Issue 1 | 2024

TRANSFORMED LIVES
Three Cs That Can
Transform Your Life
BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
I AM ONE OF THOSE STRANGE peo-
successfully apply the three Cs to your life.
safe place, and His arms are open wide,
ple who enjoys performing under pres-
Staying close to God requires daily ac-
ready to receive you.
sure. The only problem with that is, I often
knowledgement of who He is. We draw
“Draw close to me,” He says, “and I will
equate my worth with my performance, es-
close by reading God’s Word, meditating
draw close to you” (James 4:8). This is your
pecially when it comes to my relationship
on His truths, and trusting Him and His
promise—what’s holding you back?
with God. It’s hard for me to remember that
promises (Philippians 4:6–7). We also do
Staying clean is a daily decision too. We
He doesn’t love me for what I do or don’t
this by talking to Him about what’s going
stay clean by keeping our thoughts pure
do. He just loves me.
on in our lives. Fellowshipping with other
and in line with God’s thoughts and by
He’s had to remind me of this many
believers helps too.
abstaining from gratifying the passions
times. “Kristi,” He’s said, “you already have
We draw close when we snuggle up to
of our flesh (Philippians 4:8). We can’t live
My love and favor; you don’t have to earn
God and rest in Him. I like to envision my-
with one foot in the Word and one foot in
that. It’s yours just because you are Mine.
self leaning into Him like a child does with
the world.
You’re My child; all I want is your love. Don’t
someone they love and trust. That’s how
It won’t be easy, but God will help you.
PHOTO BY JOMARYS LEON-LORENZO
worry about doing things for Me or making
things happen. I’ve got you; just stay close,
clean, and confident.”
Close. Clean. Confident.
I call these my three Cs, and I’ve realized
that as a follower of Jesus Christ, I must
commit daily to stay close, clean, and confident
if I want to live a victorious life. You’ll
need to do that too. Here’s how you can
God wants us to come to Him. He invites
us to grab hold, climb on His lap, snuggle
close, and rest our heads on His chest.
Of course, that can be hard for some people
to imagine, especially if they’ve never
had the loving lap of a father to climb onto
or a safe place to rest their heads. They’re
afraid God will reject or hurt them like
people have done. But He won’t.
The closer you draw to the Lord, the more
strength you’ll have to keep yourself clean
and set apart for Him. In His strength, you
can move away from the polluting things of
this world and walk in integrity. Studying
His Word and walking in obedience will
keep you clean too (Psalm 119:11). The
pure in heart see God (Matthew 5:8), hear
His voice, and receive His blessings.
Finally, there is the matter of being confident
in who God is and who you are in Him.
God invites us to grab
hold, climb on His lap,
snuggle close, and rest
our heads on His chest.
You are a child of God. You are created in
His image; and God doesn’t make junk.
Learn to trust Him and refuse to be shaken
by what you see or hear.
Never forget that the God in you is greater
than the evil of this world (1 John 4:4).
He has promised to be with you and to
strengthen, help, and hold you up (Isaiah
41:10). You can walk with your head held
Your heavenly Father is calling to
high—He says so (Leviticus 26:13).
you: “Come close, My child. Don’t be
If you are in Christ, no man, no circum-
afraid.” He’s inviting you to come boldly
stance, no power of hell can defeat you
to His throne of grace where you’ll find the
(Romans 8:31–39). That’s a promise you
help you need (Hebrew 4:16).
can hang on to.
Unlike people, God won’t turn you away
or scold you or point out your failures. His
throne is one of grace, not condemnation,
hate, anger, or rebuke. The Lord offers a
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON encourages and
equips people for victory through her writings,
speaking engagements, and prison ministry. To
learn more, go to kojministries.org.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 01 / 2024
29