Work The Word, The Word Works

I’ve been pretty overwhelmed the last few weeks. Thankfully it’s been in a good way. I’ve had lots of reflective thoughts that took me through childhood, heartbreak, the birthing of my ministry and more. And what I realized more than anything is that in most instances people are doing the best they can with the information that they have. Yes there are some bad actors, some people who have a darkness within themselves that do harmful things outside of themselves. Still I fully believe, as a whole, if we knew better we would do better.

The first time that I had this very centered thought was regarding my mother. As I’ve been reflecting on what was and what is to be, I have been thinking a lot on my childhood. I have just recently realized that I had warperd recollections of that mine field. One thing that I had to come to grips with some years ago was even though I felt like I was mistreated (and I still do feel that way) the fact of the matter is my mother was working off of bad information. She was doing all she knew how to do. She was violently protective of herself, her beliefs, and her outlook of the dangerous world that she was navigating. As a victim of multiple traumas, she was in survival mode and very closed off from certain modes of thinking and operating. I get that now. As an 11 year old I did not get it. I just wanted the suffering to stop.

Now as an adult, who is married, who has spiritual children, and who is also a leader, I must hold myself to a higher standard. I must work The Word because I know The Word works.

Yes I’m talking about The Word of God, but I’m also talking about your word. Communication with God and with those around you is key. Praying, studying, and asking questions is crucial. Starting right now I want to challenge you to take self inventory and make sure you understand your own motives. Consider the questions below:

Are you centering yourself inappropriately?
Are you making every situation about you?
Are you taking things personally?
Are you listening?
Are you motivated by the greater good?
Are you working cooperatively?
Do you just want to win?
Do you just want your way?

I must tell you, operating from this mature stance takes work. I didn’t always roll like this. For the longest time I fancied myself “smart” and “arrived” and anyone who thought differently than I did was simply wrong. It was pretty much my way or the highway. And if we’re honest more of us hold those truths and traits then we think. We’re not as cooperative or collaborative as we we could be. We’re silently judging; we’re secretly cutting a side eye at folks. And we are not communicating! We’re not applying God’s principles which tell us to love one another as ourselves. We’re ignoring the part of the scripture that says love means laying down your life. We gloss over the portion that says show yourself friendly. We skip the part that highlights kindness and gentleness. We nitpick the Bible verses and we wonder why we don’t have more fulfillment in our lives or aren’t as “blessed” as we would like to be.

Despite sitting under many preachers for many years I was still in bondage until I connected with the voice that unlocked everything for me. It wasn’t until I fully opened my heart to my Spiritual Father who took on the work to show me myself. He had to hold up a spiritual and emotional mirror so that I could see the muck and mire in my life. And he helped me dig out the jewels that God placed inside. I begin to allow the Holy Spirit to peel back the layers of my own trauma and tear down the walls I’d built to protect myself. I had been arrogant, brash and brazen because I thought I had to be. But when I begin to investigate The Word of God and use my words to ask questions of myself and those around me, my whole life changed. And it changed for the better.

I want to encourage you today to take a good look inward and you don’t have to do it alone. Ask important questions of your trusted friends and advisors to help you trace the root of your behaviors. Or if you are in a space where you want to keep this part of your journey more private, consider seeing a therapist to walk along this path with you. But please walk it out. Always remember the word works. Your spoken word, your voice, your seeking, your advocating works. And more importantly The Word of God works above all else. Apply the lessons you learn. Be brave enough to make the changes you seek. And don’t let anyone drag you backward.

Peace be unto you Friend.