Child of God

Every time I sat down to work on a blog post in 2022, I did so with a boldness I had never experienced before. It often felt like I wasn’t the one pressing the keys. And the more I sought His face and His will; the more boldness grew within me. The bolder in Christ I became, the more I saw who I am in Christ. 

Boldness is having the courage to be unapologetically who I am in Christ. 

The launch of Gift of Three was the first step in my pursuit of “boldness.” I quickly learned that growing in boldness meant having the courage to become a disciple. The courage to meet you here and be a part of your faith journey as I share stories of freedom, patience, and purpose.  

You see, writing in this space is about service rather than reward. 

This past year, 

boldness meant times of silence, 

boldness was listening, discerning, and waiting.

Boldness meant standing up for myself.

Boldness is active, God-given, and it is strength.

Growth in boldness has meant healing, stepping out in faith, and taking action regardless of the risk. Boldness has meant vulnerability, honesty, and setting boundaries (some I’m still working towards). It has meant accepting that I am appointed, committed to kingdom work, and called to speak the truth in love. 

Just as I have continued to seek freedom, patience, and purpose- I will continue to seek and find confidence in Christ so that I may boldly do what pleases him. Because I know, as Paul did, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

As I turn the pages (because I’m always reading more than one book at a time), 2023 presents new opportunities that God Himself could have only orchestrated. Perhaps the most exciting opportunity I’m facing is a focus on “intimacy.” God has spoken this word over me many times over the past few months, developing an urgency in my spirit to grow closer to Him.

Transitioning from boldness to intimacy almost feels like preparation for a retreat. My heart and spirit are ready to be still and be present. I expect my prayer life to grow and anticipate healing in places I never knew needed mending. But above all, I am ready to sit at the feet of my Father. 

He has something for us in every moment- not just each day, week, or month of the year. 

As I sit here typing, He has me reflect on the things that need to be addressed to sustain boldness in Him. The things that grew in boldness this past year showed me that I must take responsibility for them and act on them. I think that’s what intimacy with the Father does. It helps us view our hearts and spirits through a different lens and perspective. 

Intimacy with the Father reveals that although the pain is not always our fault, healing is our responsibility. Lysa Terkeurst says in her book Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, “If healing hasn’t been worked out, and forgiveness hasn’t been walked out, chaos is what will continue to play out.” And now I say, we can’t rely on others to change, but we can sit with the Father to ask how we are to move forward.

I say these things with more confidence than I could before. But friends, I have a lot of work to do. As much as I desire intimacy with the Father, I am not always ready for His truth. However, I know His way is best, and I know His way is necessary. For in the moments I spend with Him, He helps me first to forgive myself. He helps me understand that this is a process and part of His plan. 

My hope for this year is that my growth in intimacy with the Father somehow spills over into these pages and in this ministry. Because that’s what Gift of Three is- a ministry. A ministry established through freedom, patience, and purpose, but always seeking growth in our walk and who we are in Christ. 

I’m reading a book by Jeanne Stevens called, What’s Here Now? and something she says in chapter seven resonates with me and my 2023 focus word. She says, “...there is no better place than here. In the present. Where you are, in the here and now, is where God is. The present is God’s zip code. And God invites us to be with Him in every moment”. 

When I read this, it speaks of intimacy with the Father to me. It takes me by the hand, helps me to a seat, and encourages me to talk to him with more intention than ever before. That’s how available He is. That’s how much He loves us. And that’s how intimate He wants our relationship with Him to be. 

I know He will meet me here. I know this because He always has. I know this because He is my Father and I know I am a child of God. In Deuteronomy 1:31 His word tells us, “You saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way, just as a father cares for his child.” How much more assurance do I need?