God in Darkness by Lori Kennedy

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

Genesis 1:2 (NIV)

It’s so funny how once a concept has been introduced, it seems that all roads point to me “getting it”.  I think most Christians have been told that God is with you at all times – including the bad times and yes we know that.  However, sometimes we just need a reminder.  The truth is that God is always with us – even in our darkness.  God was in the darkness before He ever created light. 

 

Sometimes when I struggle, I begin to believe the lie that God has forsaken me.  I’m not alone in this.  Many Psalms portray this very concept.  We must be reminded of the truth.  The truth is that God meets you in your darkness and pain.  God is indeed there with you. It’s only as you take the focus off of yourself and look toward the light, that you are able to see the purpose in whatever has been allowed in your life.  God's goal is for something beautiful to emerge from any loss in your life.  God doesn’t ordain sin in your life or upon you, but He does promise to use it for good.  God wastes nothing.  Your pain is not in vain.  (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 5:3-5)

As long as you are alive on this earth, the story of your life is still being written.  The tapestry it weaves is being intertwined with others; many of whom you may never even realize or know.  Laurie Short says in her book, Finding Faith in the Dark, "When we give up on our story before God has finished writing it, we miss out on what our story has to give us. Sadder still, we miss out on what our story can become."

It’s so hard to understand darkness and pain and fully realize the purpose of it.  However, it was Job's inability to see the vastness in which his responses mattered in the larger picture that makes his story so powerful.  You may never know (on this side of heaven) how your responses in the midst of darkness may matter to the greater picture which is God's story woven through your life.  But be sure that when you respond with grace, mercy, and hope, you are weaving into someone else’s life.

On the other side of darkness comes healing.  Although healing can be difficult, we must remember that healing is for us.  Healing doesn’t discount what has happened or give someone a get out of jail free card; healing allows us to live in freedom!  Healing permits us to move through what has happened and use it for a greater purpose; a purpose beyond ourselves.  Healing helps write the story of our life that becomes yet one thread in a beautiful tapestry woven by God. 

Christian vocalist and speaker Lori Kennedy believes in sharing the gifts and talents in which Christ has blessed her.  Authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability are imperative to touching hearts for the Lord.  As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from those in authority over her outside of her family of origin, Lori has had to overcome much to fulfill the destiny that God created just for her!

Take That Step by @lori_kennedy

Amelia Grace Photography

 “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.”

(Psalm 18:24 The Message)

I have a bold and beautiful friend who is on fire for Jesus!  I am in awe of the way she unashamedly shares her faith.  She invited me to a large outdoor Christian festival and concert and four of us traipsed across the city for a fun girl’s night out.

The invitation to accept Jesus was given and the response was overwhelming!  In fact, they had so much response that they didn’t have enough counselors to speak to all who were responding.  They made a plea to the crowd that if you can talk someone through salvation, to please come help.  My friend immediately got up to go.  The rest of us were not so quick to join in but after a little plea I decided to go with her.  My doubts and fears were escalating and my stomach was a bit queasy.  What if I didn’t say the right thing?  What if I failed?  There would be eternal consequences here and I needed to measure up.

When we got up to the front, we saw that there was an aisle that lead into a roped off area in front of the stage.  We were told that responders must come into that area before we could counsel them.  A little boy of about ten years old came up the aisle with his father but stopped directly at the line between the aisle and the roped off area of the stage.  Being the structured rule-bound girl I am, in my heart I was praying for him to step over that line and holding my hand out toward him but didn’t make a move in his direction.  Somehow in my mind, I had equated this line to be the difference between a decision made for or against salvation in Jesus.  A decision he needed to make that I couldn’t make for him.  Time seemed to stand still as each second felt eternal while I waited for this boy to step over that proverbial line.

It must have only been a few seconds before my friend stepped out over the line in his direction and bent down on his level to pray with him and lead him to Christ!  I am in awe of all God did!  I learned from my friend that day to not be limited by my perception of man’s rule and to always take the step toward what I know to be His will.  

Christian vocalist and speaker Lori Kennedy believes in sharing the gifts and talents in which Christ has blessed her.  Authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability are imperative to touching hearts for the Lord.  As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from those in authority over her outside of her family of origin, Lori has had to overcome much to fulfill the destiny that God created just for her!

The Root of Connection by @lori_kennedy

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

“And they overcame him (meaning the accuser or satan – parenthesis mine) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony...”  Revelation12:11a (NKJV)

I was at a local restaurant with some family recently. One family member seemed to know everyone in the restaurant on a personal and intimate level. Although this family member consistently frequents this restaurant, and is a connector by nature, it seemed a bit overwhelming to me. I’m slightly introverted and a little on the shy side. Although, I am pleasant and polite with those I happen across casually, I don’t generally purposefully attempt to engage them and gather facts about their lives.  I was challenged by this and had to ask myself why.

In her Ted Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, Researcher and Storyteller Brene Brown has found in her research that “People who have a strong sense of love and belonging believe that they are worthy of a love and belonging”. Along with this, she states that “Connection is a result of authenticity – those who were willing to let go of who they thought they SHOULD be in order to be who they really are – those people are more connected”.  Wow!  So God’s Word lines up her research. The scripture above (Rev 12:11) tells us that our stories really matter.  Being willing to share our stories not only connects us with others, but could give us an opportunity to even share the salvation message with others through simple vulnerability. 

Brene goes on to say, “Is there something about me that if other people know or see about me, that I won’t be worthy of connection ”?  I have to respond to this with a resounding YES!  I have felt that if I shared my real self with others, it would disconnect them from me. In reality, that might be the very thing that draws them to me. And, as a result, to my Savior Jesus Christ. Brene further states, “The one thing that keeps us out of connection is our fear that we are not worthy of connection”.  I have definitely believed this lie and kept to myself out of fear of rejection.

Not only has God declared you worthy, but He has stated that your story is worth sharing. Sharing your story not only builds community and connection, but could lead others toward seeking a saving knowledge of the Messiah. In John, 4:39 referencing the woman at the well, scripture says that many believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.  This certainly challenges me to be more vulnerable in all the places God puts me and has called me to be a witness.  My Sunday school and Church; my workplace; even restaurants I might frequent.  I want to share the changing of my heart, life and soul through the love of Jesus and my identity as a daughter of the King with everyone in which I come in contact.

Christian vocalist and speaker Lori Kennedy believes in sharing the gifts and talents in which Christ has blessed her.  Authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability are imperative to touching hearts for the Lord.  As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from those in authority over her outside of her family of origin, Lori has had to overcome much to fulfill the destiny that God created just for her! 

 

You can find out more about Lori and her ministry, Alpha Omega Ministries, at her website www.lorikennedy.com.