Hello friends, it’s been about eight months since i’ve officially posted a blog. The Lord has been continually working in me, revealing new layers of his truth, grace, and character. Daily He has been challenging and convicting me of ways I need to grow in. For the past few weeks I've been obsessed with a song called “Captivate us” by Watermark. The lyrics are so beautiful, “Captivate us” is a plea to the Lord to captivate our hearts with his glory and truth, asking him to consume our hearts, to devastate us with his presence so that he can be the focus on our minds, and the greatest treasure of our hearts. It is asking him to remove chains, break down walls, and remove whatever is hindering us from experiencing the fullness of his presence, might, and power. It truly brings me to tears each time I listen to it. As I sit and listen to this song, I begin to think of the current state of our world.
We’re currently living in a very dark time. Anyone who turns on the news, scrolls on social media, or calls a friend, is aware that it is a heartbreaking, overwhelming, scary, and uncertain time. This covid-19 pandemic has affected each of us to some degree, some have lost jobs, some are struggling to place food on the table, others are balancing work at home while also being a single parent. All over the world thousands upon thousands are dying due to the virus. The whole world is in a state of complete chaos. Our social media posts are full of heated arguments about whether our governments are making the right decisions, our news is painted with images of overflowing hospitals, death rates, and worrisome predictions for the coming months. I’m sure this has taken a toll on each of your hearts in some way. I believe the Lord has laid a pressing question on my heart which I want to share with all of you, “Mikayla, what are you looking to? And what is captivating your heart during this time?” That may be a strange question to ask, allow me to further explain my heart and what I believe the Lord is teaching me. I fear that during this pandemic, many of us are being captivated by fear and hopelessness. We’re paralyzed by the state of our world, politics, and so much more. In times of emotional distress it is easy to be lost and consumed in a flame of hopelessness and frustration. I believe that the Lord is gently reminding me through this song, to lean into his truth, to seek his presence, to abide, and fellowship with him in the midst of this time. During this time, we can either distance ourselves from the Lord, or lean into his presence through our brokenness, our frustration, our lament, and uncertainty. We can either fill our hearts with endless fear, or come and find rest under his wing. The enemy will use this time of chaos and distraction to his advantage, he will want to twist our emotions and brokenness and tempt us to distance ourselves from Christ. I’m not saying you shouldn’t acknowledge the state of our world, I'm saying as we look around us and take in the brokenness to filter that through a Christ- like lense, as to keep us near to him rather than allow our fears and frustrations to push us away from his loving embrace. I want him to consume my thoughts, I want to be captivated by his presence, renewed by his truth. I’m praying that this would not be a season of distance in my walk with Christ, but a season where the Lord can expand the horizons of my faith and trust in him as we are daily anchored in him. May his presence move us towards fervent prayer, empathy, compassion, and understanding. May we be drawn nearer to him, as we realize that He is truly all we have. May we be captivated by his presence and treasure him in a new and deeper way. The state of our world reveals to us the frailty of this life, and how our hope must be in Christ, rather than our daily routines, our expected comforts, or life itself. He must be the utter treasure and captivation of our hearts. I urge each of you to dive into new depths of your faith, trust, and reliance in Jesus. Do not just fill your soul with social media, and news, go and seek his presence. Fall into his loving embrace, and allow him to help you work through these new emotions and struggles in a way that will glorify him and reflect his heart. I’m saying to bring those fears, losses, and heartache to the cross and work through and communicate with your loving Father. Allow him to shape your perceptions and responses. I pray that all who read the entirety of this blog would be encouraged, uplifted, and challenged to expand the horizons of their faith and be captivated by our sweet Jesus in the midst of this heartbreaking storm. I would love to be praying for you all during this time, please feel free to comment your prayer requests, or email me at @[email protected]. Below I will link the song mentioned in today’s blog, and some verses to encourage you during this time. Captivate Us - Watermark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWXWgbMDedY //// Scripture //// Psalm 13:5–6 “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me”. Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 9:9-10 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Isaiah 26: 3-4 “Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.” Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Psalm 91:1-2 “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.” God bless you all, With love, Mikayla Kent.
2 Comments
Dianne Paupp
4/18/2020 04:10:40 pm
Mikayla, this was such a spiritual and well written article. I enjoyed reading it. It blessed my heart and soul. Your writings are so beautiful.
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chris miller
4/20/2020 11:04:42 am
Mikayla God bless,comfort and strengthen your faith. You are such a shining beacon to Jesus. Thank you for sharing. Love You- Mrs. Chris and Mr. Dave
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AuthorI'm just a 17 year old girl, who has a passion for Jesus and longs to encourage and connect with other people through the shifting seasons of life, and the lessons learned through them. Archives
July 2023
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