Little did I know what 2017 had in store when it began. I was given the word protected from the Holy
Spirit (whom I often call HS). This was His
sweet way of letting me know there would be things I would need to be protected
from. I mean it is like having a
personal body guard. I was aware of many of the fiery darts and I am sure there were many I knew nothing about.
I sense He was in briefing meetings often about the strategies to keep
me protected. Meetings with God the
Father and Jesus the son. Meetings with angels and also commandments
to the demons who are hell bent on destruction.
I am thankful that in a court of law I have the Most High attorney on my
side advocating for my benefit.
At the beginning of Velvet Hearts (A ministry that exists to
show the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to men and women who work in the
sex industry), HS showed me that as I get to see these women in their nakedness,
rawness and realness. I get to see them the way He sees them. Naked and stripped. This vision was precious to me and
made me feel even more honored and chosen. He trusts me and allows me to show His
love to these women each and every single week.
Nakedness became the pure and real word that it was created to be, not
this worldly, gross, exposed, terrible thing that it is today. God created us naked in His sight, and He
sees us naked. Then I looked up the definition of naked and in it found the
word stripped, without clothes and without protection. I was in awe because He is telling me I am
protected and sending me to the people who are without protection. What a risky thing? Am I truly protected? What all am I protected from and why do I
need protection?
I am beyond thankful that I rarely struggle with being
scared of things. I am a bold person who
enjoys taking risks especially when I have been asked to do something by HS. There are many times I begin to feel the
weight of this industry and hear the enemy saying there is nothing I can do to
really make a difference. Then HS
shows me it is just a girl. This is just
about one girl. One heart, one story, and one life. I refocus and march forward.
So now let’s get to my year.
I realize this has been the year of stripping for me. I am the girl. I have been stripped naked this year in so
many ways. I have had to listen intently
to the Lord for wisdom and guidance in a deep, groaning kinda way. I turned to HS and nestled myself into his wings almost daily as things were
taken, stolen, and destroyed. Some of these things I released and some I held
onto and He had to take away. Some
things I understood and some I am still unaware why. I trust the Lord with all my heart, but that
is not to say I am unhurt. Yes, I am
hurt. Yes, I am bare. Yes, I feel
completely naked and exposed. It is uncomfortable. I was a beautiful healthy tree and I have
been pruned back to close to nothing. From
the outside looking in it might seem like I am dying or that death is imminent,
but in my core, I am more strengthened today that I was December 31, 2016.
What has been taken this year? Well here is my short list and in each there
was deep protection.
1.
Fully Alive
2.
Death of a Dog
3.
Job
4.
Church
5.
Friends
6.
Family
7.
Home
Like I said some of these were taken without my hands being
open and some were released. Either way
many tears have been shed this year and much growth has taken place. Many have not seen the growth because it
happens deep in the hidden places. And even
though I am a barren tree in the middle of winter and look like I could be dead,
there is a new life in me that is springing forth. I will bear much fruit this coming year. I have been stripped naked this year and the
Lord has seen me as I am. He is pleased
and calls me redeemed and justified. I
have a clearer understanding of the wholeness of being naked and
vulnerable. I have a deeper faith in a rescuer
that comes to protect and save. And He gets ALL the glory, honor and
praise. I will forever cherish this year’s
growth in the valley. I am thankful for
those who have walked right beside me and did not leave. I am also thankful for the ones who have left
and were pruned away.
I stand here naked.
I feel
more comfortable in my skin than I have ever -- before, bruised, scarred, and
broken.
I am HIS.
No comments:
Post a Comment