Jane Samuel is the Co-Founder of Destiny Point Ministries and the author of Start Living: Awaken the Jesus Life in You. Jane regularly teaches at Church and is passionate to see people experience the overflowing life Jesus came to give. She resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two children.
The cool spring morning was a welcome change after weeks of blustery winter. Soon, the soft white petals of the Bradford Pear that shaded our front yard would spurt leaves, and summers would become unbearably hot. Determined to enjoy the season while it lasted, I grabbed a light sweater and beckoned the children to follow me.
I plopped a lawn chair on the driveway and emptied a bucket of sidewalk chalk on the adjoining grass. Slurping popsicles with one hand and doodling with the other, they giggled and scribbled excitedly. Soon the concrete canvas would become a masterpiece, a collage, a hodge-podge of imagination and creativity.
Momentarily lost in a book, I lifted my gaze to survey the assortment. A hopscotch outline, stick figures of family members, a sunflower, a tulip, a car that resembled Lightning McQueen, an orange sun, a winding road, a towering mountain, and this: In large letters shaded pink with a pattern of bright white stars were the words: ANGIE IS AMAZING. “Isn’t it beautiful, Mommy?” she beamed.
I nodded, “Yes!” grinning. I thought so too.
The day ended, but the declaration was visible from three houses down. It made my heart happy every time I glanced at it, walked up to the mailbox, or drove up from work. It washed away in a few weeks until the faint resemblance of it was no longer visible. But it stayed in my heart forever.
I wondered if I would be caught writing something like that. Would I scribble it on a driveway for everyone to see, or hire a blimp to float it across the sky? Would I flaunt it, proclaim it, announce it fearlessly? Even if I did, it would be one thing to say it, and another thing to believe it. My seven-year-old didn’t just write it. She believed it. She was convinced. And no one could tell her otherwise.
Do you remember your seven-year-old self? You, too, believed you were amazing. And you weren’t ashamed to say it. But somewhere at the intersection of growing up and getting real, you stopped believing. But the truth is, you still are. You may not doodle it on your driveway, or blast it on your desktop, but God has written it in your heart. The Psalmist proudly wrote this song about himself, not knowing it would echo in the hearts of everyone for millennia to come:
For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in your book they all were written. The days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them (
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
NKJV).
Not only has God created you beautifully, but He has chosen your unique personality, talents, and gifts that make you exclusive. You are irreplaceable. Jesus encouraged His disciples to approach the Kingdom of God like a little child ( ). There is something about childlike faith that is simple yet powerful. Will you return to that childlike faith today? What you believe about yourself can change your life, especially when it parallels what God believes about you.
Copyright © February 2020 Jane Samuel, used with permission.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NKJV)
As a total introvert, I must confess that I have relished the recent lockdown to a fault. The sounds of, “Where are we going today?”, “What are the plans for the weekend?”, “What restaurant are we eating at?”, “What should I wear to such and such place?” and, “Who is playing what game when,” have all become non-existent, and I am cherishing every second of it. Honestly, I am a little worried that when this reprieve ends, it will be like the jolt of a fun roller coaster ride that comes to a sudden halt.
But unfortunately, what has been a pleasant stretch for me, has been an unwelcome and difficult spell for many. Some, deemed non-essential have lost their income, some have lived in fear of losing their lives, some have battled depression and anxiety, and some, like my widowed Dad who lives far away from us, and alone, have not experienced human proximity in months.
Joyce Meyer, the renowned Bible teacher, once said that instead of questioning, “When God, when?”, “Why God, why?”, and “How God, how?” we must simply trust Him. Those questions, no doubt, inevitably lurk in the back of all of our minds. We wonder when God will get rid of this pandemic. And how He plans to do it, and if He doesn’t do it soon enough, why He would allow an invisible enemy to taunt our lives for so long.
Certainly, it is in times like this that our faith is truly tested.
What is faith in God anyway? Is it the ability to move mountains? Is it the capability to curse something and see it wither right away? Is it to speak something into existence and see it appear in an instant? While all those things certainly prove the power of God, faith is also simply trusting God when the circumstances don’t look right.
states,
“For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJV)
Though we don’t know when we will be rewarded or in what fashion we will be rewarded, we must believe that He is a rewarder, and there is a reward for those who seek Him. This is the hope that we who are people of faith, must echo. We believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord even when we do not know when that will be. We exemplify our faith in God through our perseverance, demonstrating that He is worthy of our trust.
Recently, my daughter wanted us to help her hang up décor in her room. Her Dad and I said we couldn’t do it that weekend. She was a little disappointed, but imagine her surprise when she found out the reason we did not put up the décor that weekend was because we had purchased an entire set of new décor for her birthday, which was a few days later. Often, God does the same with us. He has something better in mind that we know nothing of. If we will patiently trust Him, He has promised that we will see His goodness.
Copyright © June 2020 Jane Samuel, used with permission.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NLT)
It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we found ourselves traipsing the Fort Worth Stockyards. Known for its brick walkways and wooden corrals, what was once host to Texas’ livestock industry, was now a piece of western heritage, lit up with Christmas lights and garlands of red and green. Throngs lined the sidewalks to catch a glimpse of the twice-daily cattle drive, while others bustled in and out of shops and restaurants.
We had barely passed the petting zoo and the carriage rides when our little boy stopped at the sight of a life-sized maze. In bright letters, it boasted a 5,400 sq. ft. labyrinth of wooden passageways constructed to resemble an actual cattle pen. Unable to look away at the immensity of it, he quickly got our permission and stood in line.
“See if you can find the letters M - A - Z - E before you exit,” the attendant bellowed above the noise of the busy street as she handed him a ticket. Accepting the challenge, he and his older sister took off.
Clutching my camera, I followed my husband as we climbed a wooden staircase that promised a scenic overlook. The landing was crowded but I inched my way to the edge of the stiff railing. I gasped at the view below. It was a complete unhindered layout of the maze. I looked for my kids to see if they had made any headway. They hadn’t. But from atop the overlook, the maze was crystal clear. I felt like a child in a restaurant who had been handed a kids’ menu with a maze to complete. With an imaginary crayon, I checked off all four letters and exited the jumbled mess in record time.
I snapped from my pretense when I heard what sounded like the names of my little ones. My husband had joined the chorus of parents flocking the overlook, all issuing well-meaning orders to their youngsters. “Turn left!” “Turn right!” “Enter here.” “Not there.” On and on the cries overlapped. Some listened, others didn’t. Ours yelled back at us that they wanted to solve the puzzle at their own pace. So we watched patiently as they zipped in and out the wooden trails and finally made their way out.
“It was harder than I thought, mom!” my son exclaimed.
“Come with me.” I grabbed his hand and led him until he was 30 feet taller.
“Wow!” he exhaled, as he gaped at what looked like an aerial photograph. The maze was now no different from ones he’d completed in a puzzle book.
We stood there for a few minutes drinking in the view.
I thought to myself that God must have a picture quite similar to this. His perspective is vast and perfect, while mine is inaccurate and limited. He is not stumped by dead ends, blind alleys, or patterns that repeat. He is never frustrated, lost or confused. His ways are higher, and His conclusions are right. He sees the end from the beginning ( ) and nothing is hidden from His sight. And He wants to lead me.
Lord I trust your wisdom, I whispered under my breath. You know best, and it is my privilege to obey you.
Copyright © 2019 Jane Samuel, used with permission.
"... I will fear no evil ..." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NKJV)
Have you ever screamed, thinking you stepped on a spider, only to realize it was a stray black thread? Or has your heart ever raced at that phone call from school, only to learn that little Johnny had won an award? Or have you ever panicked when your texts went unanswered, simply to discover your spouse’s phone battery had died?
If you are like me, you probably answered, “Yes!” to at least one or all of these.
Don’t we have a tendency to imagine the worst? We admit a fearful thought; our creative mind chimes in, willingly embellishing details to nonexistent situations. We picture it in vivid color as it flashes across the backdrop of our make-believe set. We choose a comfortable seat and watch it, mesmerized as if it were an award-winning movie. Only when the credits roll, do we realize this made-up scenario was nothing but a far-fetched invention of our fearful fancy.
So is there an antidote to overactive harmful imagination?
I’ve started chewing on this curative capsule from the brave, bold, optimistic Psalmist: I will fear no evil. (NKJV)
What if this cold is more than just a cold? I will fear no evil.
What if I run out of money? I will fear no evil.
What if something bad happens to my spouse? I will fear no evil.
What if my kids fall in with the wrong crowd? I will fear no evil.
What if someone breaks into my house? I will fear no evil.
What if I get into an accident? I will fear no evil.
How about you? Do you fear evil? Do you combat an unfounded, irrational fear that keeps you from enjoying life? Do you suffer a chronic expectation of the worst?
If so, contemplate with me, David’s reason as to why he said he would fear no evil.
"... I will fear no evil; for You are with me ..." (NKJV italics mine)
Let’s read that again.
For You are with me.
Isn’t the knowledge of our Shepherd’s constant and comforting presence reassuring?
Friend, we are called to live unafraid of evil.
Evil people.
Evil things.
Evil places.
Evil events.
Evil threats.
Evil diseases.
Evil outcomes.
Evil days.
Fearful thoughts will come. We can’t prevent that. And not all those will be unfounded or irrational. Some will be justifiable and shake us to the core. But if we allow the truth of God’s Word to descend into our spirit, we will be able to draw it out at the right moment. Like a warrior armed and ready for battle we will be equipped. We will be prepared to wield it in the face of an alarming report. Brandish it at the news of possible lay off. Believe it at the threat of impending lawsuit. Trust it in the midst of irreparable loss. As long as our Shepherd is with us, we fear no evil.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ( NKJV)
Copyright © 2017 Jane Samuel, used by permission.
For God bought you with a high price. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NLT
The sick feeling that I might never see my wedding ring again intensified by the minute. Fighting the urge to panic, I faintly recollected that while driving to a grocery store that morning, at a stoplight I had taken it off of my finger to apply hand lotion. Did I forget to put it back on? Did it stay on my lap for the entire drive and fall off in the parking lot when I stepped out of the car? God forbid!
Gripped by the possibility of that situation and realizing that it was now seven hours since, I grabbed my purse, jumped behind the wheel, and stepped on the gas. In desperation, I prayed, begged, and pleaded that I would set my eyes on it again. Replacing it would be costly. But living with the guilt of my irresponsibility would be worse.
The 15 minutes to get there was pure agony. I hopped out of the car, got on all fours, and the hot gravel sank into my palms and knees. I looked like a fool but I peered under each parked car and checked every inch of that dusty lot. My unbelieving eyes finally fell on a shimmering diamond ring! Yes! It was my wedding ring. The ring that my husband and I had bought for our seventh wedding anniversary. The ring that had at times provoked compliments even from total strangers. The same ring I thought I would never see again.
Relieved beyond words, I drove home with tears running down my cheeks, happily clinging to that precious rock. I promised God and myself that I would never be this careless again. But in spite of my relief, I could not escape the nagging thought that my beautiful ring had actually sat there all day, ignored, lost, unnoticed, and unwanted.
Years later, I too felt like a diamond ring. Not the kind displayed in a jewelry store under bright lights, encased in soft velvet and gazed upon by ready buyers. But a diamond ring that is forgotten, misplaced, and gathering dust. Then on one particular day for no apparent reason, I received so much affirmation that I felt loved, valued, and important. I felt alive. I wanted to treasure that day forever and relive its moments over and over again. But in the hours that followed, the Lord reminded me that it is not the praise of man or the bright lights I stand under that determine my value. It is who I am intrinsically. I have the same value whether I am in the light or the shadow. I have the same value whether noticed or unnoticed. I possess the same value whether affirmed or disregarded. A diamond remains a diamond whether on the floor of a parking lot or on a pedestal in a jeweler’s window.
Can you relate? Satan even came to Jesus at an opportune time and questioned His worth. “If you are the Son of God, then... ” ( NKJV italics mine). But unshakably grounded in His Father’s love, Jesus shot back without a flicker of doubt, “It is written….”
This same enemy, the father of lies, still moseys around probing, inquiring, and interrogating your worth. “If you are ________, then ________” This is especially true for some of us who are going through a season in life feeling invisible. Take heart. Your worth has not diminished and never will. You have been bought with a price, with the precious blood of Christ. You are that much valuable! (1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV, NKJV)
Never allow the affirmation and approval of man to replace the confidence and knowledge that God wants you to have within yourself of who you are in Him. As you become established in the truths of what God’s Word says about you, you will discover that your value is intrinsic and not dependent on external factors that seek to define your worth.
Copyright © 2017 Jane Samuel. Used by permission.
