August 2020 | The Wild Wilderness
August might have been one of the most crazy yet dormant months ever. I’ve never had so much and so little happen all at the same time. It’s like walking through a desert while bullets narrowly miss you from miles away. It’s tense, yet somehow not worrying at all.
Being on staff at Victory (my church) has been both easing and stressful rolled into one. The only thing that has kept me collected is Jesus. When I was about to lose my cool on multiple occasions, the Lord kept reminding me of the bracelets I have. W.W.J.D and H.W.L.F. Those stand for “What Would Jesus Do” and “He Would Love First”. It may seem cliche or almost cringe, but it is something that has carried me. To ask yourself what the Lord would do and having that response.
When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about what the most important commandment was, He responded with such quietude. Jesus said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and your mind”. Then He says the second is like it, to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Our response to all we do, no matter what, should be out of love. That is the most important and vital thing we can do in our walk with the Lord. [Matthew 22:34:40]
In my moments of being stagnate, I’ve begun to realize how easy it is to let boredom and distractions role in. Finding motivation is near impossible and the only thing that keeps bringing me back is reaching out the Father. The constant reminder of His goodness, His kindness, His grace, His mercy, and boundless other nouns that define Him. When you don’t press towards the Lord when you’re at your lowest and weakest, it’s as if monsters are trying to talk to you. The enemy wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy [John 10:10]; so the best thing you could do is to run into the arms of the Creator who is described to have eyes of flaming fire. [Revelation 1:14]
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness [Matthew 4:1-11] and just like us, human. He displayed that when those monsters talk, when the enemy talks, we have the power to resist him. To call upon the name of the Lord, to use the Word as our weapon. When the words coming out of you mouth are God-influenced, it only brings life. When you don’t have the Lord’s words coming out of your mouth or within your heart, you will faint in the day of adversity because your faith is small. [Proverbs 24:10]
Something that the Lord recently gave me was a dream. I don’t dream often, so when I do, I know it’s important. The dream was very specific and gave me clear insight into what God wants to do in me, through me, and beyond me. It fired me up and reinvigorated me for the things that I thought may be over or gone. I’m not sure if I’ll make public what the dream contained right now, but if I feel a yes from the Lord, I will.
Last time I wrote, I had a big announcement that has unfortunately crumbled and to be perfectly honest, it was the Lord. Something that I was looking forward to so much became something it wasn’t and God intervened in His miraculous timing (as always). Instead of focusing on the bad, I’d prefer to focus on the good with what God has said despite the disappointments and set backs. Even though it may be frustrating in the moment, God certainly has much greater for right now and even in the future.
Just as a piece of encouragement, remember that the best is yet to come. That’s something that may be hard to accept right now in the current world we live in, but don’t compare the present to your past. Don’t look at your past a preference, but as a reference. What you have done will send you to where you are going to go and where you are right now is just a part of the journey. The Lord will use the wilderness, not matter how wild it is.
I pray that the Lord blesses you, your family, your finances, your health, and your relationships. That all that you set you mind and hands too will both prosper and flourish in Jesus name. Thank you for all your prayers, love, and support. It means a lot. If you’d like to help support me, prayer requests and a giving link is below. Much love!
One last thing, it’s a question. If I ever sold prints of my photos, would you want any? Let me know.
Prayer Requests:
Wisdom | A lot has been transpiring recently and I need to know which path to take and which doors to walk through.
Continued Hunger | At times it’s difficult to have that hunger to get in the Word or spend time in prayer, so prayer for that would be appreciated.
Creativity | I’ve felt that I’ve hit a creative block recently and I want to continue to create in film, photography, and more.
Music to check out:
Bedroom Gospel | Montell Fish
Soundtrack of Isolation | Eikon
Leave What’s Lost Behind | Colony House
Kindness - Single | Jess Ray
Borderland | John Mark McMillan
Podcasts to check out:
Listen To This | Drew Schaefer