It’s a New Year! Where are you today? Are you struggling in your life? What about your family? Are you broken because of family divisions and the pain that comes from having no answers? Is there Covid-19 confusion and fear surrounding you? What about addiction? Do you or someone you know need to be set free?
I am currently reading a book called “Hearts of Fire”. The stories of eight women who, despite circumstances, demonstrated incredible courage, conviction and love for Jesus Christ and His church. They were called to stand against the harshest opposition and became leaders with boldness and tenacity, refusing to shrink from the needs and opportunities that faced them, regardless of the threat. How they responded, when “muzzled” is a lesson we, moms, could all learn from.
We know that as mothers, molding character in the lives of those that follow us is imperative. How we respond in these days of change, learning and life-application reveals our true character. It is being observed and will reproduce itself. What does opposition look like and are we prepared to embrace the promise that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”?
“Officials in different levels of governmental authority over us have in this past troubling year done everything they can to dampen our enthusiasm and limit how we are allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ralph and I never suspected that we would ever live to see the kind of liberty and freedom being threatened here in the United States of America or that there would be a desperate need for an awakening of Conservative Americans. We never dreamed that the American press and social media could be as biased as the press in Panama, USSR, Venezuela, or any Islamic nation. We can clearly see that government control here in the US is only going to get worse in the days ahead.” (edited and paraphrased prayer letter from Indonesian/China missionaries, Tom and Selva Kweder)
While the world all around us, including our American culture, seems to be disintegrating before our eyes, we are called to respond with courage and boldness. Our limitations become our opportunities. Christians here in America have become fearful of meeting together, fearful of reading their bibles in public, fearful of reaching out to others and stating our Christian beliefs regarding moral issues (abortion, same sex marriage, immorality, and strange perversions that even our primitive people groups do not accept!). Moms, these are being presented to our children as normal and even something they might want to consider!
What should be our response? Do you have an answer? These little ones following us are listening. They are bright-eyed and eager to learn. Will they be prepared with truth? “Jesus said,”…see that ye be not troubled.” We are not to be alarmed, frightened, or gripped by fear. We are to be seeing the threat and standing in the gap. The darker the night, the brighter our light shines.”
Will you choose promise and opportunity
Over fear, threats and despair?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
