Originally published Friday, 09 May 2014.
You guys, I feel like Abraham did when he put down the knife.
I never wanted to kill my baby Devotional Diva, but when God asked me to let it go -- I said YES without hesitating. In Genesis 22:8-12, NIV it says,
Abraham answered [to Isaac], "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
It's interesting we read in Genesis 22:5 that Abraham said to his servant, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
Abraham said we. He had faith that even though God had called him to sacrifice his only son -- the promised son -- that God would either have another plan or save him somehow. ALSO, my pastor Ray Bentley said this is the very first mention of worship in the Bible. Can you believe that?
How. Amazing. Is. God?
Before I sent out the email announcing that Devotional Diva is ending, I wished someone would step forward and request to take it over.
I truly believe real ministry is the kind that is passed down from generation to generation.
Ministry leaves a legacy. That's what God was testing through Abraham and Isaac. That's what God was testing through me and Devotional Diva.
When I got an email from Maggie letting me know her proudest moment was sharing her story of acquaintance rape on Devotional Diva, and that she was shocked and saddened that I was ending it -- I just knew the Holy Spirit wanted me to give her the keys. There is power in sharing your story.
There is healing. Wholeness.
I just wrote that I am not a victim, then God immediately stirred up Maggie, a sweet young woman I met at the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, to ask if she could continue the legacy of spurring women forward (Hebrews 10:24). How. Amazing. Is. God?
Like I've been trying to say in Dream Devotional -- God is in the business of bringing dead dreams back to life.
I cannot wait to introduce you to Maggie and share her side of the story, her vision for Devotional Diva, and how you can participate and share your story!
"You will discover God's will for your life when you consider His activity in the lives of others. This goes contrary to worldly thinking. The world encourages you to live your own life, taking care of your own needs and wants first. Sin promotes independence. It isolates you from others and separates you from those you could help or who could encourage you. God designed you for interdependence. Do not live as if you have no responsibility toward your Christian brothers or sisters. God holds you accountable for how you relate to them. You have a responsibility to live in such a way that you do not hurt others. You must deny yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to put to death your natural inclination to be self-centered. As long as you focus on yourself, you will be oblivious to the needs of others. Ask God to free you from selfishness so that your life is free to bless others" (Experiencing God Day by Day, May 9).
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV).
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7, NIV).
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