It was my
first day at my new Junior High School and I didn’t know anyone at all.
I was the dreaded new kid and felt like a fish out of water when I walked into the cafeteria. I remember holding my tray, scouring the crowded lunch room for any table I could find with an open seat.
I plopped down in the first empty chair I identified, relieved that I had found some place to consume my lunch. There were other girls sitting around the circular table, gazing at me like I had just invaded their private club.
I wasn’t yet privy to the social structure at the unfamiliar school, though every institution has a hierarchical order. You know how it is. There are certain cliques, factions, and groups that exist among its members.
But, hey, I was too new to know all that.
Anyway, trying to learn the “right” thing to say, do, and people to know on the initial day of attendance was just way too exhausting to even imagine attempting.
So, no sooner than I stuck my fork in my food, I heard a voice say, “You better move! This is my seat.”
I turned my head to the left and looked up to see a girl towering over me with an angry scowl on her face. Her lips were twisted in disgust and she looked like she was about to knock me clear across the room.
I sat there and stared at my very tall, not-so-happy schoolmate for a moment as I weighed my options carefully.
I decided that, though her appearance was intimidating, I refused to be intimidated. I just got up slowly, peered in her eyes and feistily asked, “Are there assigned seats in this cafeteria, because I didn’t see any name on this chair?”
She raised her eyebrows, clearly stunned by my response. “No, it ain’t no names on the seat but I always sit here, so you better move before I punch you in the face!”
She said it like she meant that thing, but I replied by firmly reiterating, “I’m not moving.”
And I meant it. In that moment, her threats brought out boldness, rather than fear, in me.
Before she could make good on her promise to beat me, another tough-looking girl I didn’t know came to my defense and stood up for me. I suppose my small stature made this compassionate stranger fearful that my much bigger opponent would pummel me.
“Leave her alone!” she demanded, pushing the aggressive girl backward.
“You don’t have to stand up for me,” I told my self-appointed protector. “I can stand up for myself and I’m not afraid of her.”
With that statement, everyone stepped away from this student just itching to let me have it as if to say, “Alright then Miss Girl; you’re on your own.”
When they all let her go and I stood there, unflinching, do you know what she did?
My number one adversary walked away, but not before telling me, “Don’t let me catch you after school!” Of course, I can’t type what she said verbatim, but let’s just say there were no pleasantries in her speech.
That day, I gained an enemy, but in the process, I also earned the respect of my peers. Word traveled throughout the school quickly that the new girl was no pushover.
In life, you can’t be.
Otherwise, you will never take the territory God has called you to occupy—something that would bring the enemy so much joy.
Satan doesn’t want you to fulfill your divine assignment, so he will do all sorts of things to intimidate, distract, and deter you from walking your path to destiny. He'll try to force you to move from your place.
But don’t you dare allow him, anyone, or anything he uses to cause you to retreat. You are more than a conqueror through Christ and no weapon formed against you will prosper.
Walk in your authority and refuse to move from the place of victory God has already declared belongs to you. Stand with boldness and confidence in the God of your salvation. When you do that, you will be productive in your life.
To remind you of this, I’m stirring Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be encouraged to trust God, so that you will be like that unmovable, fruitful tree.
Daily Cup family, God doesn’t want us to be afraid, intimidated or threatened when opposition comes to rob us of our confidence. Rather, the Lord desires for us to look unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
It's time to stand firmly in your conviction and your position. Declare right now, "I'm not moving!"
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me that I have no reason to be afraid, intimidated, or worried about the opposition when You are on my side. Please help me to always trust You and place my full confidence in Your ability, because You, oh Lord, never fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
