Only. God.

This piece is an extra because I wrote it on January 1, 2017, and I’m inspired to embrace faith as never before. Many who know me would be surprised to hear me say this because I have a reputation for believing God – that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him diligently. But it’s a new year. And a new day. We have a newly elected president and only God knows what’s ahead for those of us who are under his leadership through no choice of our own.
Only God knows the amount of mischief the president will wander into that can rain down destruction on people who least deserve it.
Only God knows the places the president will inappropriately insert himself and cause degradation in the lives of people who have already been denigrated more than justice should allow.
Only God knows the outcome of the seemingly chummy relationship between the incoming president and the leader of one of this country’s leading adversaries.
Only God. Only God knows the sadness and depression that has hit the hearts of many who feel abandoned and wonder at the reason.
Only God.
And it’s only God who can guard and defend us.
It’s only God who can bring us through this frightening moment in history.
It’s only God who can protect us from those who would deprive us of righteous needs and endowed rights.
It’s only God who can stay the hands of those who would oppress and deny privilege to any besides those who look and reign as themselves.
It’s only God who can shut the mouths of those who would slay with words those they deem to be inferior naturally and politically.
Only God.
It’s only God.
He is my hope.
He is my strength.
He is my guiding light.
He is the only one who can keep us.
He is the only one who can cause us to thrive in spite of being denied.
He is the only one who can cause us to soar in spite of being put down.
He is the only one who can bless us beyond even that which we can imagine.
So yes. This. Year. I am embracing faith as never before.
This. Year. I am putting my arms around God.
This. Year. I am dancing with great expectation.
Believing that God is and that God is a rewarder of those who seek him diligently.

(Excerpted from Mustard Seed Mondayz, coming real soon to an online vendor of your choice.)