Today’s a new day! As you’re walking through a season of trials, remember you’re not the only one. Life is filled with challenging moments. But remember, it’s those tough seasons in life that build you into the person God created you to be. Every test builds a testimony. ~OC
The Race
Today’s a new day! As I continue to recover from my hospital stay, God is reminding me that He created me to be a marathoner, not a sprinter. But, I want to be a 100% now and not wait through the months of recovery. You would think after twenty-three years on this crazy beautiful health journey I would have that lesson memorized.
Throughout my entire life of playing and watching sports, some of the people I have had the most respect for are those athletes who have overcome tremendous hurdles. They work through an injury or trial in life and reach the highest levels in their respective sports.
I always loved running as a child, but never ran a marathon until after my cancer diagnosis. Even a Parkinson’s diagnosis could not keep me from running. However, as I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I realize that it’s not a sprint, but a marathon. Along the path of the race, there will be many trials and tribulations that come along our way. In any sport, teams will face tough stretches where their teamwork will be tested, but it’s how they come out of those trials that determine whether or not they will be called “champions.”
As I ran my marathons, I would often experience fatigue. In the heavenly race, we can consider fatigue to be a temptation whether it is not praying every day or letting our Bible collect dust. We all face different types of temptations and at times, we succumb to those temptations. However, Jesus wants us to drink the living water and trust in Him at all times. In John 4:13-14, we read the following words from Jesus to the woman at the well:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)
With the exception of a few very talented runners, most people run a marathon to finish the race. As Christians, we are taught to run to the finish line or in other words, until God calls us home to be with Him. After you accept the invitation to run with Jesus, there is still training that we all need in order to fully experience all that God has in store for our lives.
Our spiritual training is something we all need to do 24/7/365 in order to run the race God has specifically designed for each of us. It takes a lot of effort to stay in our lanes and sometimes we run into a few hurdles along the way, but the goal we have to remember is ultimately receiving that heavenly reward when we come face-to-face with with Jesus in heaven.
Today, I encourage you to keep running the race God has planned for your life. While it may seem difficult at times and a shortcut might seem tempting, remember the heavenly reward that God has set before us once we finish the race. His Son ran the most grueling part of the race for us when He suffered and died on the cross for us, so that we can have eternal life and have a heavenly reward. I want to encourage you to keep spending time in God’s word each day. When we are equipped with the Gospel, we can withstand any test the enemy throws at us just like our Savior did in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
I want to encourage everyone to run this amazing race with me. My hope and prayer is that everyone comes into a beautiful and personal relationship with Jesus. So as I close out today’s writing, I want to share a little of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians that I believe, sums up my post pretty well.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 3:12-14
Today, I encourage each of us to press on towards the ultimate goal. ~OC
I’m Blessed
Today’s a new day! This morning God led me to read Psalm 63. What a beautiful and encouraging chapter. I encourage each of you to take the time to read over this amazing chapter.
In Psalm 63, we read about God’s love and David’s response. It is filled with some amazing lessons. Here is one that God brought to my mind.
Have you ever said or heard someone make the statement, “I’m Blessed.” Most of us have uttered those words at least once in our lives. I do not use this phrase much, but it came to me as I was studying the scriptures this morning. So how would you describe being “blessed?” I’m glad you asked.
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I am blessed that God is present in my struggle. Knowing that I am not alone facing the uncertainties of this journey is a blessing. Feeling God’s love and kindness is a blessing. Living with the hope that my health issues are not the end of my story is a blessing.
Have you experienced God’s blessings in your own life? Think carefully. When have you felt alone, and a sudden thought or call reminded you of God’s presence? When have you been walking through a tough situation in your life and God reminded you that you’re not alone? When have you felt forgotten like nobody cares about you, and suddenly something happened that reminded you of God’s loving kindness? Each of those moments are blessings.
Remembering the ways that we have been blessed should give us a desire to give blessings. Remember in Psalm 63, we read that David chose a lifetime of singing God’s praises.
God’s blessings should transform us in such a way that they change our understanding of ourselves and of Him. Our lives should be filled with caring for others and passing on God’s blessings. Every time we take a breath, every time we speak and every time we serve.
So here is today’s challenge for each of us:
Take in a deep breath and give God praise. Allow him to remind you of all the ways he has blessed you in each area of your life. Carry those beautiful memories with you, as you go about your day and face the different challenges the day might bring. And take time to bless someone else today. ~OC
Right to Left
Today’s a new day! The Challenge for the Day:
Hurry kills presence.
Worry kills peace.
Doubt kills faith.
Ego kills love.
Now read that right to left.
Have a great day! Look for an opportunity encourage someone today. ~OC
Take a Moment
Today’s a New Day! Here is a challenge for the day.
Take a moment to just stop and take a deep breath.
Take a moment to thank God for the air in your lungs.
Take a moment to count your blessings and remember the number of blessings doesn’t matter. Embrace every blessing. Big or small.
Take a moment to look back on your life and see how far God has brought you.
Take a moment to just stop and take in God’s amazing creation.
Take a moment to capture all the blessings around you.
Today, just take a moment. ~OC
No Limitations
Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I am using a walker these days to assist me getting around. The last two weeks were tough, as I went through multiple test and treatments at the hospital. As I was sitting here thinking about everything that’s been going on with my health the last few weeks, I had to stop and give God praise. You see, the enemy thought he got the best of me because of my limited ability to get around and having to deal with two weeks in the hospital. But the truth is, my limited ability to be get around does not effect my ability to continue serving God. Never allow the enemy or anyone else to shackle you with their limitations. Keep your eyes focused on God and finish strong. ~OC
Hospitals Not Country Clubs
Today’s a new day! I was born and raised in South Florida. I am blessed to still call it home today. If you drive around South Florida, you will drive past one country club after another. In the same way, if you drive around South Florida, you will see a church on just about every corner. A church should look very different than a country club, but sadly some churches look and act no differently than the country club next door.
As I continue to walk my faith journey, I truly believe “The church should never be a country club for the healthy, but a hospital for the broken.” The church should be a place where broken people, from all backgrounds feel welcomed and loved. The Church should be a place of healing. Not a place of leisure.
As I read through the Bible, Jesus was never referred to as the Great Golf Pro or the Great Tennis Pro. No Jesus, was referred to as the Great Physician. In Matthew 9:12-13, Jesus shared “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Jesus came for those that are so sick, that they cry out to Him for a healing touch. His prescription for all of us who are broken and sick, is to surrender everything to Him. On the other hand, Jesus rejected the country club culture of the religious leaders who believed they were already “well”.
I believe, if more churches would act like the hospitals God intended for them to be, there would be people all across the aisles crying out, “Finally, I can stop pretending I have it all together.” Broken people would experience true healing.
Is the church you attend closer to a country club or a hospital? Is everyone welcome to be part of your church? Does the congregation openly welcome everyone or just those who “fit” the part? Is your church really prepared to embrace the messiness of a hospital, to truly serve your community? Is your church equipped to be an emergency room for those broken people in and around your community?
As so many churches gather this morning, I pray that they will be places where everyone is welcomed. I pray they will be places filled with people ready to love and care for the broken. I pray today, that churches would actually be a “hospital for the broken” and not just a country club with nice amenities and a great slogan. ~OC
Waiting
Today’s a new day! As I continue this current hospital stay, there is a lot of waiting around. Waiting for the next test, bloodwork, having my vitals checked and for the doctors to come by. As I wait, I often lean into the words from Galatians 5:22-23 which tells us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This fruit of the Spirit comes from…the Spirit. It’s an obvious statement, but how easy is it to actually believe that joy, peace, and patience come solely from our circumstances or situations?
Throughout my times of waiting, I have learned that true peace is not just a feeling of being happy and calm. True peace does not come from the outcome of a test result, MRI scan, or new diagnosis. No, true peace comes from knowing God and knowing that nothing can separate us from Him and His love (Romans 8:35-39). True peace comes from knowing that God has known and loved me since the very beginning of time (Psalm 139). Sometimes late at night when the fear, anxiety, and what-ifs try creeping into my thoughts, I lean into the truth of God’s word and His promises. There have been times when I had to fight for peace and had to plead with God to help me trust Him. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phillippians 4:6) when we take our anxieties and burdens to God and trust in Him. Oh, what sweet peace it is to live in as I continue to wait. ~OC
Heaven
Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk this crazy beautiful health journey, I sometimes think about the day I will actually see Jesus face to face. Of course, I hope that day is somewhere in the distant future, but thinking about that day brings me peace, comfort and hope.
I have noticed over the years, that so many Christians look forward to spending eternity with Jesus, but do not want to leave this earth to do so. They do not want to leave their loved ones. I understand that more than you know. Yet, during my long health journey, my suffering has compelled me to yearn for the relief I will find in the presence of my Savior. As I continue to walk through this season of health issues, I hang on to the hope that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. And in His presence, I will find fullness of peace and joy.
From threats of wars, division, health issues, and tragic accidents suffering is real. But as Christians we can rejoice while suffering. We can know and have confidence that suffering and death are not the end for us. We have an assurance of more. So much more. We have the hope of eternal life. And that’s what we have to hold onto when we’re suffering. My friend, if you’re currently walking through a season of suffering, know that God is with you. He has not forgotten about you. I encourage you carry the hope of heaven in your heart, knowing that God will deliver you in due season. Until then, keep living out your purpose and being a difference maker right where God has you planted. ~OC
A Time of Reflection
Today’s a new day! As Christians, if we don’t love Judas do we really love Jesus? Because Jesus loved Judas. Spend some time reflecting on that today. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 