Hello! This is obviously my first post and I'm new to this so bear with me. I wasn't sure exactly what to write as my first post, but felt led to write a letter to my sisters. Now, I have one biological sister, so I'm referring to all women I know or will ever know in my lifetime. I know so many women who are hurting, struggling to survive, and dealing with situations that seem unbearable. Let me talk to you about the One who can change your entire life...
Dear Sis,
I know you're hurting. I can see it on your face, hear it in your voice. I know your story. I know you hug your pillow at night crying out for someone, anyone, to rescue you. Your self esteem is low, you seek validation through men, women, friends, jobs, money, sex. You think that if you can get that job, that car, that MAN (or woman), that new purse...that you will feel better. Somehow, you know deep inside that you're wrong...because even after you've acquired those things, you're EMPTY...
Or maybe you hate yourself...You say, oh no, that's not true...I LOVE ME! Well, tell me why you've gone from one man's bed to another, living with this guy, having babies with another. You go to the clubs to have fun with your girls, getting drunk, high, whatever...barely dressed...then go home with some guy you barely know...Then you wake up...and even though you supposedly had fun, and got some...YOU'RE EMPTY.
Or maybe you're the career woman, climbing the corporate ladder. You've earned the MBA, you've got the high paying job, but all you want is to have a man, a husband, to complete your life. You've worked so hard to get where you are, but the one thing you desire, doesn't seem to come to fruition. You secretly envy your friends who are walking down the aisle and starting their families. Rather than being happy for them, you cry your eyes out the next time another friend gets engaged.
OR maybe, you are a mom. Every day is a struggle. You love your child(ren). His/Her/Their father is around sometimes, or maybe not at all. Child support is sporadic. You go to school, you work full time...you get little to no financial assistance. You're stretched so thin trying to be mom, dad, teacher, counselor, chef, and chaffeur. The bills pile up and you spend your time trying to rob Peter to pay Paul. Your nerves are bad, you're so overwhelmed that you need medicine just to sleep...or maybe your medicine is alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. You're empty.
Now, you may not always feel this way about your life. We all have good days and bad days. You know your situation, you know yourself. And you know that you're empty. There is something missing in your life and you want it fixed. You want it filled, and you do whatever you have to do to fix it. Well, I have some good, no GREAT news!
You don't have to DO anything...just believe.
Someone already did it all for you. You don't have to seek a job, a man, sex, money. You are complete, in Jesus. Let me explain. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". What does this mean? Well, a yoke is a piece of equipment that goes over the shoulders of two animals for the purpose of carrying of pulling something. Another view of a yoke can be an object over a person's shoulders, connecting two items, such as a bucket on opposite sides. A yoke can be heavy and burdensome. Jesus said His yoke was easy. Think of it like this: when you surrender your all to Him, it's as though he picks up the issues you carry, making your life easier, easing your burdens. Now, life ain't easy...but Jesus will give you peace, rest, and relief. So He says to take His yoke, it's easier than doing this thing called life by yourself. Here's another example: You are carrying a heavy box down some stairs. You take the first step and realize it's too heavy to proceed. No one is available to help. Frustrated, you put the box down and find someone to help you carry the box. You call your friends, family, boyfriend...you look everywhere for help. No one can help you. But then...this big, strong, very nice man walks by and says, "Hey, I can help you with that!" He picks up the box with ease and puts in your car. He then tells you that he lives close by and can help you anytime. By taking Jesus' yoke, you are connecting to Him, which makes whatever you do in life easier. It doesn't all go away, but He is right there with you, and helps you carry whatever load (obstacle, oppression, burden, stress) you come across.
The Message translation says it beautifully: (Matthew 11:28-30) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
When we have had less than ideal experiences and outcomes in our lives, we turn to STUFF or PEOPLE, to make us feel good. Some of us turn to unhealthy relationships, some turn to our jobs. No matter what, WE try to fix our lives somehow. We do things that do (or do not) make us feel good--but we are still unhappy. We seek to fill a void because something is missing.
I want to encourage you to seek Jesus.
I'm sure you've heard of Him, and you probably even believe in Him. You might even go to church and participate in ministries. You probably have a Bible and know a few scriptures, and you know how to shout at church. But...DO YOU REALLY KNOW HIM?
Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-33(NIV) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."See, if you seek Him, your life WILL CHANGE! I believe that. Hebrews 11:6 says that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Well, what's the reward? No, it's not that house, car, or relationship...it's HIM! It's the peace you desire, the joy you want restored. Let HIM heal you! I could easily tell you to stop doing x...y...z and whatever else because those things are contrary to God's Word. But you see, through my walk, I have found that even when I KNEW my lifestyle choices were wrong or against the Word of God, I still engaged in the wrong things. My life did not honor Him. But as I began to seek His face daily, my mind began to be renewed. I began to see myself the way God saw (sees) me...and finally understanding how much He loves me, I let go of the relationships,the compromising, low self-esteem. Romans 12:2 says that we are to be transformed by the renewing of your mind! How can I renew my mind? By prayer, and studying His word. In Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) David said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path."
His Word will guide you, teach you, convict you. The Message translation says "By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path." God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8 (NLT): "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
Sis, I have a lot to say, but I will continue my letter in my next post. I will close this letter with prayer:
Father in heaven, I pray that each sister who read this letter is moved to know You more. I pray that their heart's desire is to know You, and in seeking a relationship with You, they will be healed of their pain, hurt, drama, poor self-esteem/self-worth and anything else that has held them hostage for so long. Daddy I pray for all the single mothers, that they will seek You, and trust in You completely. I plead the blood of Jesus over every single person whose eyes view this today. In Jesus' name, Amen!
