Full Circle

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

Recently, I was going through my pictures on my phone. In part, I was looking for a specific image, and in another aspect, I was looking to delete some photos. I have 24,000 photos on my phone. I know, a lot, right? As I was going through some of the photos, I came across pictures that I had not seen in a while. Images of me laughing with friends, views of nature signifying that I was there, and screenshots of memes that aligned with my current journey at the time. Just a lot of photos that had importance and brought emotions. Seeing these photos and sending them out to my family and friends for nostalgia made me grateful. It is incredible to look up and see myself in a different chapter. A chapter of answered prayers. Down to the smallest prayer, it's been a blessing to celebrate my full circle. Man, I am grateful.

Grateful to God for his promises but thankful for his deliverance. In between the space of where I used to be and where I am today is God's grace. It is his word. It is the beauty in knowing that he has never failed. He is the same God who was gracious to Sarah and Abraham and allowed them to become parents when it looked impossible. And he's the same God who stands at my door every day and knocks- never letting go of me.

"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." Genesis 21:1-2

Take a complete inventory of your life. Look at how good God has indeed been. Many of us are in a "full circle" season. God has shown you more and more why that relationship didn't work, why you had to leave that job, why that friendship had to end, and why you were isolated. It was because God's promises are true and because he loves us too much to allow us to stay stagnant. Isn't that good news? The promises of God energize me, but the deliverance on that promise from God sustains me. Fills me with gratefulness. Fills me with hope. Impregnates me with vision and allows me to birth what he has specifically for me.

Take a look over your life and think things over. Feel the power creep up into your belly, let it stir up praise, let it ignite a new fire, and allow your thankfulness to erupt. Let your worship send lack back to its owner, let your worship and praise for how far you've come to send limitations back to its owner, and let your worship and praise for how far you've come to send brokenness back to its owner. Because those things are no longer your portions and will no longer weigh you down.

I can say openly that I've broken before, but I am joyous and free today. I don't let shame, regret, or my sins fill my head up because I can stand and see how far I've come and know it is only because of His grace and mercy. I remind myself DAILY that I am still here, making mistakes, picking myself up, praying, and being faithful, and I am better than before. 

We didn't believe that we could make it through in many instances, but look at where you're standing today. My God in heaven, you are standing and surviving 100% of your trying days. Take a moment today to stand in gratefulness, don't think about what's ahead. Focus on today. Look at what you've accomplished. That's what matters right now in this sacred moment. Even with all of your flaws, you are still a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand (Isaiah 62:3). God is not man, so when he speaks-it will come to pass. It will happen when he calls for the sun and the moon to light up the sky. When He calls you free- you are free. When He calls you healed, you are healed. Allow your heart to be filled with gratefulness because He's the Same God, the same faithful, miracle-working creator today as he was 2000 years ago- talk about full circle. Ain't that good news?