I found out that my surgery date at UVA has been set for September 11, 2020, for my double mastectomy, complete hysterectomy and reconstruction. It is now getting real that I have a date set. I have been praying for the medical team, my surgery and recovery. I am consumed with thoughts of all that I have to get done here on the farm prior to my surgery because there will be no lifting at all for about 10 weeks, then after that restricted lifting. I keep asking God to show me how this will get done. I have so much on me and I know that God already knows this.
Then the Lord revealed to me a prayer of thanksgiving hearing, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." This certainly was not my plan or choice to be having such an invasive surgery as a result of the BRCA1 high risk cancer gene mutation. No it was not! But God gently reminded me that I can't conceivably comprehend His ways or understand His plans for they are higher than my thoughts and plans. God revealed to me that He is working all things out for my good for His glory. And for what the enemy means to harm me, God is is using it to redeem and restore me to complete health. I know that God is not done with me yet.
God has prepared me for this appointed time even though it was not a part of my plan. Each doctor, nurse, resident and the UVA BRCA Clinic has too been prepared for such a time as this. God is asking me to trust and activate my faith beyond my borders of total surrender to His divine orchestrated order and steps. He has given me assurance that He has not left one detail out.
What I do know in how I have seen God work in me and my family's life in the past is that God's plans prosper and there is nothing that can interfere with His mission. My surgery is a part of this mission. I heard God tell me that once I get through surgery and recovery, there will be no more delays in the plans and promises that God has given for me, my family and the ministry to fulfill God's Kingdom work here on earth.
So I will continue to declare the suffering servant scriptures from Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, with praise and worship to God whose glory will be released over me, my family and the ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in me. It is my comfort, peace, miracles, healing, revelation and salvation. Whom shall I fear? If God is with me, who can be against me?
My prayer of praise is, "In you Oh Lord, I exalt your name in all things. I am expectant to see you Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven that is manifested and implored with your power upon the hearts of all the people. May it be inscribed with the blood of your finger that burns with a permanent imprint where the people will never depart from you or your ways. It is bigger than revival. It is bigger than an awakening. It is an all out manifestation similar to Pentecost with a movement into a new era. We again are moving into a new era where Jesus will be known and never forgotten that He is Lord over and of all things.
All of the chaos, the division, the hate and plagues we are seeing is an all out attempt from the enemy to take us down the path of hell and destruction because he knows his time is getting short. Friends, remember God's word and promises and do not be sucked in to this type of behavior and responses. This is all God's battle so all we need to do is to be still, to pray, and not engage in hateful rhetoric. It is a distraction from the enemy so that we lose our focus on Jesus where we get pulled in to the chaos that makes us divided and ineffective.
Then last week, I had a dream where God revealed that He is fortifying His people for this transition into this new era that we are moving into. I looked up the meaning of fortifying and found this: “A defensive wall, reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack, an action or process of being fortified.” Regardless of all the evil forces around us, those that are divisive in their words and actions, those who try to silence, shut down or oppress others of fully living out their destiny, God is building us up fortifying us with His authority and strengthening us at our place of weaknesses or as I would like to reframe and use the word - growing edges. We are continually evolving and growing desiring to become in the image of Jesus.
We are
in an appointed time where more than ever we must hold on to the promises that
God has given us. We must not relent under the attacks or abandon God’s
promises to us when things get tougher.
Though it seems we are not making any progress or we feel we are not
making a difference, in our spirit, God is raising us up in His power and
authority. We must maintain the course
and know that God Almighty is our reinforcement who is with us. As we continue
to walk in faithfulness with God, He will give us a peace and rest that is beyond
our understanding.
It is
at this place of our faithfulness, even when we don’t have the energy, the
strength, the will or ability to move forward, God is breaking off our own
personal defenses, strongholds and generational curses that no longer serve us,
but hinder us in our relationship with God and/or makes us ineffective for His
work.
God
took me to Jeremiah 39-42 which is about the fall of Jerusalem in
586 BC when the Babylonians took it over.
It reminds me a lot of what we are seeing today with structures and
tradition that we have known and built up are falling and crumbling all around
us. Jeremiah 42:7-12 prophesied during
this time speaking to the remnant which included individuals of the least to
the greatest, “If you will still remain in this land, then I will build
you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I
have brought upon you. Do not be afraid of the King of Babylon, of whom you are
afraid; do not be afraid of him, says the Lord for I am with you, to save you
and deliver you from his hand. And I
will show you mercy, that he may have
mercy on you and you can return to your own land.”
For
personal reflection, what are the King Babylons in your life trying to
manipulate, oppress, discourage, instill fear or deter you from your land
of dreams? Remember, this is all a part
of God’s plan of fortifying you that will silence the enemies and establish all
of His promises in, through and out of you.
Keep pressing on and maintain your focus on Jesus. As you do, the King Babylons in your life
will diminish while increasing your capacity and territory for the Lord. Therefore, “Seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow; for
tomorrow will worry about its own things (Matthew 6:33)”
God's word is irrevocable and does not return void. So I praise God for my BRCA1 diagnosis, the advancement in technology, the trained skill of of the doctors and nurses who are a part of my journey that will bring healing and breakthrough for God's promises and plans to be fulfilled that is so much bigger than me. Fortify me God so that I am prepared for Your manifestation that is about to be released. I pray for each of you that you pray, "God prepare and fortify me."
Amen & with Love,
Pastor LaDawn
