they must look straight at their mountain of fear and lies and take actions today that will cost them something in return for a better future. The hardest challenge for any warrior is to stand and to continue standing in a posture of belief against all prevailing odds that they will be victorious. The warrior speaks the truth to their mountain and makes the mountain bend to their will.

So, how does all of this work in our everyday lives? I shared earlier that my husband and I had gone through a very harrowing financial downturn a few years ago. As a result of what we experienced, our credit was ruined. Just when we were getting back on our feet and thought that we were turning the corner, we were sued by one of our creditors.

I can’t begin to describe the shock or the wave of abject fear that tried to overwhelm me when we were served with the lawsuit paperwork. The world started spinning, and it was all I could do to keep from losing it. The next morning, the Lord strongly impressed on me that He wanted me to get out of the house and go for a long walk. I was pouring my heart out to God when something on the sidewalk in front of me caught my eye—graffiti.

However, this wasn’t your typical graffiti. When I stopped in front of it, I saw the words, “Be Won.” An angel’s halo was drawn around the top of the “w” in the word “won.” I started to calm down. I kept walking and turned left at the next corner. There, in front of me again, was the “Be Won” graffiti. At this point, I had to laugh out loud. I knew the battle I was facing had just begun, but God was making it extremely clear that He had already won the battle on my behalf. From that moment on, the instant that fear or anxiety tried to creep up on me, I announced in my head, “Be won. This battle has already been won!”

[1] The Internet Movie Database. 2017. “Tomorrowland Quotes.” http://m.imdb.com/title/tt1964418/quotes?item=qt2498059.

This is an excerpt of the book, Lessons From God by Tanya Vezza.
Copyright © 2018-2020 Tanya Vezza | All Rights Reserved.

…In case you were wondering, the situation ended in our favor. I had faced one of the scariest experiences of my life, but I kept going, and I had come through the other side triumphant because I did not quit. Equally as important in determining the outcome, was replacing fear with faith and speaking that over our life.

I know there is a lot of fear and uncertainty in the world right now. The best posture we can take at this time is one of Faith. Hope is our only way forward.

God creates each person with a special purpose in life. He gives us talents, gifts, and passions to help us with our calling. Each one of His children is a unique creation and gift to this world.
What were you born to do?

A little inspiration this Monday to start your week. Helen Keller was blind and deaf. If anyone could have chosen a “nothing” life, it was her. But, she chose “adventure” and is remembered as an amazing woman who overcame unbelievable odds. It’s not always easy but I’d rather look back and see that my life was an “amazing adventure.”
Have a great week!