When You Run...


Sometimes, we can run.

…and run…and run…

Until we hit a wall. Energy sapped. Resources drained. And we’re left with nothing. No will to do a thing except for lay there. Waiting.

Waiting for resolve…for answers…for understanding...for energy...(and maybe a pillow!) 

And sometimes, we get that. Sometimes, a good Samaritan will come along and bless our socks off. They’ll come just at the right time to pour the richness of grace, strength and power back into our wanting souls. And, when they do, we are so grateful. They are the ones that we remember, talk about, pray for and acknowledge. They are the ones that our Heavenly Father used to restore us back to His service.

And with grateful hearts, we run again. Faster than before. We run because we've been told that there is so much ground to cover for righteousness and so little time left. Each day that passes is one day closer to the day that Jesus will return. So, we run because we "ought to." But, we don't always have that true clarity or concrete understanding of why we are running so hard.

And before long, we are back to where we were before. We poured ourselves out for those who would receive us – who were hungry for God. We gave of our time and our resources. But no resolution - no understanding - we can't seem to see any change. All we feel is tired. And we look up from all of our activity and wonder what we've been doing with our time.

We're disappointed. Disheartened.

Why? Because we were not careful to ensure that we were plugged in to God and relying on His strength, we end up zapped once more. And this time, we are just plain tired of the cycle. We’re ready to throw in the towel and let somebody else run.

Have you been there?

If you can answer with an honest, maybe even resounding "YES", then I want to encourage you today. I'm telling you right now that running is only good when you are connected to God.

In this connection, you will run at the pace and in the direction that He deems appropriate. But running at your own self-determined pace and in your self-guided direction, will only make you tired, frustrated and disheartened. And ultimately, you will burn out and start questioning yourself. Therefore, it is always best to seek the Lord for His assignment for you. Doing works for God only qualifies when you are doing the work He has told you to do. We cannot be everywhere doing everything – that’s why we have to focus on His will – then do it.

If you will ask Him where to go and what to do, and how fast to do it, He will tell you. He will give you the instructions that you need for the run. But also know that sometimes, He will require that you walk. Everything is not going to be "quick and done." No, instead, you will have to, out of necessity, walk when He says and run when He says. But the good news is this - when you run according to His will - you will run and never get weary. So, it's good to run, but when on the God-ordained track for your life and His pace and in His timing. It's there that you'll let go of frustration and find fulfillment and purpose.


Copyright Beams of Light Ministries

2 New Music Updates

So, I have some good news! Mandisa released a new song entitled “Stronger” last week. I have listened to that song umpteen times already and I love it. It motivates me to keep doing whatever it is that I’m doing so that I get stronger. I’ve used it in my playlist when I’m exercising. I’ve used it when I’ve been doing tedious tasks to keep myself going. It’s just a good song. Great job Mandisa. Oh, and by the way, Mandisa dropped 100lbs. She’s STRONGER!

You can listen to Mandisa's single here.

Also, Hillsong United released their new album. I got it yesterday but I cannot give you a full write-up yet. I haven’t heard all of the songs but so far, so good.

So, I've got a busy week this week packed with meetings but I will post a new article soon. Promise! :-)


Copyright Beams of Light Ministries

The Steps Matter

My Pastor preached a phenomenal message this past Sunday. One of the things that made it so good to me was that he referenced how we are all on a journey. None of us have "arrived". Some of us are at different points on the journey and thus, when we "get the victory" over something, it may look different from somebody else's "victory". And, funny thing, each time he gave an example, I went to my idea of victory whereas his answer fell shorter than I expected. But for that person, at that point on their journey, it was victory. Let me give you an example, just for clarification.

My Pastor gave an example of when men would see an attractive woman, they would get up and go chase after her. Now, since they are on this spiritual journey where they are allowing God to work in their lives, when they see an attractive woman, they do a quick look then continue on with what they were doing. That's progress. And for them, that progress is victory. Now, when he gave the example, I thought he was going to say that the man didn't look at all, or even just said hello or something a la spiritual and not sensual. That was where I thought he was going, but no, he stopped way before that. And it made me think. There are many steps on the road of our journey and each step matters.

Each step in progression is indeed victory! That is progress. It's not necessarily that you have to make it to a landmark to record victory. Instead, it's that you took the steps leading in the right direction! Ah, that's good! So, now, when I am working towards a goal, I will remember to count (and treasure) the steps in between as victories on my way to achieve my ultimate goal. The steps matter.


Copyright Beams of Light Ministries

When the Past Becomes Present

What do you do when the past forces itself  into the present?

I had a recent chase of past "ghosts" reappearing. And, I have to tell you, my reaction stunned me a little. Without getting into the back story, let's just say that I never, ever, expected to see, hear from, or communicate with said "ghost". And I mean never, ever. 

As a result, I've had to do some tusseling with myself. Yes, me and myself! I've had to deal with some issues that I thought I dealt with in the past. That's always so disappointing to realize that you haven't sealed up everything in the manner in which you previously thought. But, praise God, I got another crack at it. This time, I'm at a different phase of life and can see the "ghost" and related situations with a completely different perspective. So, now, I just have to make my flesh see what my mind and heart already see. My flesh, which would have quite a few sharp words to say to this "ghost" will simply have to submit to the will of God. My flesh will have to be gracious and kind - loving even, to said "ghost". My flesh is not going to get the victory because my flesh will exemplify a godly response. No tantrums allowed. My heart and mind are set to demonstrate Christ and my flesh is going.to.comply. Period.

No, I didn't expect the reappearance, but I can praise God for it. It has shown me where I had an area of lack that needed a little more prayer. It has shown me when I needed to revisit some old wounds that have those tell-tell scabs and let the healing power of God come right in and work. And when God completes this work,  I will  no longer bear any evidence of the original wound. No scabs y'all. I can dig it.

So, even in the midst of the surprise and resultant tusseling, I am better off having come smack dab face-to-face with this "ghost." I have to say, what the "ghost" may have meant for my bad, God turned it around for my good and now, I'm scab free! Healed. Whole. So, that's how I've dealt with this blast from the past. And, I hope that it will, in some small way, encourage you in the event that your past tries to sneak into your present.

See you next week!

Copyright Beams of Light Ministries