Hey friends! It's a new year and a fresh start for all of us, every year at this time I find myself thinking back on the previous year and remembering all the times I saw God moving in my life. I'll be the first to admit that the last year was hard, and I know it was hard on many of you as well. I see you and I understand, but the last year was also filled with beautiful moments and joy in the midst of the struggle and hardship.
I learned so much about myself and my God over the last two years that I know without a doubt that I am a different person today then I would have been had I not walked through the last few years. Friends, my prayer for all of you is that you would take time to look back on the last few years and look for the times God was moving in your life and look for the good moments that we often take for granted.
Life has a way of throwing us curve ball after curve ball. Knocking us off our feet time and time again, but I know that there is nothing that our God cannot do and there is no mountain he can't move. Is doesn't matter what we may be walking through, He has already won the victory!
We do not fight for victory, but from a place of victory.
When I was younger I remember having a conversation with my parents about how I felt like I was never enough for most of the people around me. I felt like nothing I did was ever good enough and that I had to be perfect at everything , get the perfect grades, etc. I didn't realize that it wasn't my job to be perfect. I say this all the time, you were not born to be perfect you were born to be real. It took me years to finally understand that I am enough and I have always been enough. That was a lesson I wish I had learned sooner, and I pray all of you understand.
It is not your job to please those around you and it never has been. You were created to be you, not to be someone else. Friend, you are exactly what this world needs and you are so loved and worth more than you even realize. When I told my parents how I was feeling, I remember the tears that filled their eyes as I spoke and the tight embrace of their arms around my shoulders as they hugged me, but I'll never forget what my dad said to me after the tears finally stopped.
Dad looked at me and told me it was never my responsibility to be perfect. He reminded me that I was exactly who God had created me to be and I was exactly what the world needed. I want to tell you exactly what he told me that day and I hope you'll take it to heart. You are exactly what this world needs, you're brave, determined, anointed, and loved. You have a God-given purpose and you're dripping with destiny. You are a child of God and that carries immense meaning and worth. You are worthy of being loved and you will always be enough.
You're a World-Changer and History-Maker.. You'll change the world, but it'll never Change you!
Friend please take these words to heart and know I believe in you and I pray for the very best for you! I don't know what this year is going to bring, but I do know that God is still in control and He is still fighting for us. I mentioned this last week and I'll say it again, popular opinion does not override the purposes of God.
Friends whatever comes your way, I pray you will face it with the same spirit David faced Goliath. I pray you have the faith like Daniel in the lions den, I pray you have the faith of Moses in the wilderness, and I pray you have a heart that chases after God with everything you have. Before I go I want to speak a blessing over you friends, straight from the book of Numbers.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
No matter what life throws at you always remember that you are always enough and you have always been enough. You were created to be real and not to be perfect, pleasing those around you is not your job no matter what others say. Remember, you are loved and you have a God-given uniqueness. Friends don't let the enemy keep you from living the life you were created for and don't let the opinions of others stop you from walking in your calling.
I hope this year is full of new adventures and a renewed sense of joy and expectation! No matter what don't forget to look for the beauty even in the ashes.
- Alianna C.