It was such a wonderful privilege to hear from the Chair of the Board of Directors, Leona Lee. Leona has faithfully served for many years. Her family is a blessing to this house – with all of their gifts, talents, and skills… yet the greatest blessing they bring is their humility. They carry a God-given transparency and willingness to grow in the Lord – thank you Lee family – Lifespring is better for having your family amongst us.
As Leona was speaking, the line she ended on was one that Adrian Wi taught us – Yasa Amad – it means to call one’s spirit to the front and to stand up. It is used when Elijah was facing Jezebel – it is used to call forth our spirit to the forefront in every circumstance – especially in challenging ones. To live from the courage of our spirit and not from our earthly eyes and surroundings.
In life there are so many moving pieces and challenges. We face them all with our best intentions and our best initiatives – yet the reality is sometimes our best does not produce the results we expect. As we have learned over the years, faith comes from hearing, believing in what God says (hearing Him), acting on our belief (obeying Him), and watching His faithfulness. But sometimes, oftentimes, His faithfulness doesn’t always look like what we want it to look like. But will we Yasa Amad – bring forth our spirit to the front – to live knowing that God is good and He makes all things beautiful in its time?
A couple of weeks ago I was driving in my car listening to worship when all of a sudden, I felt an overwhelming weight come upon me. I felt disheartened and fatigued. Everyday seemed to bring about new challenges – whether family, church, or business – it just seemed like everyday there was something that needed attention. I cried to the Lord, I felt like I was doing everything I could to be inline with Him – I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. I just told the Lord, “I’m trying… I’m trying… I’m trying…”.
As I went to the Lord the next day in listening prayer to try to understand what He was doing – I ended up with a correction that was exactly what Leona shared – Yasa Amad – spirit stand to the front. He reminded me of the purposes He has over my and Karyne’s life and he gently reminded me, “do not equate earthly wealth/circumstance to the assignment over your life”.
The correction was clear to me: I fell to the trap that obedience will bring smooth sailing and rainbows – the reality is that obedience to God does not promise such things – it promises that He will be with us. It promises that even in the challenge He is there. The conviction I was reminded of was Yasa Amad! Live from your spirit. Live from faith. Live in the things unseen and not always in the things seen. Believe that He is a good God – always working for the good of those who love him.
Life can be heavy. But God calls us to live from a higher place. Live from the spirit – empowered by the Holy Spirit. Take a moment to simply invite the Holy Spirit into whatever you are doing this week. Let his gentle reminders and His still small voice help you (and me) live a life from our spirit. YASA AMAD!