Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.” – Maya Angelou

Imagine being stuck in a constricting cage – then realizing that you have placed those bars of boundary around yourself. People pleasing & fear of man are two snares I have found release from in this season (sometimes in painful and uncomfortable ways) – but it’s amazing how much freedom there is in seeking to please One…

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

My struggle with anxiety and insecurity started when I was a shy little girl caged in fear that grew as I did. Not knowing where my identity truly originates from I tried to place it anywhere or in anyone elses’ affirmation other than the one that matters most.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25(NIV)

Being bound to the opinions and expectations of others is like a disease that squeezes the life out of your heart and keeps you from being free – the real you that God created. …Rejection and isolation hurt but sometimes He uses just that to break the chains of anxiety and imprisonment that held you, and shakes the places where you placed your identity so you can have a firm foundation in Him.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Approval addiction may go undetected when we long to belong & be accepted, but the condition’s only cure is affirmation from the Creator of the Universe. There is no greater way of being known and loved then having true ‪‎validation from above‬. Look to Him to know who you truly are…

But now, this is what the Lord says—
He who created you, Jacob,
He who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)

Maybe you can relate to my journey to finding my true Identity, watch the video below for a creative summary of my story:

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

God’s everlasting Love has drawn us into everlasting life through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So many of us miss out on the greater gift of discovering Him because we settle for the surface level of receiving from & knowing about Him…

When we delve deeper into God we find there is always so much more to be found in Him, all joy and peace and everything that is good. He bridged the gap so we can have eternal intimacy and true freedom with Him now and forevermore.

Let’s never forget the precious gift we have to seek God’s face and experience His supernatural presence, where He longs for us to be for eternity…

Once upon a sacred union there was a woman who had perfect Love in the beginning- but she was deceived and let her eyes wander. She disregarded Love’s truth and faithfulness for a taste of the forbidden, and in a bite of weakness she became blinded, disillusioned…

Even in her infidelity her True Love kept pursuing her, continuing to draw her in to be reunited, not letting her be consumed by the darkness of her mistakes. Her Love calls to her out from hiding, gently beckoning her seek and be found. He gave up the most prized of all, and gave the greatest gift so that their relationship could be restored even deeper and more passionate than before…

Because you see, once upon a perfect place before there was time, there was Love. He gave His life for you and I so we would know what True Love is…ultimate sacrifice, never-ending faithfulness, laying down one’s desires and life for another. We can never be fulfilled or know True Love until we fully embrace Him.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them…”

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4 (Read more in context)

The Passion for Christ Movement presented this amazing and moving scene at their event called RHETORIC. It merges poetry with theater and retells the greatest love story of all time – of Christ who is coming back for a bride without spot wrinkle or blemish. This piece is by P4CM poets Ezekiel and Janette…ikz who ask you if you’ll be “Ready or Not” for that day…

All to often, we try to do the cleaning and the planning when we Christ should take the lead. With Him at the helm, the wedding day will be just as it should be… all for His glory.

The RHETORIC will be happening again this year on July 6, 2012. You can get tickets at the P4CM website here.

Below, check out another poem, “I Will Wait for You” that was made popular at RHETORIC, from P4CM’s Janette…ikz who talks about why she is waiting for the love that God has for her life:

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope all of you love birds enjoy this day and make every day ahead one filled with love! Even if you don’t have a Valentine or are going through a hard season, know that you are cherished…

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

The greatest Love of all gave His life for you and engraved you on the palms of His hands. God is forever faithful, His love is everlasting- It never fails!

No matter what you are going through – wading in the darkness that tries to engulf you – know that the Light is stronger, darkness won’t last much longer. Though it may get lonely you’re not alone – you are loved, more than you know…Love. Never. Fails.