Send me a sign!

The hardest part about being young Christians is realizing that God is not always going to give a sign about the areas of your life that concern you. There are times when He will, but there are times when He will speak through the people that are around you. As a result, it is important that we surround ourselves with people who will step out on faith and tell you the truth. Then there are other times when God will answer us but it is only through communion with Him. His instructions will not be revealed in a sign but will be revealed through conversation--constant prayer and talking-- where not only do we talk to God but even more importantly, we listen to Him.

The Holy Spirit lives in us. We know what God wants because He speaks to the spirit in us. We are looking for a sign from God yet He is not going to speak to our minds and to our emotions. He is also not going to take away our wants and our desires but He will speak to the spirit within us. We often ask people to pray that we "get strength" to deal with troubling situations. It is important to understand that we already have strength. It is just a matter of taping into it. You do not need strength because God has strength for you. Scripture reveals that God IS Strength. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us God has deposited this strength in us. You simply have to tap into it.

One of my favorite scriptures in times of weakness, despair or depression is "Those who hope (or wait) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I am a living witness that this promise is truth. I recall a time very recently when I was filled with complete sadness and hurt. . .you know the kind that weighs down in the depths of the soul yet as I meditated on this scripture, God continued to renew my strength. During times of despair, it is important that we bask in God's presence because by doing so you WILL (notice the scripture does not say "may") receive renewed strength.

When my friend Shani was baptized, the pastor said something like "We hope Shani comes back to Boston but I have no idea what Shani, God, the devil and Chris (her boyfriend at the time) have in store for her." This statement was interesting because it made me realize that in almost every area of your life there are a lot of competing forces going on around you. If you desire to be in God's perfect will, you have to submit what everyone else wants for what God wants. You have to pray and worship God in the midst of what is going on around you.

Scripture says, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and spiritual forces." The competing interests are the spiritual battles going on around us. Spiritual battles go on in our minds, in our hearts and with our flesh. So, you must fix your mind on God. Every time you attempt to replay what went on in a conversation, what was said, what you should have said (I have been there)-- STOP and worship God. The Bible says to focus your mind on whatever is pure, lovely and praiseworthy. The mind is where Satan is likely to attack and break us. However, God gives us authority over all the power the enemy possesses, we have to simply claim it.