Howdy friends, I just came back from a fantastic retreat with my young adult friends from Times Square Church. To say this retreat was great will be an understatement! It’s amazing how God can alter one’s plan for His purpose. My intention was just to go there and take a break from a hectic week from school and troubles of NYC. Didn’t know that God had other plans for me. While on the bus to the venue of the retreat, I had a quiet moment with the Lord. My desire later changed from actually wanting to just have fun, to wanting a divine connection with the Lord. This retreat wouldn’t be the first I would be attending, but I wanted this to be different from the other ones.
The theme of our retreat was IDENTITY, and it was what drew me to register. Knowing who you are in Christ as I learned at the retreat, is important because so often, we let the world define us, instead of what God defines us. I AM A GIANT KILLER AND NOT A GRASSHOPPER! It is my prayer for this generation that we come to know who we are in Christ, especially now that we are living in the last days. During the preacher’s sermon, he said something that had me thinking. He said, “until we define our relationship with God, we will always have problems with our friendships and relationships with others.” I won’t dwell on this, but you should think about that statement.
Still not content, I asked God to give me a word when I went to bed that night. I was expecting to get a revelation or something in the course of the night, but nothing came. I woke up the next morning to do my devotion, and I got a revelation from Psalms 27:4-5. It reads: “The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” (NLT)
People go through different problems and challenges, and I’m no different. Every time I feel downcast or faced with a problem, I go to church, and for some strange reasons, I forget about those problems. Some friends that know me very well know that I’m a true worshipper, especially when it comes to music. Whenever I get into God‘s presence, all my worries and fear disappears. This was what God reminded me in those two verses.
I asked God why is it that I struggle to obey His word, and what He revealed to me was that I needed a change of heart. When we have exhausted all means and still see no sign of change, I think it is then we need to ask God for help. Trying to fix your problems yourself without the help of God is like trying to fill a woven basket up with water. It is impossible! Imagine you have a car that keeps giving you the same engine problem over and over again. You take it to the mechanic every day, but you still see no improvements in the way the car functions, wouldn’t it be best for you just to buy a new engine because I’m quite sure you wouldn’t want to spend money on things that don’t produce results. So it is with our hearts. If we keep praying to God to help us with our struggles, with the same defective heart, chances are we will still fall back into that struggle again and again. If you’re going through the same thing, I urge you to cry out to God for a change of heart; I’m quite sure He won’t fail you.
I was thrilled that I got to attend this retreat despite all odds. I didn’t have the money to pay for it, but God sent help my way in the way only He could. It is my prayer and hopes that we continue to seek God‘s face and not forget that WE ARE GIANT KILLERS AND NOT GRASSHOPPERS!
Blazer by my friend, John @johnkross_couture
Shirt _ French Connection
Pants _ H&M
Shoes _ Aldo