Retentive

The year 2020 has revealed so much of our hearts as a nation and a world. I know for me there have been some painful things that I have had to personally face, walk through and endure. So many plans in 2020 where made for many of us. Plans like family gatherings, traveling, relocating, and more. These plans where altered when COVID-19 hit us in February of 2020. Trials hit all of us like we haven’t really experienced but only read in History books as children. These trials costed some their jobs, homes, marriages, ministries and even lives. All of the plans made in 2020 have taken a major Detour. This year has definitely illuminated the importance of trusting in the Lord and that His purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 says Many are the plans in a persons heart but it is the Lords purpose that will prevail. Have you ever had a season in your life that wouldn’t workout for you? Everything that you tried to do was interrupted, cancelled or rescheduled? That sounds like the season that we are in currently. James 1:12 says Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. It has definitely taught us to be steadfast and unmoved when it comes to our wavering faith in the system’s we trust. Through this season many of us have been in the grinder of life and for the most part this has definitely been a crushing season. Remember when you where a teen and your parents told you that you couldn’t go outside? Weather it was because it wasn’t safe, they didn’t agree with your choice of friends or that you where on punishment? You would think each night that you cannot wait until you are 18 and that you would be an adult and do as you wish. Well I have great news, welcome to being an adult and welcome to doing what you like and still being told what to do. We have been told to wear masks, stay inside and to socially distance ourselves and for most of us we have opted to do as we wish because “we are grown”. Well friends let me submit this to you. Have you ever told your children they couldn’t do something? Have you ever told your children they couldn’t or must wear something that they did not want? If so be mindful of your response to your leadership and remember you are teaching your children how to respond to you. This is a season where we are being tested on all sides. Let us consider obedience in the midst of opposition. Let us consider 1 Peter 5:6-8 that reads “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. When I think about this scripture much it applies to this time when dealing with this pandemic and our families and their safety. Let us continue to be obedient to the rules created to keep us safe. Let us continue to pray for our children and loved ones. Let us be unmoved when it applies to wearing a mask , staying socially distant or whatever it is that we don’t want to do for our protection.
This season will not last forever it won’t be long before we will be back to enjoying our time in the great outdoors. This is a season that God is establishing our faith, trust and confidence in Him and not in the things of this world. 1 Peter 5:10 says
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Through this time God is able to Perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. Let’s look at the Strongs Concordance a little deeper.
Perfect in the Greek definition means to complete or repair.
Establish means to turn in a certain direction.
To strengthen to confirm with spiritual knowledge and power.
To settle means to lay the foundation or to consolidate. Let us remain Retentive in His promises and in His will throughout adversity. To be Retentive means to hold secure or intact. Let us hold fast to our confidence and faith that the Good work that He started He is well able to complete.

Conclusively

This sounds so amazing. I love the fact that God is able to 1st repair us, gives us directions to turn or go to, endows is with knowledge and power to operate then He settles or lays the foundation after he has dealt with us. Remember what you are currently going through God is strengthening your Character, your spirit and your mind. Trust in the Lords process and let Him work!! Let’s remain steadfast my friends this season, even the parts that hurt most are creating in us a character that can not be tainted or discredited.