Ali Yost (2:12)
Studio right now is the day that I guess the whole Internet has been saying that Jesus was gonna come back and it was the Rapture, so, so I honestly wasn't even getting a whole lot of that on my for you page, which is shocking because I think a lot of most of my content that comes on my feed is all like Jesus stuff. So I actually had no idea that that was even going on until yesterday, the day before. And anyway, obviously we're still here and, and if you guys are listening to this episode, it's a few weeks from now, so we're definitely still here. But yeah, that has just been kind of a silly, a silly thing on the Internet. And I think it's had a lot of us Christians scared, which makes me sad because I, I just don't think that that's what God would want for us to be afraid. I think that obviously it says in his Word that we should be prepared no matter what, because we do not know the day or hour of which God, you know, is going to send his son back. And it even says in Scripture, I think, I believe it's in the book of Matthew where it says that not even Jesus himself knows, only the Father knows. And so, yeah, it's, it's been, it's been interesting to observe and see happening on the Internet because I'm like, huh, that's so interesting. I, I think people have been doing this since like the 1800s, like people probably before that. It's like, I'm sure people have been predicting and you know, they've, they've put all these clues together. But I, if I'm gonna be honest, I think that that's pretty prideful for us as just a human race to think that we can predict the day and time of which Jesus is coming. Because I feel like that whether we realize it or not is saying that we know more than even Jesus himself, or that we are intelligent enough to predict what God is doing and, and when he will come. And I think just from my own life and, and on a much smaller scale of just like day to day things, but it's, it's been very evident in, in my life and I've been humbled time and time again that I cannot predict what God is doing ever. I, I can try and I can try to predict God's timing and how he's going to do things or whatever, and I've never been able to successfully do it. And I'm also not saying I'm the smartest person on earth, but I don't even think the smartest person on earth could ever predict what God is doing. I just think as the creation that has come from him, it's a. It seems a bit prideful for us to think that we can predict what God is going to do or even say that we are any steps ahead of Jesus himself just feels very arrogant of us. And I don't think that that's a majority of people's intention with what's been going on online with predicting and trying to. I think, you know, I'd like to assume that it comes from a place of good, but it feels prideful for us to think that we could ever know. So with that being said, obviously this is very delayed. You guys won't be hearing this for a few weeks after all of this, so maybe this is all irrelevant by then when this episode airs. But I think, you know, it's not that we shouldn't believe. Obviously, we all believe. If we are Christians, we do believe in the coming of Jesus. And so that is something to be ready for and prepared for. And I think the best way to be prepared for that is to be faithful every day and to be obedient to Jesus every day to the best of our abilities, and to really give him our lives, you know, and, and really make him the center of every avenue and aspect of our lives, to be committed to him, to love him, and to not be ashamed to tell people about the faithfulness of God and the goodness of God and to not be ashamed to let our lives be a sacrifice to the Lord. And I think that's the way we prepare is to just continue to be faithful to God and, and let the fruit of our lives even minister to people, and that that's all we can really do. I don't think that there's anything more we should be doing than that. I think, yeah, it's crazy. I mean, I, I don't know if it's like, real or not, but I was like, seeing people, like, selling their belongings, like, selling their cars, like, crazy stuff, and I'm just like, I don't really know what productivity there is. I, I don't see God saying that that's what we need to do to prove that we believe. I, I just think that the, the best way to prove that we believe in Jesus is by taking every day as seriously as it would be our last and, and to be as faithful to Jesus today as we would be as if it was our last day. I think that's all we need to do. So anyway, if, if you know, the book of Revelation and even seeing everything that's happening in the world. And, and the thing is, is I, I do think that it's, it's biblical because it is, it says in God's word that we will know when the time is coming, just as a woman knows that her baby is coming, you know, through birthing pains. And so, like, as a body, I think we can acknowledge that there, there is a shift that has happened. I think that this has been a buildup for a long time. But I think even since the beginning of this year, I feel like I've seen God and I, I, I, I can't like, necessarily put my finger on it. I, we can blanket it in, in a huge statement like saying revival is coming. And I know I've used that word sometimes, and now I, I've like, navigated that with the Lord, with even like, using that word too much. But at the end of it all, whether we can really pinpoint it or not, I think as a church, we can agree that something's happening and God is moving and, and he. Something, he's doing something. In our generation, in this country, specifically in, in the world, like, he's doing something. There's been a shift, I think that it would be naive for us to just turn our back completely and be like, oh, well, whatever, like, whenever Jesus comes. Like, I think it is very biblical for us as a church to be like, hm, something's in the air, the birthing pains. Like, there's, there's signs and there are things of being like, okay, it is near. Like, the time is near, but we, we can't predict the exact date and time. Like, that is not biblical, but it is near. So, yeah, I think that is worth acknowledging. I, I do believe that we could be on the brink of something really huge that God has, and I'm really excited for it. I think even us as believers, there should be nothing to be afraid of. There should be nothing to be afraid of. I think as long as we're living our lives faithfully to the Lord every day. And the thing is, is he knows your heart. And so if he, if, if he know your heart is pure, for him, that's all he needs. We have nothing to worry about. You guys have nothing to worry about. There's nothing. It, it burdens me the most when I see Christians that are, like, scared. I'm like, why are we scared? Well, what are we scared about? I mean, maybe it'll be a pretty crazy experience. Like, I don't think we have anything to be fearful of anyway. What was that side tangent? I Don't know. I just think it's because of, obviously, the day that I'm filming this on that it's brought all this up. I've even gotten a lot of you guys, like, requesting for us to talk about the Book of Revelation and talk about the end times and talk about the times that we're in. And to be honest, I don't feel. It's not that I'm not open to talking about those things. I would love to, but I just don't believe that I've. I've honestly educated myself enough. If I'm just being so for real, I don't know if I've studied enough of the Book of Revelation. And so I would like to have more of a theological just understanding and more of a foundation before touching on that stuff, because that's like a big, big conversation. And so, yeah, I mean, I'm open to it. I think that that would just take me sitting down and really studying and taking the time and effort to prepare to talk about something like that. And so, yeah, I'd be. Honestly, I'd be more than happy to do that, but I just don't believe I'm at a place just yet to speak on that. I just don't want to ever speak about anything that I just don't feel like I've sat with Jesus enough with, you know, and so I'd like to sit with Jesus more about that before bringing it to the pod. But I hear you and I see you, and if. If that's something that you've wanted for this podcast, I'm glad to touch on it. I don't know, maybe even I could bring on a guest for that. Like somebody who's, like, really theologically sound in those things and. And have a discussion with somebody who could even bring more W to the topic rather than just me sitting here by myself. Anyway, that's me processing out loud. Guys, I'm really excited for this episode. This episode was inspired. Literally two hours ago, I had no idea what we were going to talk about. And I was getting ready in my bathroom, just reflecting with Jesus. And I was ha. I was reflecting on some recent conversations that I've been having just, like, with people in my life. And I was talking to a friend even this morning, and we were talking about identity. And I know that that's something we've touched on before in this podcast, but I just have, like, such a fresh revelation of. I just want to talk about it again. I would. I would love to just talk about the topic of identity and what that means for us as believers. But not only that, but, like, what to look out for when it comes to the enemy. Because his biggest thing, what the enemy wants to steal from us the most, is our identity, who we've been created to be. And if he can convince us otherwise, like, he. He's Juan. And that goes for not only non believers, but also believers. Like, he does that. It's. It's across the board. I mean, he just wants to convince every person who's been made in the image of God that they are not who God says they are or they are not who God has created them to be. And he can be so sneaky about it. And so I wanted to talk about that, and I. The conversation that I was having with my friend was really interesting because we were talking about the fact that a lot of times the enemy will plant seeds in our mind about who we are, like, who he says that we are, convincing us that it's the truth, when, honestly, that was never a part of our identity from the beginning. Like, let's say you have this fear of being needy or too much. And so the enemy will plant all these ugly seeds in your mind, saying, like, you are literally so annoying. All you do is need. You're so needy. Like, you're just honestly, a burden. You're a nuisance. You're annoying. Okay, so all those thoughts, like, all those seeds are being planted in your mind, and now it is like, your biggest fear to be needy. And so now you're doing everything in your efforts to not be needy. But it's almost interesting because I feel like a lot of times when those seeds are planted in our minds, we are so focused on not being that thing that we actually end up becoming it. Because we've been convinced that we could be or are that very thing. And so in all the efforts that we're making, focusing on it so much, like, well, I better make sure I'm not needy and annoying. It's like. Or whatever that is. Like, you're focusing on not being that so much so that you've actually. It's like a little bit of like a uno reverse of the enemy, where because you're focusing so hard on not trying to be that thing, you become it, and then it becomes your reality, and then you're shaking hands with it, and then you're like, oh, I actually am really annoying. I am really needy because of all the efforts of you. Trying not to be needy has made you needy. And now you've adopted an identity that was never for you from the beginning. And so now you're seeing the proof, you're like, oh, wait, no, I. What are you talking about? I am. Because, like, look at what's happened. And then people are calling you annoying, and it's like, it's become real now. Like, that seed isn't just a seed anymore. Like, you've done things now to water it unintentionally. You thought you were doing the opposite, but, like, you're doing things and now it's sprouted and it's a real plant. And so you're looking at it, you're like, what do you mean? It's right there. Like, it's real. Like, what do you mean? I'm not needy. But that was actually never a part of your identity from the beginning. And so it's interesting. Like, I'll even look at my own life where I've believed things about myself. Like, I. I've believed that I'm not smart enough. And that's a straight up lie. But it's a lie that I think was planted in my mind at a very young age when I just wasn't the best at school. And I think I'm not bashing the schooling system because, like, hello, we need school, we need education. Like, we need that stuff. But I think that there's such a temptation of putting our identity in that and our worth in that and our worth in, like, scores and how we do on tests and, you know, the SATs and being accepted into certain colleges and stuff. Like, those are all good things, but handled irresponsibly, where it's like, it's all of this or nothing. Like, this is who you are and nothing. It can be very damaging for kids, you know, or young adults, teenagers who are growing up and just starting to discover, like, who they are and they're growing into the person that God has created them to be. And so I think for me, and not having a foundation of Jesus, like, I did not have a solid foundation of God growing up, I didn't get my worth through Jesus. I didn't let him speak to me. Identity and truth of who I was. And so growing up and not getting good test scores, it didn't necessarily mean I was dumb. It just means probably those topics weren't really my thing, or like, I wasn't applying myself enough, or I just, like, didn't care. It doesn't mean I wasn't capable and I wasn't smart. But I let those things tell me that I wasn't smart. And so now I've believed that I'm not smart. So now I'm not even gonna bother, like, trying to apply myself or read books or. I don't even let myself go there because I've already been convinced that I'm stupid. I know that sounds crazy, but, like, I'm already dumb, so why try? And then I actually am kind of dumb. Listen, hear me out. I know, okay? I could be using better words. It's not true. I know I'm not dumb, but it's like, now I'm not even trying. So, like, I'm not even trying to fill my mind with wisdom and knowledge and reading books and, like, so. And being a sponge. I'm not even letting myself get there. And so now I do have a lack of knowledge. I'm not dumb, but, like, I do have a lack of knowledge because I've convinced myself I'm. I will never absorb it. I will never learn those things. I'm not smart enough. I'm gonna try and I'm gonna fail. That's what I learned in school. Like, I did nothing but fail in school. I. I wasn't smart enough. And so. And then it became my reality where, like, I wasn't, quote, I didn't have enough knowledge. Like, I wasn't even applying myself or letting myself. So that's just a personal, like, revelation that I had for myself. And it's an example of, like, the enemy convinced me that I was stupid, that I was not smart. I wasn't capable of absorbing any kind of knowledge, any kind of wisdom, especially when it came to, like, reading books and, like, learning more about things like that, you know? And so, because I. I believed it, and I saw the proof in my test scores at school and stuff, I didn't even try. And now I'm living that reality. I've adopted that identity. I've shaken hands with it, and it's become who I never was actually supposed to be, but I shook hands with it. And so anyway, it's. It's so sneaky. It's so sneaky of the enemy. And. And we don't even see it. And. And then it's like, once we see the proof of it, because we've unintentionally come into agreement with it, it's become our identity. It's become our reality. And so, yeah.
