Whitnee's journey with Christ

Can anyone relate to the lyrics of this song?

Luther Barnes & The Red Budd Gospel Choir- I’m Still Holding On 

They said I wouldn’t make it
They said I wouldn’t be here today
They said I never amount to anything 
But I’m glad to say, that I’m on my way 
And I’m going more and more each day 
There were many that started out with me
But now, they’ve gone astray 
But I’m still holding on 
I’m still holding on 
I’m still holding on to His hand 


You see when I was young, I gave God my hand
And I told Him to lead the way 
Though the road has been rough 
And the goings been mighty tough, still
I ain’t going nowhere, I’m right here to stay
Though I’ve been talked about and
Oh I’ve been criticized 
I had to wipe many tears from my eyes
But I’m still holding on
I’m still holding on 
I’m still holding on to His hand 
(And I’m still)

Every time I read the lyrics to this song I envision Eva up on the choir stand with Miriam, Cynthia, Marlene, Eric, Leon, Alex, Carla, and others singing as her back up. It’s like that song was made just for her voice. There was never a dry eye in the church when she finished singing that song. Oh how I long to hear her sing it again. If you are reading this message today, Eva I would be honored if you could post a video or a recording of you singing this song- it would bless the world)

It’s amazing how the songs I grew up listening to on the record player or listening to in church or even having the opportunity to sing them in church bring so much meaning to my life and help bring peace to whatever it is that I’m facing. Oh how delightful that was to go down memory lane, the good ole days with my first family at NST.

So as I sit downstairs in isolation, I reflect back over 2021. I reflect back on everything that I loss and I smile when I think of everything that I gained. I can’t help but thank God in all my losses and my gains because through it all His love remained the same.

As many times as I was bugging out; God never left me. As many times as I felt alone; He was there every step of the way. He heard every cry; He heard every plea; He saw all my shortcomings, He saw all doubts and my fears; and He saw all the love I gave and received.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:13

God always wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him. As humans sometimes we don’t tap into this resource until we have gone through some things or until we find ourselves in need and His Grace and mercy pulls us from the depths of our on despair.

God has redeemed us. God has saved us. God has given us a second chance. Not because we have been blessed to live through 2021 and here we are the first of January in 2022. No, God renews us with each new day.

Going back to scripture, you read in Ephesians 2:13 that we have this relationship with God through the blood of His son Jesus Christ.

Thank you Heavenly Father for shedding Your blood for me. Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for the gift of your love. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you for accepting me as I am where I am. Thank you for loving me Jesus. Thank you for holding me Jesus. Thank you for never giving up on me even when I wanted to die. Thank you for restoring my mind. Thank you for delivering me from depression. Thank you for giving me an unique purpose. Thank you for Your plan for my life. Let thy Will be done!

Ephesians 2:17 says, He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

And going down to Ephesians 3:3-7 it reads: how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakes of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Paul, the prisoner of Christ, was used to build a church worldwide, it says in verse 8 that he was chosen to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

One may ask why would God use a man who tried to destroy the church at one point in time. Paul wondered the very same thing. He wondered why and how could God use me, a sinner, to preach the Word to these people?!

You ever ask yourself “Lord why me?” You ever ask yourself “how could little ole me do this or do that?”

We serve a mysterious God. We serve a God who makes no mistakes. We serve a God who has purpose for everything. Yes my friends, FOR EVERYTHING, even our pain!

You see in chapter 3 of Ephesians the mystery was revealed, the purpose of the mystery was explained; therefore the mystery was appreciated.

It isn’t until we get over the mountaintop and go through the valleys of life that we learn to appreciate the trials and tribulations. It isn’t until we catch that second wind that we learn to appreciate everything we face in this life.

Ephesians 3:16 reads: that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His spirit in the inner man.

God is telling us right here in Scripture that He has given us a power we can tap into. God gives us the strength. The same strength used to raise Jesus from the dead. It’s ours, we just have to believe.

Yes we are going to go through things. Yes we are going to get hurt along the way. Yes we are going to shed some tears. Yes we are going to fall down. Yes we are going to hit some bumps in the road. Yes we may fall short BUT WE CAN GET UP. We can continue to fight. We can continue to praise God. We have to persevere and keep the faith.

God placed it on my heart to encourage somebody today. He wants us to get up and receive His blessings. he wants us to get up and continue His work. He wants to get up and walk into our destiny!!!!! WE CAN’T LET COVID HOLD US DOWN, WE CANT LET THE DEVILS ENDLESS ATTEMPTS TO HOLD US DOWN KEEP US DOWN, WE HAVE TO FIGHT, WE HAVE TO PRAY, WE HAVE TO CLAIM THE VICTORY, WE HAVE TO LIFE FOR CHRIST, WE HAVE TO GIVE UP OURSELVES, WE HAVE TO WALK INTO OUR PURPOSE.

Where we came from in 2021 is not where we are headed in 2022. The same things that held us back in 2021, don’t have a hold of us now!

Verses 17-21 says, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the Saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God heard your cries my sisters and brothers and He is answering us. Get up and clothe yourself in His Grace, wash in His blood, bathe in His love, accept all He has in store for you in this moment right here. He can do far above our wildest dreams, more than anything we could ever imagine.

Doesn’t it feel good to walk in your destiny? Doesn’t it feel good to walk in His presence? Doesn’t it feel good to get back to His purpose for your life? I feel good! The purpose of my pain is to live to tell the story of hope, the story of faith, the story of God’s love for you and I. He gave it to me and I plan to live through it while trying to encourage someone to keep on, keeping on.

I’m still holding on. I’m still holding on to God’s hands. 🙏🏾