“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
It was me!
This past weekend, I attended a women’s conference at my church. Amazing women of God blessed us with words from the Holy Spirit. One speaker touched on uncomfortable topics, such as politics, so you know I was there for it. She said, “Some people in the congregation love the presidential candidates more than they love God!” Yes!! Say it again, so the people in the back can hear you, Ma’am! After she said that, I leaned in a little closer until she (through the leading of the Holy Spirit) stepped on my toes. To be honest, I think she broke my pinky toe! Ouch!
Confession Time
Let me begin by saying life has not been easy on this soul searching journey. There have been many tears along the way. As the speaker explained to us on Sunday, Satan’s demand for Peter’s life did not begin or end with Peter. He wants to sift us all like wheat, so we can lose faith in God. As I have shared over the years, 2020 was a hard year for me. I struggled to love my brothers and sisters. I put more faith in our politicians than I did our Savior. Everywhere I looked, I saw hate, and I began to emotionally isolate myself from people who did not think like me. Coming to church became quite difficult. Topics such as abortion and racism no longer seemed spiritual, but political. My heart was hardening at the concerns of God. Now, I realize I was being sifted like wheat in that moment! Satan wanted me to turn away from God; however, God wanted me to be free from anger and bitterness because it was destroying my life.
The Denial
Like Peter, He also knew that I would deny him. How did I deny him, you may ask? Well, every time I blocked someone on social media over their political views, I denied Him. Every time I mocked a political candidate and shared a meme about them, I denied Him. Every time I put my opinion over the word of God, I denied Him. Every time I felt like my leaders were beyond help and unworthy of my prayers, I denied Him. Yikes! Peter denied Him three times. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve denied Him. However, He never stopped believing in me. He knew that my faith in Him would not fail in the end. He knew I would come back to Him, and that is when our soul searching journey began.
Soul Searching Journey
It took years and over one hundred post, may I add, but I am no longer ruled by the same emotions in 2024 that ruled me during the 2016 and 2020 elections. I am free from political bondage. I am free from worldly agendas. I understand that my hope is not in a political party. My hope is based on the King of kings and Lord of lords. I don’t have to block a brother or sister in Christ on social media because their vote differs from mine. We both serve the Great I Am! We both overcome by the blood of the lamb and by our testimonies.
She Stepped on My Toes
Speaking of testimonies, I realized this weekend that I’d gotten too comfortable in my deliverance. I was reminded that the deliverance was never my own. Ouch! That was the moment she broke my toe! You see, the deliverance belongs to God. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
As I meditated about that, I realized that I turned, but I stopped strengthening my brothers and sisters. I stopped writing about race, politics, and religion. I stopped praying about it. I just wanted to cast my vote in November, and continue to trust God no matter who the president was because I know where my help comes from. I don’t want to watch the debate tonight! I don’t want to read anyone’s political post on social media. I don’t need that in my life. I’m free! To be honest, this level of freedom feels so good that I didn’t want to look back. I thought my old post about race and politics could serve us well in this season. More people are even coming alongside us on this soul searching journey and they are reading the old post. Yet, God wants to do something new in me, and I’m getting in the way.
Why?
As I began to soul search, I realized it was out of fear. I was afraid that I was not as free as I thought. I was afraid that in my pursuit to strengthen others, I would once again become weak. I would give into the political spirit and invite anger back into my heart. Yet, Jesus said, His grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. I don’t have to be scared to strengthen others. I don’t have to be silent in this hour about race and politics because it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t have to shrink back out of fear of being triggered. I don’t have to protect my peace! It isn’t about me. It’s about the Prince of Peace and His name is Jesus! He is the risen savior! He is the answer to our nation’s problems! He is our hope for today, tomorrow, and forever! There’s isn’t a man or woman who can take His place! It’s time to wake up! It’s time to stop thinking about myself! It’s time to strengthen my family.
#Think about it# #Then, go to the Father and pray about it# #Soul Searching with Our Father#
Coming up Next:
A Soul Searching Debate
…Is that even possible? Yes!
