Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
October 23, 2023
This Week's Anchor
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (NIV)
Do you ever find yourself so exhausted that you feel you have nothing left to give? I certainly have. As Black women, we carry a lot—and somehow with a smile. Studies and statistics show that we are breaking barriers on several fronts. Black women are flourishing in leadership positions within our government. Black women are at the center of revolutionary movements, initiatives, and endeavors. In addition to this, Black women now supersede Black men in obtaining college degrees. Despite layers of obstacles, Black women manage to magic our way through just about anything, but at what cost? What these figures don’t reveal is the degree of self-sacrifice and fatigue that comes along with these achievements. I can count on many occasions where I’ve made the grade, tackled the task, or organized the event and was left depleted. In fact, if I’m completely honest, many weeks I come to this sacred devotion-writing space empty. I open my Bible and laptop and stare at a blank screen wondering what remnants of energy I can gather to inspire others. Nevertheless, each week God shows up.
I’ve been amazed at God’s beautifully Divine ability to make something out of my nothing—our anchor scripture this week illustrates this sentiment. This passage reminds us that:
When we are exhausted and empty, there is more room for God to show up
Our imperfections allow the demonstration of God’s perfect Power
When we answer God’s call despite our concerns about our abilities, expertise, struggles, previous rejection, or experiences, He joins us in our humility
When we are lost and can’t find our way, or when we don’t know what to say or do, it’s in Him that we find strength and direction
I remember the moment I decided to finally follow God’s call to develop and launch this devotional community two years ago. At the time we’d survived almost a year of forging through the pandemic, so I had a well-established virtual church routine. As I sat down to listen to a pastor whom I followed one Sunday, I heard the subject of the sermon (anchoring within the deep waters of faith with God) and thought, yes, this is just what I need. As the pastor finished the sermon, he began to encourage listeners into the spiritual deep. He began naming specific things that folks might be called to, and as he went down the list, he stated “Maybe you’re being called to write that devotional” …This man could have been talking to thousands of others, but at that moment, I was completely stunned that God had somehow spoke right to me through the computer screen. I felt led to this calling for over a decade, and I entered that year with the need for this devotional community heavy on my heart. Despite vividly hearing from God and knowing the right thing to do, I thought of every reason why this just couldn’t happen. I mean…we were in the middle of a global pandemic, I wasn’t too far into my journey of marriage and had just begun my journey of motherhood, I was feeling disconnected from a designated church community, and I had just reached a point of rest from trudging through several years of schooling and the licensing process. Simply put, I didn’t feel like stepping out on faith, nor did I think I had what it took to actually make it happen. And yet, hearing directly from God on that Sunday was the intervention that I needed. I somehow gathered what little spark I had and surrendered to God, and two years and over 75+ weekly devotions later, here we are.
Sometimes, like the story of Peter (Matthew 14: 22-33), God just needs us to take a step of faith. It’s rare that God will reveal the entirety of His plans or much detail about our future paths, but when we make moves, He shows up at each step. Like 2021 pre-GBW Dericka, you might hear God call you into a season, ministry, initiative, and/or mindset. Maybe you have dreams that have been envisioned since you were young, or passions that you’ve been disconnected from over the recent years. Perhaps you’ve been called to start an organization, write a book, launch a podcast, or create space for a particular community. Whatever it is, if you feel God leading you to it, commit to giving God your “yes”. Remember that God doesn’t need you perfect and complete, He will meet you in your weaknesses and provide His Divine compliment to your purpose—one small step at a time.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What are you currently feeling called to? What gets in the way of you responding to this calling?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 40:29-31
Isaiah 43:2
Matthew 14:22-33
Philippians 4:13
Hebrews 4:16
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive;
and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Maya Angelou
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