When God speaks through Katy Perry

In college I always loved the song "Roar" by Katy Perry. My roommate and I even choreographed an entire dance to it. (Yes we do have documented proof of this). I never expected to find any spiritual significance in the song, but as I went through my CD collection, I found myself playing it over and over again, totally blown away that God was speaking to me through a mainstream, secular pop song.

The lyrics that caught my attention were as follows:

You held me down, but I got up Already brushing off the dust You hear my voice, your hear that sound Like thunder, gonna shake the ground You held me down, but I got up Get ready 'cause I had enough I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter Dancing through the fire 'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar Louder, louder than a lion 'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar

* Cue the car karaoke at full blast*

There I was, en-route to work, formulating my spiritual warfare battle strategy to the catchy Katy Perry tune. See, as a singer by trade I always like to identify who I am signing to and why. I'm not really sure who Katy Perry was thinking of when she wrote this song, but as I cruised down the backroads of Kings Park I began to get a lot of clarity as to who I felt these words should be directed towards.

See, lately I've been reminded that there is a very real enemy who wants to see me incapacitated, wallowing, defeated, and retreated. I'm talking about Satan. He is in the business of stealing, killing and destroying. He's all about holding us down, silencing us, lying to us and instilling fear. I have realized that the more God reveals His life-giving plans to me, the more Satan seems to amp up his attempts to get me stuck and tempt me to throw in the towel.

Those who are my friends know that I've been in a "warrior queen" phase for the past month and a half. (I almost bought a sword on e-bay...that's how next- level it was). Jesus has made it very clear that change is on the horizon and to get ready/excited. (More on that to come!) Yet with big change comes resistance, and discomfort. As someone who typically loves plans, I am shocked to find myself running into the unknown with a heart full of expectation, knowing the best is yet to come.

I did a little research on the "eye of the tiger" and discovered that "The 'eye(s) of the tiger' actually refers to what the tiger's prey last sees prior to being killed. It's a reference to impending death of the prey. When a tiger 'goes in for the kill', it turns it's ears backwards, showing the spot on the back of each ear, i.e. the 'tiger's eyes'"

I recognize that there are things in my life that need to die. I'm moving in for the kill in regards to fear, guilt, shame, and anything else that holds me back.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 puts it this way:

"We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience."

The footnote at the bottom of this passage indicates that in this passage Paul describes four arenas of our warfare: (1) We are empowered by grace and with the gospel to dismantle strongholds. (2) We demolish arguments, opinions, theories and philosophies. (3) We take captive every thought to insist that it become obedient to the mind of Christ. (4) We stand ready and willing to wage war and defeat the enemy.

Two years ago this January, I started on a journey of wholeness, healing and freedom. I am constantly having to lay perfectionism, people-pleasing, striving and self-condemnation on the alter and receive grace, mercy, and hope instead. I can speak with full conviction that Satan hates all things pertaining to life-especially freedom. So today (and in the days ahead) I'll turn my stereo up and belt a little louder to remind him (satan) that I am a Champion and he's gonna hear me roar.

Roar for freedom.

Roar for breakthrough.

Roar in the face of fear.

Declaring that I am ready for what God has for me next.

#ObrigadoJesus