Faith in Action

Yesterday was a Sunday in which I didn't particularly want to get up to go to church. Sleep has been scarce these last few days and my body is sore from my first spinning class. But like most mornings when I have these feelings, I tugged along and made it to church. But, as if I wasn't having enough of my own issues, my sweet baby boy succumbed to his toddler ways that lead to even more annoyance on this holy day--even me getting peed on in church--the joys of potty training.

Nonetheless boy did I hear a word from the Lord. The sermon was titled Let Go and Let God preached by our special guest Rev. Robert A. Diggs, Senior Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. The key verse from this sermon was one of the last seven words uttered from Jesus when he was on the cross: And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46 KJV)

Rev. Diggs talked a lot about the different meanings of the word commend. Here is what commend means from the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

1. To entrust for care or preservation.
2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or notice.
3. To mention with approbation (approbation meaning approval).

Now I have talked about letting go before but this sermon really brought a whole new meaning to the phrase let go and let God for me. Like if we are really commending our spirit, our life, and our plans to God then that means he has control in a way that transcends so many of the trivial things we experience on the day to day. We will still have times when we are hurt and disappointed. However, if we truly commend our spirit to God--man we can take over our own little corner of the world (emphasis on your own little corner not mine or another sistahs--more on staying in your lane later). This further illustrates why we can not hold on to everything. We have to let some stuff go--some extra weight, some old habits, some people, some mindsets, some jobs, whatever it is that is holding us back from or getting in the way of our God given assignment (even if we are still working out exactly what that is).

The Reverend also emphasized that when the Lord has freed us from whatever it is that was holding us back and empowered us to do whatever it is we are supposed to do, we should not let anyone else tell us differently. I believe in growth and transformation but as I mentioned before, as trivial as it may sound, we live in a world full of haters and back-stabbers. People will try to make you feel like you aren't enough. They will make you feel like you owe them something but the reality is we owe it all to God and God alone. I am all about constructive criticism but some people are just plain nasty. So be strong my friends. 

My prayer today is this: Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Thank you so much for all that you given me. Thank you for continuing to grow and develop me. Please continue to guide me on a path that allows me to continue to do your will. Teach me how to act in love even in the most difficult times. Help me to remain humble. Show me how to lead with compassion. Give me strength when my body is weak. Give me hope when there is despair. Watch over those near and dear to my heart and bless them according to your will. Bless those who curse me Lord. Help us all to be better and do better so that our actions are pleasing in your sight. Let us be blessed Father so we can be a blessing to others. These and all things I ask in your son Jesus's name, Amen.