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God’s Vision for You
I grew up in the church and was raised by Christian parents, but during my college years, I began to question everything about my faith and relationship with Christ. I became lost in the sauce of demonic oppression and deception. I was the backslider, the adulterer, the harlot, the haughty woman, the prodigal daughter, and the fool that we hear about in Scripture. I thank God that my story didn’t end on this path. Today I am redeemed, holy, set apart and set free by the greatest emancipator and freedom fighter in the world.
Though the specifics of my story may not be your experience, maybe you can relate to having your faith challenged. The devil does not want you to see Jesus correctly, divide the word rightly (2 Timothy 2:15), and embrace yourself fully as a daughter of the Most High God. Satan is “prowling around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) to confuse you, frustrate you, and weaken you so that you will forfeit the blessings of the abundant life in Christ (John 10:10).
If racism, sexism, relational disappointment, or the stress of living as a Black woman in this world has worn you down, maybe you have been tempted to question the relevance of trusting in an invisible God who at times feels distant and disinterested in your life. Maybe you have felt close to God but after a series of choices and compromises, you have drifted from him. Maybe you can relate to wrestling with your faith, weary with the evil of the world, hurt by the church, unsure of your purpose, or in need of encouragement as a Black Christian woman to keep on keeping on.
If that is you, you are in good company.
No matter what your story is, I want you to know God loves you, sees you, wants relationship with you, and has a gospel vision for your life that the world’s offerings cannot rival. I pray the Lord will fortify your faith and give you endurance so that you can grow, “walk worth of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1), and experience the love, joy, peace, and strength that is a part of your birthright as a new creation in Christ.
Have you ever experienced drifting away from God? How does knowing that God has a vision for your life keep you anchored?
About this Plan
God made, loves and commissions you as a Black woman. He wants to show you how to root your identity in Him, see His purpose for you, and find real rest. In this week’s devotional, Dr. Sarita Lyons explores what it looks like to flourish in Christ as the Black women God made us to be.
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