Standing on Holy Ground

Sometimes I don’t really know why I keep writing blogs. But then I remember that God told me way back in Cambodia (month 5) that He has given me something to say… so I should say it. Even if 5 people read this blog, I hope it brings encouragement. 

For a little update on my life, I moved to Virginia Beach to live with my two brothers’ in the military. I was just texting my mama about how perfect timing it all is that I’m here, living with my brothers’, and having the extra time to eat healthy, get in shape, and focus on my new life. It’s been a true honor to walk on a military base almost every day and meet the men and women who give their lives for our country. I don’t really care if you’re Conservative or Liberal… these people give their lives every day. That’s something to be appreciated. 

I’m not here to debate. Honestly, I don’t even know where that sentence came from.

I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I am today. Some days, I’ll be honest, I feel like there is NOTHING to be thankful for because my back hurts, I feel overweight, I have anxiety when I drive, I’m frustrated that no one understands reentry around me, and a job will never come my way. These are the days that I have to remember the times when I would take cold bucket showers, sleep on a thin mattress, and walk 2 miles to ministry instead of driving. I have to remember that Pastor David fell on his face before God just because we bought a cake for him. I have to remember Abuba in Rwanda who would scream my name and play soccer with me in the street. I have to remember speaking to Ronald in Cambodia about the Holy Spirit and it blew our minds that He lives IN us. I have to remember the time when Mireya would drive me to her favorite Papusa place and call me ‘daughter.’ I have to remember when my brother died twice and my team worshipped before God on the most holy ground I have ever been on. 

I remember these things and I smile because these people had a bigger impact on me than I ever thought they would. Funny thing about the World Race is that you go to serve and then you end up being served. The most selfless people on the planet touched my life this past year. That’s something to rejoice in.

Man, just because I’m not living on the other side of the world now doesn’t mean I just let Satan win my thoughts now. I fight every single day. Every single moment I have to decide whether I’m going to let evil dictate my thoughts or not. I have the Spirit living inside me today like I did on the Race. Just because I was on holy ground in Serbia doesn’t mean that I’m not walking on it now. 

For anyone just struggling to get by because your schedule is so mundane or it’s overbearing… open your Bible. What are you waiting for? Because we are in a war right now and I don’t want evil to think it has a hold on us. The best way I see it is this:

Before Salvation, we are stuck in a jail cell, with chains around our ankles and wrists. Jesus holds the key. We live in complete torment because we want to be satisfied but nothing satisfies our soul. Evil screams in our face, hoping we never turn to our King. If we confess and believe He has the key, He unlocks our cell door and gives us the key to unlock our ankles and wrists. Some of us are waiting for God to unlock the jail door when it has already been opened. Some of us are waiting for God to unlock our chains when He has given us the key to do so. We keep looking at Him like it’s His job to unchain us and wondering why He hasn’t rescued us… forgetting there is a key in our hand.

Oh followers, the last thing I want is for us to stand before God on Judgement Day and complain about how He never gave us a key to unlock our chains, let alone the cell door. 

You have the power EVERY. DAY. to unlock those chains. He’s given you His Word to get through. 

Followers, do you believe this? Do you believe that He has given you the key? Or are you sitting there like your helpless?? I know I’ve done that plenty of times. But we need to start helping others realize that Jesus has already given them a way out and a key to not sit in their shame and guilt. We have a choice to get out of our chains every single day. 

We are standing on holy ground. Let’s live like it.