Lessons in Resilience

The spiderweb in my shower was nearly imperceptible.

And fully unexpected. I’d just cleaned the bathroom a few days ago.

But the angle of sunlight streaming in illuminated tiny droplets hanging onto the faintest wisp of a web in a corner I must’ve skipped (or chosen not to reach).🤔😉

I threw some water on the web. Several times.

It barely budged.

May we be that resilient in the face of opposition that intends to take us out.

Blessings, Kayren

“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

What Will You Let Go Of Today?

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If trying to juggle what’s on your plate is getting overwhelming…maybe there’s too much on the plate.

I’m working on this myself…

“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

(Matthew 6:33-34)

In Good Company

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Has someone poured wisdom into you? Make sure there’s a good ROI (return on investment) so their labor is not in vain.

I’m realizing that my current season is about discipline and obedience – and accountability helps with maintaining consistency. Trust me when I tell you that I’ve tried to get around the discipline thing – to no avail.

But this time, I’m buckling down and just doing the thang because I wanna pass this test. No need for me to look like a 12th grader sitting in a 2nd grader’s chair. If I’m stuck at this point, I’ve gotta look at the person in the mirror and assess my own impact on my current state. Ouchie, but true.

“14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

(Philippians 2:14-16)

Destination Matters, Detours Permitted, U-turns Encouraged

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Do what you can, while you can — *Sharing reflections while en route to a recent family funeral…*

So we passed a church near my house. It was a pretty church, and probably a nice one filled with loving people. But it wasn’t where my family member’s service would be held. I could’ve arrived early, sat in the pew, and waited for it to begin – and been completely outta place. Why?

Because destination matters.

No matter how many churches boast the same name, if I’m not at the specific location appointed by God, I will miss being in the right place at the right time, doing the right things with the right people.

And that was my illumination: No matter how many times I diligently prepare to show up and give it everything I’ve got – if I’m at the wrong destination, I’m out of position and will find myself in the wrong place.

Nothing like reading a good obituary to make you assess the impact and quality of life – is what I’m doing now having an eternal kingdom impact? Or am I merely marking time on the planet while life passes me by? These are the questions that pop up as I approach the half-century mark…

I’m convinced that it’s time to live – while there is yet time.

Abundant blessings, Kayren

“25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

(John 11:25-26)

Unproductive Work

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It’s all about perspective.

Why am I doing this?

Is there another way this can be done?

Is this a wise investment of my resources (time, energy, talent, money, etc.)?

Am I trying to do God’s thing MY WAY?

I’m learning to distinguish between my own desires and the will of the Father. I’ve also learned that my own desires can be pretty loud!

Vain efforts are not productive. May we continue to obey God’s instructions and reap the rewards.

Blessings, Kayren

“3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”

(John 21:3-6)

Assignment NOT Negotiable

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Am I the only one who thinks they have an option when God gives an instruction?

I clearly understood when I got the assignment last week that I was supposed to attend a meeting and deliver a specific message in person. Immediately (after several way too late worknights and a mishmash of other circumstances), I began to rationalize that I could give the message just as effectively if I attended the meeting virtually.

Then I remembered that God really isn’t concerned about my personal comfort in the big scheme of the cosmos. After all, He IS the Creator of the Universe. HE has a purpose and a plan (the details of which have not been divulged to me in their entirety because my finite mind cannot begin to comprehend the infinite). His will must surpass my will.

Jesus was uncomfortable when He made the decision to die on the cross…and yet, He obeyed and completed His assignment. And I’m thankful to be a direct beneficiary.

So I made preparations and I went.

I’m SO glad I chose to OBEY the instruction as given. The first instruction. The ONLY instruction. God’s instruction – not my adaptation on a theme (I’m growing in this area and grateful to finally see some mature fruit).

Simple. But not always easy.

I challenge you to try it. And check the results. The fruit.

As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. I don’t like pudding, but I sure do like the results of obedience more than the consequences of doing my own thang – or a variation on what God instructed…

Blessings as we continue down Calvary road, Kayren

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

(John 3:30)

“42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”

(Luke 22:42-43)

Apply the Warning

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A glance at my favorite driving app warned, “Crash ahead – expect delay.”

Great – just what I needed.

This was my regular morning route – 3 minutes before the exit for my job. (ain’t God speaking!? won’t He do it?) 🔊

My GPS rerouted me with enough advance notice that I didn’t get stuck in traffic.👍🏽I quickly pivoted to the right lane and took the next exit.

As soon as I took the suggested detour, I literally sailed over the gridlock and shook my head while peering at the congested parade of brake lights. Delay indeed.

It’s not healthy to ignore the signs intended for your benefit.⚠️

Reroute! NOW.

While there’s time. Before you get stuck and have limited choices.

Let’s act like we know God is speaking to us…because He is!

Blessings, Kayren

“12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now.

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].

14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.”

(John 16:12-14, AMP)

Heed the Warning

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*Photo by Frans van Heerden on Pexels.com*

The orange highway sign flashed, “Object on road ahead.” I had a choice to cynically ignore the warning, or begin to scan ahead so I could avoid connecting with an obstruction. I chose the latter, and I’m grateful.

A key takeaway from this morning’s commute: Warnings aren’t always bad.

Sometimes they don’t feel good, but they’re not always negative.

Warnings give us time to adjust our decision and our direction. Another perspective is to view a well-timed warning as a guiding indicator, a gauge, or a gift. 🎁

In life and health, as on the road, sometimes we’re going too fast (for the given conditions or for our own good) and we need to get the message another way.

Here’s your sign…⚠️

Blessings, Kayren

“12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(I Corinthians 10:12-13)

Evidence & Receipts

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*“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)*

There’s so much in Luke 7 that I need to continue digging into from the passage explored in my earlier post, Fewer Words, Greater Impact.

The situation at an organized funeral looked bad to everyone – except Jesus. We see the authority of Jesus’ words as He spoke life to the dead man, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.”

But what happened next?

He That Was Dead Sat Up

Once we’ve received God’s Word, it’s up to us to do something with it. We must take action!

What good is being raised from the dead if you just stay in the same ol’ place? Exactly!

The dead man started moving. He shifted his position from where he had been and left where he was.

Cuz if you’re alive, there’s NO WAY you wanna continue laying in a casket or on a bier…since that is a place where the dead lay down…and stay…

And Began to Speak

If we’ve experienced the healing, resurrecting, and restoring power of Jesus, there’s NO WAY we can remain silent!

An encounter with Jesus is transformative, and we’re compelled to tell others.

Sharing the Good News is a direct response to contact with the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). The Light of the World (John 9:5).

How can we keep it to ourselves?

Jesus reunited the man with his mother because He is well aware of the power of connection within loving relationships (Luke 12:15). Can you imagine the reunion between a revived, resuscitated man with the woman who had given him natural birth? Wow!

God Was Glorified

Respectful, holy, reverent fear came on EVERYBODY who saw and heard about what happened when the dead man was raised to life again by Jesus.

All for a purpose – to glorify God!

How exciting to know that God is still visiting His people…during this Lenten season, I encourage you to dig into the scriptures for yourself and learn of Jesus.

I believe He still wants to make dead things come alive in us, and His power is beyond adequate and more than sufficient to meet our needs!

Do you have evidence and receipts of a direct encounter with Jesus? If not, Jesus offers an open invitation to get to know Him for Who He truly is. And if so, it’s time to get moving, tell someone, and glorify God…because transformation speaks for itself.

Blessings to you, Kayren

“12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

(Luke 7:12-16)

Fewer Words, Greater Impact

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Celebrate ephiphany! — *Prepare to be transformed…*

Spending time in God’s Word is an eye-opening experience. As much as I’ve been exposed to the Bible through church attendance and listening to excellent Bible teachers, when reading it for myself lately, I find myself exclaiming a lot, “I didn’t realize that!”

Case in point: While reading Luke 7 this week, I started looking at the specific words Jesus spoke that caused things to happen, situations to be transformed, and lives to be changed.

“Weep not.” (Luke 7:13)

“Arise.” (Luke 7:14)

I was amazed that just THREE words brought about comfort to a grieving mother, life to a dead man, and hope to a group of mourners.😯

In a time when many are talking about “doing more with less,” could this also be applied to the words we use? As directed by the Holy Spirit, can I choose to use fewer words (aligned with His will) and watch God amplify the impact?

Game on and challenge accepted – it’s a new week, so let’s see what we can put into practice! Drop a comment if you see some positive results you’d like to share after applying this lesson…

Blessings, Kayren 🙂

“12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

(Luke 7:12-16)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

maturity

Lessons in Resilience

What Will You Let Go Of Today?

In Good Company

Destination Matters, Detours Permitted, U-turns Encouraged

Unproductive Work

Assignment NOT Negotiable

Apply the Warning

Heed the Warning

Evidence & Receipts

Fewer Words, Greater Impact