I was 21 years old.
Sitting at a funeral to a woman I knew little of. All I knew was that she attended my church and that she served in the church choir. I sat there in that funeral feeling broken, alone, with no sense of direction for my life.
When news broke out that Christen was fighting for her life, the entire church, myself included, rallied alongside one another to call down the healing, resurrection power of God. But it never came. At least not on this side of eternity. Rather, her purpose did.
Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
As the funeral continued her husband stood in front of everyone. With every eye on him, he began to share from Christen’s journal. In the midst of tears, in the midst of sadness, in the midst of loss, he read the words she once journaled : “Beloved, do not settle.”. And that’s when He spoke.
I wish I could tell you what else was being shared by her husband but I can’t.
The only thing I could think of was my situation at the time. I was young, lost, alone and stuck in a four year toxic relationship. While I knew not what was happening at that moment, years later, I see now how God through the loss of Christen’s life, did indeed save a life- mine.
That year in 2012, I died. Died to myself. I decided that I would no longer “settle” for the things of this world. Not in life, not in love, not in relationships. (Cue, my infamous #BelovedDoNotSettle hashtag.)
You see, to me, it’s more than a hashtag.
It’s a way of living. It is my life’s motto.
Had I not accepted the call to “not settle” who knows where life would have taken me.
I probably would’ve continued to travel down a path of brokenness and loneliness with no end in sight- but God! By His grace and mighty strength, I gained the power to say “No” to the temptations of this world and “Yes” to his will. As I did, He began to strip away things that did not bring him glory. Including that four year toxic relationship.
From speaking engagements, to raising up the next generation of victorious children as a Ministry Director, I truly believe that NONE of these opportunities would have been possible had I not opened up my heart to God and obeyed his word as He spoke: “Beloved, do not settle.”.
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
(John 12:24 NIV)
Beloved, (dearly loved, worthy of love, favorite)
My God has impeccable plans for your life. Plans that you cannot even begin to imagine. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, you just have to receive His plans for your life.
But it starts with a decision. A decision to follow Him and die to self. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
To receive all that He has for you, read the prayer below:
Abba, (Father)
I am your Beloved, dearly loved, and worthy of love. Today I admit that I fall short and I am a sinner. Because your blood is greater than my past, I open up my heart to you and ask you to be the Lord of my life, my mind and my heart. Wash me by your blood. Thank you for receiving me as I receive you. In Jesus name, amen.
If you prayed that prayer or even rededicated your life to Christ making a conscious decision to “not settle”, Beloved, say hello below. I’d love to connect with you personally. – XO
#BelovedDoNotSettle
Samantha Salerno 