I have learned many lessons in my life. From a little girl until now, it has been a journey, one filled with many tears & not always understanding, a journey that I wouldn’t change for anything. So many times I bought the lie that I was in charge of my life, the outcome, the path that I would take. I felt that I could control the pain I lived through and make something of it. I could overcome, rise above and ‘succeed’ if only I tried harder. 

Boy, it’s amazing how a little bit of experience and time changes this outlook. It’s incredibly amazing when you encounter Jesus in such a way that it humbles you to your knees. A place where vulnerability blooms and you realize your pain can only be healed by Him. You become vulnerable for Him. Nothing or no one in the world can do what Jesus can with just a touch of His pinky on your life. There is no healing, deep belly joy, relief of pain, overcoming, rising above… without Jesus.

When you press into Jesus and learn the truth that is in Him, you realize that apart from Him, you can do nothing.

John 15:5 (our verse for the year at #LadiesWhoLoveChrist) says ‘I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Abiding in Jesus also means realizing that apart from Him, we are disconnected. Left to try to pick up the pieces we will never be able to pick up. Life is in shambles and you leave a trail of hurt and mess behind you as you try to do what only the King, the Maker of the Universe can do. You don’t mean to but you repeat the mess you’ve lived through and you create a vicious cycle that leaves the enemy with a sinister grin on his face.

Some of you may rise above enough to fool yourselves that you’ve done it. You’ve arrived. You’ve climbed the ladder, overcome the poverty, masked the pain …. but really, you’ve done nothing other than fool yourself. There is still emptiness there and you lay your head down wondering … why.

WHY, when you’ve done all you can do…. WHY do you still feel the sadness and pain? 

You are unequipped to handled what only God can. When you become vulnerable enough to say ‘Jesus, I need YOU’ this is when life changes. He takes you by the hand and ever so lovingly walks you through the pain, the hurt, the anguish. The unanswered questions. The loss. The confusion. All of it. 

He sheds light and gives you supernatural peace, perspective & patience. He heals the wounds, replaces the memories, repairs the brokenness and touches your heart in the very places it needs healing.

Your views change. Your life changes. Your heart changes.

All it takes is you realizing the Christ (and CHRIST ALONE) is the Equipper. He doesn’t leave us to live this life alone. How lonesome that would be.

He equips us to do that which we didn’t think we could do.

He equips us to face the pain.

He equips us to overcome.

He equips us to heal.

He equips us to forgive.

He equips us to use that which the enemy meant for harm… for HIS goodness and glory.

Christ and Christ alone. Jesus plus nothing. He is the equipper of all things. All YOU have to do is say YES and realize that you need Him. Apart from Him, we are nothing, our lives serve no purpose but with Jesus and The Cross, we find our purpose. We find our example. We find our healing.

Some of you may have accepted Christ as your Savior. You may have encountered Him and these words I have written may sound all too familiar to your once broken Spirit – BUT JESUS.

For those who would like to accept this free gift of grace and try a different way – the ONLY way. Please pray this prayer to accept Christ. He is the equipper and He is waiting for you.

Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. Through faith in You, I have eternal life. Thank You also for hearing my prayers and loving me unconditionally. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and determination to walk in the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.