It was the 7th grade, I can remember standing at my blue locker literally feeling a tug on my heart, the conviction of the Spirit asking me to choose God or the acceptance of my friends who were slowly veering into rebellion. I didn’t always make the best choices, but the Lord loved me so much He allowed me to be humiliated to put me on the right path close beside Him again. Early in the 10th grade I had to change schools and though painful, it was the course correction I needed. My friends who helped get me in trouble that year made fun of me for preaching in High School two years later. At this time I was firm in my faith again, leading Bible studies at lunch, a youth group leader and headed to Bible College. I’ll never forget how deep it cut as they laughed at the photo on my graduation poster of me speaking with a Bible in hand in a High School chapel. It wasn’t just me they were laughing at – it was Jesus. My best friend. My Savior. Their friendship could never save me, it never comforted me like He did. They left and He stayed.

They didn’t take me to Heaven as a young girl, they didn’t bring me out of my body to encounter Jesus in heavenly places, they didn’t save my physical life from death many times, they weren’t there when I was abandoned, they weren’t protecting me when demonic entities were coming for me through spirits and people. They didn’t answer my prayer as a 13 year old when I asked God for a hug and I went to the alter in church because I was tormented with thoughts of suicide and felt an actual supernatural hug around my heart. (and those were just the teen years). Honestly, what are we expecting to get from others?

I’m thankful for the narrow way, and even the tight leash that has always seemed to grip me because though it can be lonely, I am foreverbnear my greatest treasure. Some have never outgrown peer pressure. But with Jesus, you always belong. I pray my heart will be brave to choose always anointing over popularity.

This is a season of maturity. Don’t miss out on what the Lord wants to do in and through you because you need approval. Who else can compare to our Creator? Who else can fulfill your hearts longing more than Him? There is no other. What can these people do for you? Let your heart mature in this season, crowds and numbers don’t always mean success – and I’m speaking to the minister of 30 years as much as the tween addicted to likes on her phone. And while in your head you’ll agree with me, your heart may still be struggling on the narrow road. Friend, this is the time to store up treasures in Heaven. Popularity is fleeting and temporary. Charisma is not anointing. Anointing comes from being in the presence of The Anointed One. Choose wisely as days coming ahead will prove your allegiance.