Rejoice! It's the weak-end

The other night I caught myself posting a blog simply for the sake of posting a blog, because I was "supposed to" like y'all were just waiting around all day to see what inspirational, uplifting, faith-filled things I would say that day (LOLZ)

Here's the thing: While it is 100% my hope and my heart's desire that my post & videos DO inspire, lift-up, and fill you to the brim with the love of Christ... I am not a super-hero, and some days, I just can't.

Some days I am the one who needs to be inspired, up-lifted, and reminded of the love of Christ in my life. But there is so much goodness, and so many delicious life-lessons to be found in the midst of mistakes and weakness, and the truth is, I needed to learn these lessons in the most authentic way possible, in order that I can share my heart and experiences with all of you. Isn't that the beauty of Christ though? That even in my doubts, my weakness, and my failures He is able. He is strong. He is unrelenting.

I have found myself to be very selfish lately. What can God do for me? Why won't He answer me? Why aren't things the way I thought they would be? But humility, weakness, doubt those things are a BLESSING folks. Yup, I said it. Those things keep us thirsty for the love and friendship of Christ, those things remind us that we are not all-powerful, almighty beings; God is.

I was lead to read 2 Corinthians: 12 this morning which reminded me of this with these powerful words:

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that is should leave me. But He said "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong." (2 Corinthians: 12 : 8-10)

WOAH. Talk about mind-blowing comfort. Rejoice in weakness!! For it is there that Christ is found, and in Christ, strength; and through His strength, the power to do all things through Him!

This verse lifted this huge weight off my shoulders; I do not have to be perfect. I do not have to post an uplifting blog about how great God is every single day (although that is true) Sometimes, what I really need is to rest. To be weak, and tired, and human, and to soak in the strength and the glory of God in those moments. To take a "weak-end" if you will (so punny, I know) and to allow myself to just be me again, weaknesses, flaws, mistakes, doubts, fears, failures, and all. God doesn't want my "perfection" He just wants my heart.

My mentor reminded me of this the other night as well, when she told me that it is okay to be tired and to rest; this does not mean we are quitting friends, in fact it's quite the opposite. We can not pour from an empty cup. "Learn to rest, not quit" Allow yourself quiet time with the Lord to let Him rejuvenate and restore you! For how can we do His work if we ourselves are not full of His goodness and strength?

So take a day, a week, a season; take whatever it takes to let God back into your hearts again, let Him hold you in those moments of uncertainty, and let Him remind you of His unending love and forgiveness. You are His child, and He loves you just as you are, run into His arms again and He will give you peace, rest, and new life again!

Always,

Nicole 💕