The Weapons Are Prospering…

Image of darts hitting a target - Photo by Tomas Martinez on Unsplash

We have a new Doctor in the family! Congratulations to Dr. Krystal Chantel George, the Director of the Duke University’s Women’s Center, extraordinary mama, dog parent and incredible wife to Dre’. I had the pleasure of celebrating with she and her family as she donned her doctoral beanie and a cute pair of sequin shorts (post the doctoral robe). As I’ve always shared, my brother told me in 2003 when my doctorate was conferred, “Attempt something so big that only God gets the credit!” As it seemingly is a rites of passage, Dr. George endured her share of trials while pursuing her degree. We all laughed as her husband spoke about the journey. He remixed, if you will, Isaiah 54:17. He shared, “The weapons were prospering!” I got such a kick out of it, because I knew the depth and trauma from which he spoke. We know the scripture, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” However, either our eyes deceive us in that there is actually no weapon, or indeed we navigate seasons whereby it authentically feels like the weapons are prospering. What are we to do in those lingering moments? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like our bodies are limber and flexible enough to dodge what is being projected in our direction, at our families, our spaces of employment, our bodies and yes, even our children - no matter how old they are. When we are weak and depleted of strength, clarity, peace, assurance and help, how do we conform our bodies to matrix the plans of the enemy or the permissions of God?

I would suggest that in those moments, the answer is simple, yet us “doctors” and other analytically minded folx make it difficult. In the words of Lauryn Hill, “It could all be so simple, but you’d rather make it hard!” When we see no way out, when we are overwhelmed by the cares of the world, following what God instructed, we must declare that even though the weapons may form, they will not prosper through God! If it feels like the weapons are prospering, it is an indication for us to go deeper in our Creator who makes us victorious! When I’ve purposefully been in a posture of seeking, God has allowed me to witness the weapon being formed, thereby allowing my confidence in God to be on full display and operational. When I’m scattered, doing my quick 1:1 with God, to “check the box,” I’m ill-prepared for sustainability through the storm. While I was being still to hear what to blog about, I first heard drumming. Then I heard “The Champ Is Here!” I was catapulted back to the memory of Muhammad Ali’s voice, with the drumming. We always learned that the move of God is always preceded by a sound. You may not have drums, but you can certainly tap into similar energy. When we feel like the “weapons are prospering,” make a sound! Declare the goodness of God! Remind yourself of victories of the past, when you felt like there was no way out. Remind yourself of witnessing a miracle or being on the receiving end of one. Imagine creating the sound and witnessing your Champ, our God, stepping in the ring and assuming the win that was settled at Calvary! As the song says, “It ain’t over, until God says it’s over!” Remind yourself. Encourage yourself. Settle yourself. Prosper yourself. The weapons appear to be prospering but we must continue to engage that which we’ve been trusted to handle while announcing His presence and His ability to thwart it all! It is our heritage to win. Let’s go! The Champ is Here!