So last night I went to a church banquet with some Jamerican friends. Before the ‘entertainment’ began, a professor of African-American studies was invited to share with us in recognition of Black History Month. He opted to share from the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, using the theme “Defeat prior to the Victory”. The examples he used were interesting, but the core element of his message reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend earlier in the day.
But first, today’s Holy Nougat™
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
The operative phrase here is God causes everything to work … For it is not our efforts which result in victory, it is the Lord’s. That being understood, we more easily accept that the boxes assigned us by others are not necessarily of God’s design and purpose for our lives. [ That was the Conversation in extreme precis]. So, even in the face of defeat, despair, destitution, or drought (spiritual and/or economic), we can accept that our present circumstances do not define us. God does.
And God’s definition says firstly, God made us in God’s own image … We are not failures since we God’s mini-me’s. God’s definition also says, we are MORE THAN conquerors through him, i.e. Christ Jesus, who loves us.
Which brings us back to our current situation. No matter what it feels like today, God’s got our situations covered. And God has that very bright future planned for each of us.
Sooo
We rise from the ashes of crushing defeat, praising our way into the future victory. For we have the blessed assurance from the One who holds our future!
Be blessed as you “hol’ on pon yuh vict’ry, vict’ry in Jesus!”
Thanks for joining in this Divine feast.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
