Before I get too deep into this post, I want to say part of it is inspired by a young lady I have a lot of respect for. Christine Caine is an evangelist, author, and public speaker. Christine and her husband Nick are best known for founding The A21 Campaign in 2008, a 501 non-profit, non-governmental organization that combats human trafficking around the globe. It is the later that myself and team of colleagues have spent the most time supporting. However, this past week she had a speaking engagement that inspired this entire post.
So here is my question to you: Which version of you matters more? Are you believing the truth of who God says you are, or are you believing the lies of who the enemy says you are? I think the biggest question in the Bible is back in the very beginning where Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit. God confronts them and he asks, “Who Told You? Who told you that you were naked?” I wonder today who told you that you were dumb, who told you that you were stupid, or who told you that you were unforgiveble? Who told you that God could never use you? Who told you that God could never love you? WHO TOLD YOU? At what point did you elevate someone else’s voice above the voice of God? At what point did you listen to the algorithms louder than you listened to God? That you listen to the abuser louder than you listen to God? That you listened to the negative comments than you listened to God? WHO TOLD YOU? I wonder what lie it is that you listen to this morning that is keeping you limited and contained, rather than stepping into the fullness of what God has for your life, because somewhere you elevated someone else’s voice above the voice of God?
I cant speak for you, but this speech that Mrs. Caine gave hit me like a ton of bricks. Why? Because I gave more power to the worldly voices than I did God’s voice. How about you? the Bible clearly says the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have seen it many times.
The enemy steels your identity. For me this was when I was married and I was constantly hearing whispers of how I would never be a good enough father. I wasn’t a desirable mate as a husband. I would never measure up in the eyes of my wife. I spent most of those years trying to build idols to myself to make up for the shortcomings I thought I had. Workplace awards, certifications, and accolades from friends were my measurements for my self worth. Who told me I wasn’t enough? Sadly, it wasn’t my wife. It wasn’t my co workers. It wasn’t, my social circle. So what did I do? I walked out. I took all the lies the enemy planted and I let those take root.
The enemy comes to kill. Satan is the killer of many things. His greatest goal, in my own opinion, is that he comes to kill your dreams. I dreamt of being a pastor back then. But no one gets to do that after going through a divorce, or so I believed. He kills your ambitions. Some have a passion so deep and so strong that when fear kicks in we listen to the voice not from God, and we tell ourselves, we won’t make it, we cant do that, or we aren’t qualified. Secret for you…If God calls you to it, He will see you through it. It has taken me many hard lessons to learn that God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. Sometimes that means we have to, no check that, we get to share our journey with others to help inspire them. We get to share those mistakes to keep them from walking down that same dark path. However, if we continue to hide from our past, or from our passions, then we leave one of the greatest gifts God is trying to give others on the table. Our story may just be the story that someone needs to hear to achieve their goals and dreams. Our story may just be the story that helps someone find God, and eternal life.
The enemy comes to destroy. One would think at this point that most of the damage is done. Sadly, the enemy is not finished, until he knows you are finished. Want to know another secret? If you are not dead, God is not done! Read that a few times, because I clearly forgot about it. My life is a series of heart aches, broken promises, people walking away, dreams being taken away, and an entire pile of self doubt, regret, and negative self talk. Thats when Christine’s speech hit me. Who told me that? It wasn’t anyone I know. Sure people have spoken ill of me, but we all go through that at one time or another. Who told me I could not be used by God? Who told me that my past was so bad no one would give me credit? Who told me I could never find peace and happiness, much less purpose again? There was only one and it was not God. So who told you?
God comes so that we may have forgiveness. God’s love is above all. These past few months something miraculous is happening, and I am just walking in it. I invite you on this journey with me. What is that dream you keep giving up on? Have you committed it to prayer? Are you blocking out all the negative comments you are getting about it? Why not? What is the one thing you are letting fear control right now? Isn’t it time to rise above the world’s opinion and step into that calling? You will never know if you can achieve your dream, your goals, or your calling until you try. I, WE, must stop letting the highlight reals of social media, the voices of our so called friend and family, and especially the voice of our enemy speak lies into our life. Go get your dream! Go pursue your calling! Go after the impossible and remember with God, all things are possible. Remember that everything you want is on the other side of fear. So let me ask you again, those negative voices you are listening to, Who Really Told You…