Beyond the Pit

Looking back over this past year and just how much I’ve grown by truly accepting my identity in Christ, I am reminded of a movie I went to see back in November…

On Friday, November 12, 2014, I went to the movie theater with a couple of friends to see the premier of “Beyond the Lights.” If you haven’t had the opportunity to see this movie it is about a rising artist, Noni Jean, who nearly ended her life due to the pressures of superstardom.  Fortunately, she was saved by a young police officer and aspiring politician by the name of Kaz Nicols. The two were instantly drawn to each other and began to pursue a romantic relationship despite the lack of support from those around them who encouraged them to focus on their career ambitions instead. Following their hearts turned out to be the best decision, however, as it was Kaz’s love that gave Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she desired to be.

Romance movies aren’t typically my first choice when going to the movies, but I am so glad I went to see it because it turned out to be more than just the usual Friday night movie experience. You may be wondering, “Well how is that?” And the answer to your question is that instead of viewing the movie simply for what it was, I saw it as a beautiful illustration of Psalm 103:2-4:

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all of your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”

You see, despite the fact that Noni was a superstar and appeared to have it all together according to the world’s standards, she was broken and hurting inside. With no one to talk to, Noni internalized her issues and masked her feelings. This only proved to be a temporary fix, because the pressure of the business became unbearable for Noni and she tried to end her life. Fortunately, as Noni begins to throw herself over the balcony Kaz shouts, “No wait!” as he catches her from falling. While hanging by the grip of his hand with her head hanging down, Kaz says, “Hey, hey, look at me. I see you.” As stated before, the two quickly fell in love and began to pursue a romantic relationship. This relationship not only resulted in Noni becoming the artist she desired to be but a woman who regained her freedom and her smile.

I couldn’t help but see this movie through the lens of Psalm 103:2-4, because it was such a beautiful reminder of how God himself rescued me from one of the lowest points of my life and loved me back to life. I, too, was like Noni who was broken inside and tried to mask my feelings and figure life out on my own. Not only that, I began to turn to the things of this world to mend the broken pieces of my heart. As I tried to figure life out on my own and turned to the things of this world, I found myself drifting further and further away from God. Although I desired to change, I was deceived into believing that my sin defined me and that I was unworthy of God’s love. As a result, shame caused me to run away from God instead of towards Him.

To those close to me, I’m sure it appeared as if I had it all together. In reality, however, I was hurting on the inside and continued with life as if everything was great. I acted this way, because I was afraid to share my hurts, feelings, frustrations, and weaknesses. I was also fearful of what others would think of me. This was the worse season of my life, because I felt so alone. The enemy had isolated me, and I allowed guilt, fear, and shame to separate me from those closest to me and God himself.

That is until God spoke to me through part four of a series and a book called “Crash the Chatterbox” in February of last year. Through that particular sermon and book, God revealed to me that He convicts but the enemy condemns. After this revelation, it was clear that I’d chosen to believe the lie of the devil.  This lie caused me to feel ashamed and unworthy of God’s love, and it kept me bound to sin instead of walking in the freedom God had promised me as His child {i.e. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9}Not only did God speak to me through the instance above, He also sent me a very special friend in January of last year who He has used to be a ray of sunshine in my life.  Although I may have been an answered prayer in her life {as she’s expressed to me before}, I am certain that God also heard my cry by not only sending me a Godly, loving friend but also placing her in my life as a beautiful example of God’s unconditional love, grace, and mercy — which were the very things I needed to be reminded of during that particular season of my life.

It’s as if God used these two situations to convey the very same message Kaz said to Noni, “Hey, hey, I see you.” Despite my shortfalls, despite the fact that I tried to run away from Him, He rescued me and loved me beyond the pit I’d fallen so deep into. He forgave my sins and used His word to cleanse me and renew my mind. God loved me even when I didn’t love myself.  He saw my potential and over the course of last year revealed to me my true identity in Him — which has given me a new level of confidence and love for myself.

As I look back over this year, I realize that it was the love and compassion of Christ which brought healing to the most wounded parts of my soul and allowed me to walk in freedom.  Today, I can confidently say that I am no longer ashamed, because God has healed me, made me whole, and loved me back to life. Isn’t it great to know that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)?!

So I challenge you this year to make up in your mind that you won’t believe the lies of the devil {which will require you to study God’s word so that you will know His truths} and don’t allow anything to cause you to “hide” and run away from God.  Whatever you’ve done or whatever you may do, know that it won’t cause God to stop loving you.  The worse thing you can do when you’re feeling hopeless, doubtful, fearful, ashamed, etc. is to run away from God, because the devil knows that if He can get you to run away from God, he can prevent you from having an intimate, loving relationship with God.

God, on the other hand, desires you to run to Him so that He can heal you, give you the strength you need to overcome that sin, and to help you get through whatever it is you may be facing. Don’t fall for the lie that you have to have everything together and be perfect when you come to God.  If that was the case, Christ wouldn’t have had to die for our sins.

As you leave this page, know that  God sees you and desires you to come to Him so that He can shower you with His love — which brings forth life, healing, restoration, deliverance, and change.

With love,

Imanne

Meditation Scriptures:

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39