It’s Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker. The rules: write for five minutes without editing.Today the word prompt is messenger.
God gave me a story to share – one much different than I expected. It’s wrapped up in tears, anger, hurt, and pain, yet somehow joy was breathing underneath causing hope to rise. Beauty from ashes took on a new meaning for me, and having lived it, I’m now called to be the messenger.
When in the midst of tragedy and unforeseen circumstances we aren’t sure how to handle, the last thing we want to think about is how God is going to use the situation for good. We don’t necessarily want our test to become our testimony. It hurts. We feel that words are better left unsaid and the past should remain in the past.
But God.
But God has called us to shout His glory from the midst of the ashes. When we bring Him glory ashes are transformed into beauty and grace is realized. From the ashes of our stories we can shout a powerful message that will scream hope to the hopeless. Does it hurt? Yes. Is there pain inside of it? Yes. Is it worth it? Oh yes, yes, YES!
To share the message of our souls is to share the beauty of a living and active God in our lives. We have the ability to carry strength and live with purpose. And we all need purpose. We were all born with the spirit of warriors. However, some of us lose the stamina for the fight along the way and forget to use our stories as the cry of our hearts to help lift the burdens of others.
Don’t forget. Fight, warriors, fight.
Use the message of your heart to allow hope to rise. Let the message of your life shout glory to a living God. He lives. He loves. He lives to love you!
Share your message and shout your victory! And whether you feel victories or not, claim it!
My book Nothing to Hold but Hope is releasing July 2nd! It’s my story; it’s my message of hope for you. Look for the book trailer next Wednesday. Have a blessed weekend, friends!
Love,
Jennifer
PS: Saturday only conference passes for The Mercy Retreat go on sale tomorrow! I will share details on tomorrow’s blog post.
Hi Jennifer! I found your link through Five Minute Friday and just wanted to say how beautiful your words are about sharing our messages with others. It is so true that whatever it is we have or are walking through in this life becomes our message to others. Through my message of living through abuse in marriage I have connected with women from all over who need to hear my story, just as there are women who need to hear your message.
Blessings to you for sharing your story and I pray it will greatly bless others who have walked a similar path.
Amy
Hi, Amy. Thank you for sharing your story with so many who need it. I know of so many women who need a message like yours! Be blessed as you continue living out your calling and encouraging others through your story!
Exactly..that is what my post was about…sharing my story…being vulnerable…thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Gloria!