Hey Called Creative!
On this journey of purpose towards new levels of greatness and glory, we will without a doubt find ourselves in seasons where the assignment and the circumstances are not ideal nor do they meet our preferences.
You wouldn’t prefer to be doing what you’re doing at the moment;
you wouldn’t prefer to be where you currently are;
but you definitely WOULD prefer to be in a better space financially, relationally, physically and so forth.
But because we’re surrendered unto the Lord, we understand that our lives are not our own; and more than a few times along this walk with Christ, we will have to take on the mantra, “I gotta do what I gotta do, so that I can do what I wanna do”.
I’ve recently acquired a cool but not preferred job in project management, working for someone else other than myself, which in itself is not ideal. However, this position is affording me better financial positioning and acquired experience in this new skill, which can work in my favor in the near and distant future.
My mantra? Suck it up and do what I gotta do so that I can do what I want later.
You may find yourself in a similar circumstance, Called Creative.
You’re in the trenches of a rigorous academic program so that you can be officially qualified to do the work you’re passionate about.
You’ve committed to eating healthy foods that may not exactly satisfy your cravings so that you can flaunt a six pack of rock hard abs this fast-approaching summer.
You’re waking up in the wee hours of the morning to pray so that the promises of God can be manifested for you and everyone connected to you without delay.
Wherever you find yourself as you do what you have to do for latter glory, be reminded of these three things:
1. The Lord is literally with you.
… right here in this uncomfortable, unpreferred season. Take a moment to really think about that. He’s not far away watching you push through all by yourself. He’s beside you as the Source for help, comfort, peace…
One of the most comforting benefits of surrendering our lives to the Father is knowing that we are in His will. Wherever He leads us, or wherever He allows us to go, it’s all good, even if it doesn’t feel like it, because of the simple fact that He is all good. I mean, not to be dramatic but even in the valleys of the shadow of DEATH, He promises that He is with us (Psalm 23:4); Even if we decide to make our beds in HELL, He is there (Psalm 139:8). It can’t get worse than hell, even though your current situation may be trying to compete. You couldn’t shake this Man if you tried! Talk about never leaving nor forsaking us.
In fact, He doesn’t even want us feeling any type of way in our discomfort because of the mere fact that He is with us.
Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10
‘Fear” and “afraid” here also pertain to their cousins of stress, worry, doubt, anxiety, etc. But mone of those can stand a chance against knowing that the King of kings is not only with you but holding through this uncomfortable season.
Ask the Lord to help you sense His presence inside and all around you.
2. This hour is literally temporary.
There are so many uncomfortable mini-seasons in my recent past that felt so long and burdensome at the time that actually went by quickly as I reminisce from my current view point. The journal entries during those times read like scripts from a Tyler Perry drama. Very much I can do bad all by myself, very much Taraji P Henson in Acrimony. And what was the most uncomfortable, painful times of my life, I can barely remember the details about.
The morning may take her sweet time to come but when she does decide to show up, she brings joy and the weeping ceases to endure. So much joy that you’ll forget the sensation of pain that caused the weeping in the first place. It will never be a matter of if this season ends; it’s always a matter of when it does.
As there is a season for everything, there is a scheduled time for this uncomfortable, undesirable season to end. It’s temporary. That’s encouraging.
3. It’s Literally Refining You
As a Called Creative, you should expect to be refined and shaped by suffering. We should anticipate it as no strange or uncommon thing. It says so in the Called Creative Handbook:
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4:12-13
Discomfort is the catalyst for greatness and glory. Accepting that you will do great exploits for the Lord is accepting that you will be molded through seasons and situations that you wouldn’t prefer to experience.
And because this season is so temporary, let’s use the little time we have to assess what exactly is being refined so that we can learn all there is to learn and stock up our toolbelt with what we need for seasons to come.
Is the rigorous academic course teaching your endurance, perseverance and perhaps a tangible skill set? Those may be helpful as you practically and spiritually serve those who need deliverance and healing.
Is clean eating building discipline? That discipline may later be needed to remain an uncompromised servant of the Lord operating in Hollywood or the music industry?
Is waking up early to pray teaching you to trust in the Lord with long suffering? That may come in handy as the prayer requests become seemingly more impossible..
Your current situation is refining you. It’s actually spiritual law that everything you experience, including this discomfort, has to work out for your good. There is no other option. Which is probably why James tells us to count it as joy or Peter tells us to rejoice when we experience sticky situations.
Sit with the Lord and ask Him, “how is this current circumstance refining me? Help me to see how this can work for my good”.
Called Creative, consider the three Hebrew boys who were thrown in the fire. I’m quite sure we agree that it was a bit uncomfortable being in that fiery furnace which was turned up seven times hotter than its original temperature.
We can also agree on these three things:
Jesus was in the fire with them as He is with you
They weren’t in that furnace for long as you won’t be either
That experience further confirmed their trust in the Lord as yours will do for you
Hang in there. I’m praying for you.
Comment below with your thoughts.
xoxo,
Khiara
A Called Creative for Called Creatives
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