Subscription Lists
Quiet Time
by Kasia Kedzia
Being faced with the things I need to change can be scary. It’s a call to greater faith. The need to trust is my invitation to look to God and no one else, to let myself be loved by Him. I can grapple with trusting, sometimes perceiving my failure before I even try. My past, my fears, my brokenness, all of these things are best placed in God’s hands. When I allow God to love me it gives me courage to face whatever I need to - the things in me I need to change or overcome.
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”
Putting ourselves out there, risking getting hurt is terrifying, but when my security is in God I handle that fear very differently. I am able to still be vulnerable and give to other people even when it’s scary. I will fall short but I’m called to try.
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Deuteronomy 31:6,8 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.”
To love is to be vulnerable. The best place to start is with God. The more vulnerable I am with God the more vulnerable it allows me to be with others. Letting people in on a deeper level allows God to use them to help me tackle my weaknesses and help me change. Yes, the other person will see your weaknesses, and they will see your crazy, but God already knows all these things. When I place my heart in God’s hands first I have confidence he will make all things clear in his time. Sometimes he places people in our lives that will inspire change in us. There are things in my character that I thought I could never change, now I’m seeing God peel away the layers.
1Jh 4:18 “We love, because He first loved us.”
People who reflect God’s love give us courage to do what we think is impossible. They may be in our lives for a moment, for a season, or a lifetime, only He knows. All we need to know is that they are here now and with His love in us we can step out on faith and give just a little more, just enough to make us uncomfortable. God uses them to push us for Him. Because doing this on my own will only lead to disappointment. Vulnerability with others while rooted in God, you know for sure you will falter and disappoint; they will hurt you too, but God will be there to put it all back together.
It’s not about changing to be a better version of myself for me or anyone else. As a Christian, it’s about me becoming better for Christ. It’s recognizing that I have been chosen for a greater purpose, for epic things, to change people’s eternity. When I see this calling more than the newest obstacle I need to overcome, I don’t let it hinder me from fulfilling my greater calling. I am empowerd to tackle it instead of recoiling in fear and predicting my failure. God’s love transforms and results in lasting change. It is what empowers me to love others better and take even the scary risks to show someone who I really am, the person God already knows. Don’t hold on too tight, enjoy the ride because not knowing where it’s going is part of the adventure, and God is along for the ride and will be there if or when you may get off.
1Jhn 3:1 “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.”
Is43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Rate it:
Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved to DC to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.
Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Through out it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.
Like what your read? Check out my blog: http://stronggirlforlife.wordpress.com/
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Quiet Time" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.