Discovering Who I Am

Posts Tagged ‘Family and Life’

Every one of us have people in our lives who are difficult to love. It may be a boss or co-worker. Or they may live closer to home, like a friend, sibling, parent or spouse. They may be struggling with deeply-established life patterns of sin. They may be angry and reacting out of hurt and wounds. Or maybe they are someone we have to interact with regularly who is just downright mean. In many cases we really want to love them, and in all cases, as Christians, we are called to love them– even when they are our enemy. How do I love someone who is unlovable?

First, I have to remind myself that love is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare. Love is a supernatural force of God which brings life to those who receive it. Second, I have to know that this kind of love is not tied to my emotions. I do not have to “feel” like I love the person; I choose to to love them. Love is a verb. And third (and most important) I have to believe in the invisible. This is what is meant in 1 Corinthians 13:7 where it is written that love believes all things.

This kind of love leads to a revelation of a person’s true identity in Jesus. This kind of belief entails a download from God of His heart for the person and an understanding of how He sees them. I come to know, deep down in my heart, that this individual is more than the brokenness, weakness or meanness they may appear on the outside. With this revelation and understanding comes the energy and endurance I need to love and serve above and beyond my natural ability.

When I believe all things on behalf of another person, I release God’s Spirit into their life to convict them of sin, to heal them of wounds and to draw them to Himself. He fills me with the wisdom of His truth about a person so that I can speak that truth into their life and cut away lies. Isaiah 49:2 says that He made our mouth like a sharpened sword. This sword can cut both ways. We speak out of what we believe, and that either builds a person up in agreement with God, or is a destructive force in their life when we speak out of only what we see in the natural.

All we need do is ask Him, “Who do You see when you look at this person?”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Proverbs 18:21

Just wanted to say hey to my brother lowell in beautiful Florida. I noticed you have been on the blog so I wanted to take an opportunity to tell you how glad I am that you are my brother and I wish I could see you more often. Tell that jewel of a sister of mine (Connie) hi and tell her that God loves her and thinks she is the greatest. (I can just see her smile right now, even from over here is Arizona).

Here is a favorite poem that reminds me of you when I read it:
THE ARROW AND THE SONG
I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where,
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of a song?

Long, Long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

You were an arrow that was shot far into the distance long ago and we found you (or you found us I should say) and a song that was breathed into the air that has been found in the heart of our friend and brother, Lowell.

We love you and are thinking of you!

This is a poem I recently wrote of my beautiful and gracious wife, Jennifer.

Soft as starlight, warm as sunshine,
fresh as Spring blossom pink.
Slender form as willow poised,
silken brush as gentle breeze

Haven in Her embrace secure;
warm caress, solace eternal .
Peace and rest in faith abide.
Fair and trusting regard Her name

Determined to all She sets her mind;
dedicated to all upon Her heart.
Blessing with a vision faith;
believing in all the highest.

Silver essence of wisdom flows
throughout Her sable locks.
The mysteries of Her design
whisper from Her deep brown eyes.

Grace is Her expression.
Virtue is Her way.
Elegance in each movement conveyed.
Beauty frames Her countenance.

Our paths forever intertwine
unto the twilight of our journey.
She is the substance of all love;
my beautiful gift divine.

–by Evan Grae Davis

Today is Jennifer’s 34th birthday. She is my greatest earthly treasure. I am such a blessed man to have a wife who loves God, pursues Truth, exudes beauty, graces our home and family in every way and gifts me with her love every day. I know I would not have achieved a fraction of what I have been blessed to be a part of in this life if it weren’t for God giving me a wife who shares my passion for greater purpose and who looks beyond the trappings of this world to the things of eternal value. I bless her today and for this coming year. May she realize her greater vision and purpose this year. May God bless her and keep her. May He make His face to shine upon her. May He lift up His countenance upon her and give her peace.

I wanted to share with the world one of the most meaningful and valuable things of mine: my Father’s Blessing, given me on my 40th birthday. Written by my father, Lonny Davis:

Dear Evan, yesterday was your fortieth birthday. I think there must be some mistake. Can you really be that old? It doesn’t seem that long ago that your mother and I were praying you would live long enough to become an adult. You were so full of energy, overflowing with imagination and ready to try anything some other guy tried, no matter how much older and more experienced he might have been.

You were always ready for fun, relishing a prank or surprise for your brother, sisters and friends. You were also a pretty good sport, taking what you dished out. I thought your groomsmen offered, during your wedding, a rather appropriate salute. Though the minister took offense, I enjoyed it. It’s O.K. to be different. How many brothers would eat mud pies made by their older sisters? You ate Chellee’s that she fed you when you were three years old. Encouraging and supportive little brother!

When you lost your right eye, mom and I were seemingly affected the deepest. We grieved, while you had fun scaring the girls. Read the rest of this entry »

We all need new hope. Why do you think health clubs see huge spikes in new memberships at new years? With the start of a new season comes a sense of great possibilities and opportunities. God knows this about us – He designed it into us. If you think about it, everything in the universe is built around cycles. The rotation of the Earth around the sun ensures the seasons. Each new year, new month, new day, new book, new job; each new relationship… even rearranging the living room gives the opportunity for a new start. Might I suggest that we embrace this new year with anticipation of the new things God wants to accomplish in us and through us? It is OK to hope for that victory we have been needing; that breakthrough we have been waiting for; expect the blessings and promises from God that His word tells us are ours. May God accomplish His perfect will in you and through you this new year.

I am always so thankful for the blessings and abundance that God pours into my life. However, occasionally there is that moment during which an unusual awareness sets in of all we really have and are privileged to do. That we live in prosperity goes without saying. Not only do we not have need, we live a lifestyle unmatched by kings and rulers not so long ago. To be used of God to help build His kingdom, to have a beautiful wife and healthy children, to have a family who cares for us, to have health. And this time of year, we are reminded of the abundance of grace we were given in the gift of our Saviour. Let’s not lose sight of what we are celebrating at Christmas. As you give and receive gifts this Christmas, give thanks to God for the ultimate gift.