ON BECOMING R.E.D!!!!

A number of people have said to me "Red looks so good on you" and I agree because I believe this doesn't just apply to my physical appearance but my mental and spiritual appearance.

A couple of months ago would have been what I would normally describe as "rock bottom" for me but this was a point in my life where I really understood what it meant to have your identity in Christ. These where moments I cherished and nourished, for in them were valuable lessons and pointers towards the RED direction.

Lately, it's been RED on my mind...and no I don't mean red dresses and lipsticks I mean Ruth, Esther and Deborah, my favourite heroines in the Bible.


As much as I love to rock red on the outside, I aspire to be a RED on the inside. I aspire to be like Ruth whom the Bible recorded to be a woman who impacted the genealogy of Christ. A woman who through transformation, became a woman of immense faith, strength and devotion to her family and her lord. She was a woman who feared the lord and walked in faith, she worked hard and took care of her family. She was resourceful, intentional and productive, knew the value of time when taking care of her family and didn't waste it, making sure her family doesn't suffer from her laziness. Indeed she was a virtuous woman and proverbs 31 was her game.

Esther was a woman of courage who found favour before God and before kings. She walked in beauty like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies. Though her beauty made way for her, her personility, character and humility kept her on track. She was described as the heroine who saved her nation from destruction. A woman of purpose with great vindictiveness, strength and charm.

Deborah who was described as Israel's holy lady, was one of the most talented women of the bible - A wife, mother, prophetess, poet, singer, judge and leader. Her life was a wonderful illustration of the power that womanhood has to influence the society for good.  Deborah was a woman who knew her identity in Christ. She was a woman of great faith, confronted wrongs, took actions to help others. She was a Godly woman whose leadership abilities restored Israel's security.

The stories of these three biblical women daily inspires me, and reminds me that God has called us to be the RED's of our time. So, I no longer worry about my struggles because I know God is preparing me for greatness. Through my trials I have learnt that greatness comes with distress and distress builds your capacity for greatness. Here is an illustration of God's preparation of greatness for me.

Dear God,

I have given it my all. I have given my life everything I have within my heart and soul. No matter how much effort I put forth, no matter how hard I work, I still fail. I am sick of this. I am miserable.  Why are you not present in my struggle?

Forever Yours,

Nora

My Child,

First and foremost, I love you. I don’t want you to ever forget who I am. I am present in every aspect of your life, I know you better than you know yourself. I have each hair on your head numbered, every thought cataloged, and your entire life is before me.

There is no doubt, what you are doing is difficult. What I have called you to is going to be a struggle. But child, I will tell you this; Those who are called to do extraordinary things have the toughest paths. Your struggle is not because I have abandoned you, it is because I am with you. You will do great things in your life, but right now, I am training you.

My girl, I have plans for you. You will lead a great multitude of people, you will show them love, and I will work through you to save souls. The truth is, child, you could not handle that position right now. For what I have called you to do, there is an immense amount of training that you must undergo in a very short period of time.

Right now, you are failing. Child, keep your chin up. Don’t quit. I am teaching you perseverance. Some day you will have a home, a husband and children to take care of. Your problems and stressors won’t simply go away, you will have to learn how to balance your work and family, and that is precisely what I am teaching you at this very moment.

In addition to perseverance, I am teaching you work ethic and time management. I am teaching you to work more efficiently and without distraction. When you become a wife and a mother, you will have a family and the duties that are associated with such a position. There will be times when all you have time to do is work and care for your family. There will be times when you wake up at 5 AM so you can accomplish everything that you need to do that day. And child, let me tell you what – You will love every second of it, because you will be walking with Me.

You have lofty goals, and I have lofty goals for you – bet let us not jest… if this path were easy, everybody would do it. In the meantime, find joy in your work, and remember that my plan is to prosper you, not to harm you. Work diligently in what you do, plan your time, and honor Me – you will find that your path becomes far more rewarding.

Sincerely,
Your Loving Father

I hope this encourages you in your time of preparation.

Have a blessed week ahead.