Hope Archives - Laurie Hopkins

May 22 2020

Authentic Voice, Authentic Story – Why They Need to Know Who You Are And Whose You Are

Authentic Voice, Authentic Story - Why They Need to Know Who You Are And Whose You Are

Hi there my dear friend – so happy you have taken the time to drop by for a chat. Grab a seat at the table, your favourite mug with something hot in it and let’s visit. Time moves forward, slowly some days and quickly other days, and 2020 still feels unusual and most often surreal. It wasn’t really, what any of us had in mind in January when I was writing about a season of completion and trusting the process. Yet, time marches on and we find ourselves almost in the middle of this year. Before we do a mid-year review and take stock of the first half, I wanted to share one mindset shift with you. This week I would like to talk with you about Authentic Voice, Authentic Story- Why They Need To Know Who You Are And Whose You Are.

What The World Needs Now

Let’s get right to the point. If I asked you what the world needs now more than ever, what would your answer look like? I can think of many different words I might use to describe what I think the world needs, right now, in 2020, but when I try to sum it all up, I come up with two words: honesty and hope.

Why Does It Matter?

More than anything, in this season, I am amazed at the assault against the truth (honesty) and the push back against hope. We have talked a lot about mindsets since the beginning of the year and there is a good reason for that. Our mindset sets the foundation for our reactions and our behaviour. In this season, the enemy has been working on amping up the undermining of honesty and hope, in a way that I have never experienced before. We can see it but do we really understand why it matters?

Honesty

Many have bought the lie that we are more honest than ever, because they have mistakenly defined “being honest” as having and exercising the right to speak what is on their mind. In reality, honesty is not about speaking freely, it is about speaking truthfully. Honesty has a heavy responsibility attached to it called truthfulness. Moreover, truth is not arbitrary. Therefore, it does not change from person to person. Therefore, honesty (truth) is not just about speaking your mind! So all those people freely “speaking their mind” believe there is more freedom to be “more honest” than ever! And the lie of the enemy becomes entrenched.

Hope

What about hope? The world appears to be in a dire situation; physically, emotionally, financially, relationally, spiritually. Many are out of work, unable to meet their basic needs, isolated at home and without their usual social supports. Meanwhile conspiracy and “what if’s” abound. The Church (corporate) has as many opinions about what is happening, as does the world. Where is the hope in all of that?

What We Have To Offer

This is the part I believe we need to be reminded of as individual Christians. We are the Church (individually). We have not only the ability but also the responsibility to shift our mindsets to ensure that our reactions and behaviour line up with the Word of God. We do not have to be swayed by the lies of the enemy because we have already been forewarned that the enemy comes to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). We understand from the Word of God that honesty involves truth and that Jesus is the truth. We know that any time we are speaking “honestly” that we have a responsibility that it lines up with the Word of God. We also know that Jesus came so we could have “life, and … have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). That is hope. So what do we have to offer to the world in this season, in the middle of 2020? We have the honest and hopeful representation of Jesus. I believe there are two very important ways for us to show forth this honest and hopeful representation of Jesus, our Authentic Voice and our Authentic Story.

Authentic Voice

So what does Authentic Voice look like in our everyday lives? It is simply the fact that our Church- me looks/speaks the same as our work- me, as our home- me, as our community- me. Who we are on Sunday is the same as who we are on Wednesday. Who we are in good times is who we are in challenging times. Everything lines up. People who meet me in location A will recognize me as the same person they meet in location B. When they meet me in one situation, they will recognize me as the same person that they met in the other situation. Authentic Voice means living honestly (in truth) and consistently, who we are now while aiming for continuous growth. It is not about being perfect, but being honest about where we find ourselves in this season on our life while aiming for where the Lord has for us to go. If I am struggling, I need to be honest about it. If I have a concern, honesty is the best policy. No masks, no hidden agendas. I am what you see until I grow into something else. That is me walking in my Authentic Voice.

Authentic Story

Authentic Story is more about where we have been. Sometimes, as Christians, when God takes us from one place to another, we conveniently forget where we came from. We were so very grateful at the time for His grace, love, redemption and intervention, but over time, we have forgotten what that mess or test looked like in our own lives. The great risk in forgetting is that we can become judgemental or uncompassionate towards those who find themselves in similar situations. We look down our noses, give them the sideways glance and wonder, how did they even get there and why are they staying there? God’s gift of Jesus, Who brought us through that mess and/or test, was intentional. It was meant for a purpose. It was not just about you. It was about that person that you are looking sideways at. Your mess must become your message and your test your testimony. How will we draw others to Jesus if we portray judgement and perfection and forget where we have come from? How will they see the love, mercy, grace and redemptive power of our Saviour, if we do not tell them about how we have experienced Him? An experience will outweigh and opinion any day. It is time to share your Authentic Story.

Are You Ready To Shift?

It is Shift Season. We are being reset for a reason. The Church (individuals) need to rise up as the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit that they are and live in such a way that we bring honesty and truth to the people. Our Authentic Voice and our Authentic Story is the only way that others will see that we have something different and want what we have. Are you ready to shift?

What I Know!

Life can be challenging, seasons can be uncertain, the shift takes intentionality and courage and mindsets take time to mend. However, if our purpose is to bring the love and saving power of Jesus to others, then we need to decide that today is the day I will make a decision. A decision to let everyone around me see my Authentic Voice and my Authentic Story so they are clear about who I am and Whose I am. It is time to turn the world upside down!

Until Next Time

Well, my dear friend, my teacup is empty, it is a beautiful sunny day out, and I need to go and enjoy some of that warmth. I am so glad you dropped by for a chat at the table. I love your company. Remember, conversations are a two-way road, so I would love to hear from you. Drop a comment in the comment section below! Until next time, stay safe, be well, take courage, and make the decision to walk in the pathway the Lord has for you – Authenticity is your next step!

Your Turn To Comment

As always, there are many ways to stay in touch. I would love to hear from you! Let me know how our chats around the kitchen table are going and drop a note about what things you would like to chat about.

Email laurie@lauriehopkins.ca

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Comment section at the end of each blog

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

Laurie

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June 3 2019

Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places

Hope Begins In The Darkest of Places

Good Morning all my Shining Ones! What adventures were you on this week? What challenges did you face? How did you face them? This week I thought we would dive a bit deeper. I would love to share with you a bit about my journey with “Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places.” Using my journal writings I will share the hope I found during one of the darkest times in my life. A spark of hope that began and endured despite the feelings I felt and the circumstances I saw.

A Lot Can Happen In 6 Months and 5 Days

On October 14^th, 2001, I entered the hospital for treatment of severe depression and anxiety. I emerged, into the world again, 5 months and 6 days later. It was “a year from hell. I crashed, completely withdrew from life, hit rock bottom, died a thousand deaths, began to resurface, learned to trust, found myself (in bits and pieces) and began to fight to learn who I was.”

It was a challenging time yet a time of great growth; a time of great despair but also a time development of a new and enduring hope that would help to propel me forward in the years to come.

Hope Bubbles Up In The Midst

“Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places.” I wrote those words without knowing what they would mean – they were an unconscious encouragement to me, offered up from somewhere deep within.”

It was, as I sat on my hospital bed and looked at the wall ahead of me, paper and pencil in hand, trying to capture some of the wayward thoughts to help make sense of the chaos, that these words came to me. It wasn’t a voice. It wasn’t a feeling. It is hard to explain the experience. The words just bubbled up inside of me and I immediately started writing. I must admit, when I looked closely at what I had written, I was disappointed. Hope, what hope? It was like another empty promise in the midst of the darkness; yet another contradiction in my life.

“At that moment when I knew I couldn’t fall any further, I could only envision despair. However, the darkest, coldest, bleakest day of winter is the one that inspires the wistful longing for the renewal of spring. I laid at the bottom of the pit, mired in hopelessness and helplessness, a soul scarred with anger, abandonment, distrust and hatred. My body and soul on fire, the world crushing my chest, each breath a struggle to survive. My mind was a constant torment to itself; critical and hateful, a constant barrage of darkness and evil.”

A Gift of Words

When one is desperate, at the bottom of the pit and finding it hard to get even a glimpse of the sky, one takes notice of those things that bubble up from within. I went to work, painted a large piece of paper and wrote these words in large red letters. I hung it on my wall. There it stayed for the duration of my time there. It generated much discussion. Many stopped and asked what it meant. Some questioned whether I believed it or not. Some thought it foolish. But there it stayed. Why? I believe these words were a gift to me from the Lord. Heaven knows I couldn’t have come up with them myself in my current state!

“From the bottom of that pit I had cried out to the Lord and He heard my voice. He lifted my head when I could no longer move, placed this, “Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places” in my heart, and in doing so, generated a spark of hope. There was no light, no warmth, no voice, but in that moment I knew hope.”

In that moment, despite how I felt, despite what my circumstances looked like, despite the hopelessness and helplessness I found myself in, these words that were given me, generated hope.

There is much I could say about the rest of my stay, but really there is no need for details. Suffice to say, the gift of these words was a catalyst, a reminder and a challenge all in one, to stay the path, dig in deep and do the work I needed to do.

Words Matter

As was my practice, I spent much time in my Bible, seeking comfort, direction and encouragement. These words reminded me of the importance of words in my life and reminded me to stick to what I knew.

Were the days easy? No! Was the work difficult? Yes! Did I often want to quit! For sure!

But the words I saw on my wall everyday reminded me that all the words I needed to read were available to me whenever I needed them. My Bible became my close companion and within it I found words of life that taught me about my value and worth, the purpose and plan for my life and the love of a Heavenly Father.

“I cried out for release from my torment and my voice was heard. I cried out for guidance and a hand reached to me. Form the darkest place I found hope. From the darkest place hope grew and sustained my spirit. From the darkest place I uncovered parts of me hidden for a lifetime. From the darkest place I learned to reach out, to trust, and to believe. From the darkest place I regained my faith. From the darkest place I became aware, grew more mindful. From the darkest place I learned to fight the resistance within.”

I read, I cried out, I worked, I reached out, I learned about myself and my God, I grew. In time the hope grew stronger, not only impacting me but those around me.

What You Need To Know

Why do I share this with you? I want you to know that:

1) you are not alone in your pit

2) you are not the only one who is struggling or has struggled

3) there is hope

4) if you are not ready to hope on your own, I will begin to hope for you

5) hope, acknowledged, will, in time, grow and strengthen and become believable and then undeniable

6) there are no quick fixes –life requires effort and commitment and work

7) no matter where you find yourself today, you can do this

What I Know!

Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places! I believe it with all my heart. I watched it at work. I watched in amazement and disbelief in my own life, and yet it worked anyway. 2001 feels like a lifetime ago in terms of where I’ve come since them. If I could change it all around, I wouldn’t change it. That time, although dark and full of despair, was a time of great growth. It taught me the importance of the Word in my life. It drew me closer to my Jesus and took my faith walk up several levels. It created within me a stamina and courage that I didn’t know I could ever have. Most of all, it took me on a journey that now allows me to speak hope into your life.

Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places

Hope Begins in the Darkest of Places still sits amongst my papers as I couldn’t bear to toss it.

The Step For Today

Where are you today? What hope do you need generated in your life? Today, I am believing for you. I have created a number of printables and social media posts for you to use. Click here to download. Print them off, hang them on your walls, physical and social media, and look at them often. Create your own if that works better for you. Just take that first step.

I’ve also done up a printable of a portion Psalm 40 for you – a Psalm that I read and reread in that season – a Psalm of truth and reality and great hope. I hope you will be encouraged by it.

Thanksgiving

I went home from those 5 months and 6 days in hospital a very different and much stronger individual; prepared to continue to do the work I needed to do. A year later on Thanksgiving Day I wrote this:

“There is a season for all things and I give thanks for my season of darkness and the resulting renewal I have been granted. I stand in the meadow of my soul, hand thrown up to heaven, and offer my heart and soul in thanks. My soul cries out to the Creator a song of praise for life and living, for despair and growth, for past and present, for enemies and friends, for the me I was, the me I am and the me I am to become.”

This is true 17 years later as I continue to sing out a song of praise! In time, I believe, it will be true for you as well!

Until Next Time

If you are interested in more Devotional reading, head over to my Facebook Page where you will find a Weekly Devotion early every Monday morning. Click the button below to go directly to the Weekly Devotions.

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

laurie

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