Purpose

Giants, Flames, and the Faith That Overcomes

Giants, Flames, and the Faith That Overcomes: Walking in the Fire and Facing the Giant

Have you ever found yourself in such a place of intense mental stress that you somehow discovered an uncanny focus right in the midst of it? It’s like standing in the eye of the storm, where everything around you is in chaos, yet you find this strange, unshakable calm. This happens when you make the decision to walk through the fire, rather than turning back and running away. It’s the kind of resolve that only comes when you’ve got no other choice but to stand firm.

I am right now thinking of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: three boys face an ultimate test of faith. They are given a brutal choice to either bow down to the king’s golden statue or get tossed into a blazing furnace. But Seriously, who builds a furnace just to burn people alive? Surely, there must be more humane ways to deal with rebels!

But back to Shaddie, Mesh, and Abed…

We see young men who refuse to just sit around waiting for their doom; they are fervent in prayer and fasting, but in their faith, they are probably hoping against hope that the Nebuchadnezzar might come to his senses. They are counting on their own type of miracle. After all, “what God cannot do does not exist,” right?

I can almost see the headlines they are hoping for: “God Intervenes! King Nebuchadnezzar II Spares Faithful Servants!”—complete with a picture of the king looking remorseful, as the boys walk away, not a hair singed on their heads.

But God had a different plan. and the plan was not one of escape; The plan weirdly is to wait until they walk straight into the fire. Like what?? But just like Goliath didn’t magically disappear when David asked nicely, the teen shepherd had to confront Giant head-on, face-to-face, with nothing but a sling and his faith.

And let’s be real—it wasn’t just Jesus who prayed, “Remove this bitter cup from me.” Many have prayed the same, including you and me, when we’re staring down our own furnaces, our own giants, crying with all our might, God to please, please take this burden away. But sometimes, God isn’t looking to remove the challenge; He’s looking to glorify Himself through it.

Do you get that?

Imagine the Babylon Broadcasting Corporation (BBC—see what I did there?) gearing up to cover this story. The cameras zoom in on these three guys, who, by all accounts, seem like the biggest fools in the world. They’re about to get roasted alive, and for what? Just because they refused to bend the knee? I bet some of their fellow believers were even whispering, “Come on, guys, you could just kneel and pretend. In your hearts, you’d still be standing firm!” Guys, you have to remember Nebuchadnezzar is the most powerful King so far in the Chaldean dynasty, No one plays around with him

But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren’t about to compromise, not even a little. They were prepared to become barbecue if that’s what it took to stay true to their God. And just as the soldiers who threw them into the furnace turned to ash, something miraculous happened. The flames didn’t consume them; instead, they found a fourth figure in the fire with them—God Himself, standing with them in the heat. Now that is newsworthy! Even today, thousands of years later, their story continues to inspire us to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds.

And then there’s David, the shepherd boy who is sent to bring lunch to his brothers on the battlefield. His brothers—strong, seasoned warriors—looked down on him as just a boy, maybe even a bit of smart pants. But David looked up to them. He couldn’t wait to see their prowess in battle, eager to witness their might. But when he arrived at the scene, what did he find? A giant, not just insulting the army of Israel but hurling blasphemies against the God of Israel Himself.

David was furious. Who the earth of God did this Philistine think he was? Did he not know that he was insulting the living God? While everyone else trembled, David’s anger turned into righteous indignation. He remembered the lions and bears he had killed to protect his flock, beasts far more vicious than this giant who dared to defy God. To David, Goliath was just a mortal man, no different from those animals.

Without a trace of fear, David decided, “If I die, I die, but I’ll die fighting.” He wasn’t about to let anyone mock his God and live to tell the tale. Armed with nothing but his faith, a sling, and a few stones, David marched into the valley, ready to do what everyone else was too afraid to even try.

I want you to remember in whatever situation you are in, whether it’s walking into a furnace or standing before a giant, let’s remember that these are the moments where God’s glory shines the brightest. Our faith isn’t meant to be tested in comfortable circumstances—it’s in the fires and in the battles where it grows stronger, where it becomes unshakeable. So, step into the fire, face the giant, and trust that God is right there with you because HE IS!

Do you feel misunderstood?

Caroline and babies

In the shadows where they stand,
Unseen by most, in a forgotten land,
Society’s judgment, harsh and cold,
But within their hearts, a story unfolds.

Misunderstood, their journey unseen,
By those who know not where they’ve been,
Yet in the darkness, a transformation brews,
From the pain and struggle, strength ensues.

God’s hand, a sculptor in the night,
Molding souls, turning wrongs to right,
Squeezing them tight in trials so deep,
To awaken the beauty they’ve yet to reap.

They too yearn for a brighter day,
For the weight to lift and fears to sway,
Hold patience in your heart, my friend,
For their healing journey has no end.

Empathy and sympathy, let us embrace,
To lift them up, in this trying space,
For beneath the pain, their hearts do yearn,
To break free and finally learn.

With love and understanding, we’ll impart,
The strength to mend a broken heart,
And as they emerge from the darkest night,
They’ll shine with newfound, radiant light.

bY: Caroline Bongo

Finding my tribe

“Father Lord, I earnestly prayed, ‘Help me find my tribe, that will help me find my voice, that will help me sing my song.’ Even as I type this today, I see the sequence of a song, I see the rhythm of the words, and I see the music in it all. Because that’s how my mind works.

Why was I making this prayer? Because I was feeling pretty lost. I had just come from a session of desperately trying to explain myself to someone who did not understand me, who I was, what I did, and why I did what I did the way I did it. We were both in the vineyard, we were both creatives, and we had so much in common, but try as I did, they could not understand me. I gave up.

Then I realized that for the one person who did not ‘get’ me, there was always another who picked the words right out of my mouth. If I developed a thought, they voiced it before I could. They have read every single blog I have written since I started over a decade ago! They have read my books, downloaded my music, and shared it with anyone who cares to listen! They will listen to my podcasts, even those that sound boring even to me!

Then it occurred to me that my tribe is out there. They are my support team, they are my backup, they are my cheerleaders. They do not care if I am rich or broke, they do not care if I am small or famous. They like everything I say, they enjoy everything I do, and they are in sync with who I am.

The mistake we make in life is to presume that we are sent for everyone. In business, we want to sell our products and services to everyone, as a minister, we want to pastor each and every one. Each one of us has the people we are called for. The issue is that, like a needle in a haystack, we will have to find our lot. It’s a very slow and tedious process, which requires one to develop a thick skin because the amount of distraction we face from opposing tribes is incredibly crazy.

The Bible in John 3:27 says, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.’ That’s why it’s important to be patient. If God has given you a mission and you are burning to get the word out there, ask Him for your tribe. Ask Him to bring the target people for which your mission lies. Our God is faithful and kind. He will do it speedily because it’s more important to Him than you to fulfill the work for which He set you at the beginning of the world.

Finding your tribe is not just about connecting with people who share your interests or beliefs; it’s about finding those who resonate with your unique voice, your individuality, and your purpose. In a world full of noise and distractions, it’s easy to feel lost, to feel like you’re speaking to an audience that doesn’t quite understand or appreciate your message. But rest assured, your tribe is out there.

The people who are meant to walk alongside you on your journey, the ones who will amplify your voice, and harmonize with your song are waiting to be found. They are the ones who will support you, inspire you, and lift you up, regardless of your circumstances or your status. Your tribe will stand by you through thick and thin, believing in your mission and your vision.

But the path to finding your tribe is not always straightforward. It’s a journey that requires patience, resilience, and unwavering faith. You may encounter many who don’t resonate with your message, and who don’t understand your vision, but that’s okay. Remember that you are not sent to everyone. Your calling, your mission, and your message are meant for a specific group of individuals.

As you embark on your quest to find your tribe, keep the words of John 3:27 close to your heart. Trust in the divine plan and timing. Ask your Father, the Lord, for guidance, and He will bring the right people into your life. He knows the importance of your mission, and He wants to see it fulfilled.

So, do not lose heart. Keep creating, keep sharing, and keep singing your song. Your tribe is out there, and when you find them, you’ll know. They will celebrate your uniqueness, your authenticity, and your purpose. They will be your unwavering support, and together, you’ll make beautiful music in the symphony of life. Your Father in heaven has already set the stage for your success, and your tribe will be there to cheer you on.”