Love over Fear
Written on 24 Nov 2022, 10:04 pm
To my dear readers, THANK YOU for being here once again to read my random thoughts.
I just returned home from a long day at Amy's studio, a day of endless flowers, preparing for the weekend of weddings. Ironically, I cannot believe I have allowed myself to be in a room full of fresh flowers and a passionately driven florist.
Today, as I gazed across the studio, it was messy but there was an atmosphere of passion. I admit I am not too passionate about flowers (even though I paint them). In my tenure as a Visual Merchandiser, I was exposed to floristry at stores and fashion events. The memories of a room full of flowers haunt me. Fortunately, it was the people in the same room that made setups fun.
Tonight, I was overwhelmed by fear. How do I sustain myself for 2023? Will I be able to get through the daily struggles of feeling lacking all over again?
Yet, in this unknown moment, my heart still swells with anticipation. Exactly a year ago, I made the decision to let God lead me. It wasn't the easiest coming from a person who likes to plan and often feels disappointed if it does not go as planned.
This journey has taught me to show vulnerability and that it's okay to re-route from expectations. Especially when God is involved.
Our Christian journey is not about portraying a good girl image. We are allowed to make mistakes and still live a life of hopes and dreams. For too long, we have been seen as supposedly 'good'. I don’t know why Christians are not allowed to make mistakes. I am definitely not the average good Sunday school girl. What pressed on was the Love (Agape) of God. You see, God is the only constant. All our lives through decades, generations after generations, it is evident that God remains unchanged. Even after walking away from church ministry, God still woos me home.
It is not what we do more or less that entitles us to His love. It was Christ Himself that gave us the reward of Heaven and His Love.
All my life, God has been so so good.
This Christmas, I hope you'll remember how DaddyGod woos you. It is His goodness that runs after you. The Bible says, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. That's all.
It means, as long as we open our hearts to Him, He will show us what Heaven is about. Friends, don't forget that eternity is waiting for you. For all who believed.
Christmas has changed so much in the times today. We are often seen chasing after sales rather than the love of God. Why? Well, that’s the enemy's strategy to distract us from the truth.
What is true you may ask.
For God so loved you that He gave His only Son Jesus so that you can spend eternity with Him. Beloved, you are so precious to Him. He created the heavens and earth before Adam and Eve so that we can enjoy His creation. He also gave man the free will to co-exist and co-create with Him! Imagine having tea with the King of kings! How awesome is that?
I hope this reading opens up your vision to see God as a Person that yearns for a relationship with you. He does not just create you and say, “you’re on your own now” He always says, “come and drink from My cup that overflows”
Beloved, may I invite you to feast at the King’s table once again. End this year in an atmosphere of Faith, Hope, and Love. Choose your tribe wisely. Don’t just settle for merry drinking and empty words. Get into a room of people that will speak into your life! Surround yourself with people who are driven passionately for much more.
My point is, you have to allow yourself to step into His presence. It can be at home, in your secret place, or at church with His people. Then His presence will linger over you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, His fragrance lingers. We are created to carry His presence. Let this be your purpose this new year.
Re-align your stars with His. There in His presence, you will see your life transform; from the inside out. You carry light the moment you invited Christ into your life. Remember that prayer or pray again:
Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept You out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust You (again) as my Lord and Savior. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe You are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank You for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe Your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Let my life be worship to You and my heart stay true.
Amen.
I hope you can witness that my choosing to work at Amy’s studio was not by chance. I was given an opportunity to love flowers again. Can I say, my vocab for flowers has expanded, I have new skills with my hands to give to others. I can talk flowers all day and paint them all night with clarity of they are formed.
I love my time at Amy’s studio. I may not love the mess but I do love the atmosphere that was set for me to create newness. May this coming 2023, propel you to dream up! Nothing is impossible to the God who created you in His image. You are so loved.
Ps: Would you like to have a look behind the scenes at a floral studio? Comment and let me know!