Life Be Lifing

I don’t know about you but in the vernacular of today’s young people…life be lifing. I know this statement is grammatically incorrect but that is how they say it. I have heard this phrase used repeatedly while conversing with and listening to some of the young people I engage with. I was intrigued by it and decided to look it up. Of course, the phrase is not found in a conventional or traditional dictionary so I resorted to a non-traditional source. I went to the Urban Dictionary. I have paraphrased what I found and it says, a lot of the days of your life are not ordinary, many are full of difficult tasks and very strange occurrences that do not normally happen. I also found another source that described the meaning of the phrase to mean: “Life is gonna happen no matter what. The days are gonna go on no matter what. So all we can do is handle how we’re reacting to, you know, the obstacles that are coming our way. All I am saying is life’s gonna go, life’s gonna take its course, life’s gonna do its thing”.

In the world of aviation, the term “lifing” is used to describe a process of testing or modeling the durability of components. I am encouraged by this because most of us can agree that as we journey through the Christian life our durability is tested and life, sometimes, gets the best of us. If we are not prayed up, we can fall prey to despair, disappointment, discontent and disillusion. We can find ourselves tempted to give up hope and throw in the towel. I am grateful that when I begin to feel the pressure of lifing, I can remind myself that I am in the process of my durability, my faith in God,  simply being tested. I do not have to panic because I know even when I do not understand, God knows what He is doing (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I am so grateful that when the tests come and lifing starts, I can put all of my hope and trust in God. I can also recall the words from His Word to mind. I can trust Him with my whole life even when life be lifing (Lamentations 3:21-23). I am grateful that all I have to do to get back on course, when life starts lifing, is to look to Him and listen for His still small voice to guide me, to calm me and to direct me (Psalms 143:8, Isaiah 30:2). The Word of God will always remind me that He has a good plan for my life and His plan will come to pass (Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). When lifing starts, all I have to do is trust God and walk along the path He has set before me (Proverbs 3:5-6). If I trust Him, I will receive the courage and strength to press onward and focus on what He says (Proverbs 2:1-5, John 10:27-28).

When Life starts lifing, I am grateful for the knowledge that God has a purpose for everything. He allows everything and made everything for a purpose (Proverbs 16:4). So, when life starts lifing, I must remember to trust in God and His purpose. I do not need to spend time trying to figure things out. I simply need to trust Him. I do not know why God allows what He does, but I know that I can trust Him. When life starts lifing, it is not always about me, sometimes God allows things to occur so that He can  show His power. All I have to do when life starts lifing is trust Him (Exodus 9:16). I must stay connected to Him and follow His plan as well. Following His plan requires me to fix my eyes on Him. When I fix my eyes on God, I stay grounded and focused on what is true (Philippians 4:8). In doing so, I will receive strength necessary for whatever comes my way. I will be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy, live boldly and courageously even when life be lifing (Ephesians 6:11).

When life starts lifing, I must choose to lean into the teachings of The Father because they are life to me and hold the keys to the good life He has for me (Proverbs 4:20-27). If I keep my focus on God’s Word, hide it in my heart and obey what it says, remembering that he is in control, God the Father will guide me. Submitting my life and my will to God, even when life be lifing, requires my commitment, focus, obedience, and submission. I must identify myself with Jesus the Christ, submit my whole self to Him and place my complete trust in Him, His Father, my Father, God alone. I must commit to spending focused time with God and time in His Word, reading it, studying it and meditating upon it. I must live a life of prayer, being in communion and constant communication with God. I must  ask The Holy Spirit to reveal God’s plan for each day, then listen for and follow His instructions as I move about that day. With my focus fixed on God and His good plan for my life, I will be transformed. I will gain wisdom, which brings abundance and fulfillment. 

Instead of panicking and getting flustered when life be lifing, I will find solace in God’s Word. I will remember that He is always with me (Psalms 16:8). I will remember that He will never leave nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5-6). I will remember that whatever God allows has purpose. I will remember that He is victorious (John 12:31, 1 Peter 2:24,1 John 5:4–5). When life starts lifing, I will remember that because I am His daughter, all will be well. My Heavenly Father, who has all power in His hands, is everything I need. So when life be lifing, I rest in the arms of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and trust Him. 

Join me Under the Church Hat for this month’s devotion:

In less than 250 words, describe what you do when life be lifing.

Name three times when the durability of your faith has been tested and how you responded.

Describe what you do to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus in less than 250 words.

Write a prayer of gratitude for the strength you receive from God’s Word.

Choose a passage of scripture from this devotion to meditate on and memorize this month.