"Praise the Lord, Chosen Women!"
This month's inspiration is being rewritten for you at 4:13 a.m. Why? I was sitting last night enjoying some Mary Mary (God in Me -- my new favorite) and had just finished writing when my son politely walked over and turned off the computer before I had time to save. Something very scary must have appeared upon my face because my husband immediately said, "Lisa, just go lay down . . . I will keep him with me!" I think he feared for Amir's little life! (smile)
I pray that your March was a month of March Gladness and not March Madness! My March was truly awesome in God! First, I want to thank those that came out to support me at the United Women in Christ Fellowship in Rialto hosted by Evangelist Sylvia Daniel. We had a phenomenal time in the Lord. God moved so profoundly and we were all so blessed. Special thanks to Evangelist Yevette Waters of Carson, CA and Evangelist Shelley Taylor of Rosamond, CA for your assistance. We will continue to inform you of upcoming speaking engagements for myself and friends of Chosen Women in hopes that you will keep us in prayer or even come out and support.
This month's message 2inspireU actually came to me through an HBO television pilot! I had been waiting for the premiere of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. Although it was classified as a comedy I was surprised to find myself tearing as the Lord ministered to me through the life of the main character, Precious. The story is set in Botswana where Precious is a private detective.
In the show we see how the seeds for inquisitiveness and adventure are planted in her youth through her close relationship with her father. He taught her how to pay close attention to details and to really listen. We see a young girl full of life and confidence gained through the love of her father. Later as an adult she marries a man that she loves and that she thinks loves her. He turns out to be an abusive man. One of his many beatings takes place while she is pregnant with their child - and she tragically loses that baby. Precious is a woman that knows heartache.
Later her father dies and leaves her an inheritance. Instead of remaining broken by the tragedies of her life she continues to pursue her passion and vision -- to move to the city, purchase a home, and open a detective agency. Precious did not allow the trials of her life to steal her ability to hope, to care and to love.
The gifts that were nurtured by her father did not die with her child. Because she continued to care and to love and to live she was able to impact the lives of others as the No. 1 Ladies Detective. She made a difference through a sensitivity that largely came from what she went through -- her suffering.
This character blessed me because I was reminded that the desert experiences in our lives are not intended to destroy us -- but to show us how strong we are through Christ Jesus. How many of us have been faced with situations that nearly took us out of here? I am not talking about a hangnail or a late cell phone payment -- I am talking about that thing that finally made you say that living one more day is not worth it. I am talking about a trial that seeks to destroy your body and soul. Yet, here you are -- alive and well!
It is through those life-altering seasons that you can TRULY discover that the Greater One is inside of you. It is through those seasons that you can TRULY discover the power of prayer, faith and the love of God. It is how He keeps us when we no longer want to be kept that can make us fall in love with Jesus all the more.
I do not think that the Lord could have ministered to me any more profoundly through a Sunday morning sermon or a weekday Bible Study. I am so glad that, like Precious, I still have my joy! I still have my smile! I still have a passion for life! I still want to share my gifts with the world and see people be blessed and enhanced!
The tests and trials did not steal my ability to believe! And most of all -- they have not made me bitter. I can still love. I do not backbite. I am not a hater. I love to see others be blessed. And (here is a big one) I am not living to prove anything to my enemies! I have found that so many wounded people live, speak and act with a mostly unknown agenda to prove somebody wrong. I am not trying to prove anything to anyone that did me wrong -- I have truly given them and those situations to God. I am not seeking vengeance or recompense from man -- I trust God! Besides, He said that vengeance belongs to Him. I am simply enjoying my life in Christ, growing with my little family, and embracing the opportunity to send out some encouragement.
If your tests have caused you to be hardened or salty or not so nice to be around or to listen to because you are the No. 1 Ladies HATER (really ask God to show you yourself -- it really could be who you are) -- then give it to Jesus and let Him give you your REAL smile back! Have a wonderful month in Him!
In Service for the Master,
Evangelist Lisa Y. Mitchell
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