Hey beloved!
Welcome back to this week’s 🌿 Rooted & Rising! If you’ve ever called yourself a “rebel for Jesus,” felt like you’re constantly fighting against circumstances, or realized you’ve been operating from a place of powerlessness instead of authority- this one’s for you.
This is our FINAL issue of 2025, and what better way to close out the year than by examining what we’ve been carrying that we were never meant to hold?
But before we go any further…
🥭 A Spiritual Snack🥭
"Put all your rebellion behind you and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!"
Don’t Feel Like Reading? Watch This Week’s Theme Here ▶️
Where I Got Checked ✅
A few weeks ago, I was at a faith-based event bonding with someone over our shared rebellious pasts. We were talking about how we used to rebel against everything- authority, expectations, the system- and now that we’re believers, we’re “rebels for Christ.” Rebelling agains the enemy. Rebelling against the world system.
That felt so good. So righteous. So #holy. Until Holy Spirt CHECKED me.
A few days later during devotion, He knocked me straight on my face with Ezekiel 18.
I was reading through the chapter thinking, “everyone’s responsible for their own sins, cute- got it, yes Lord, thank you for that reminder” and then I got to verse 31.
“Put all your rebellion behind you.”
My mouth dropped open.
My pearls were clutched.
I couldn’t help but think about how God was right there when I was having that conversation at that holiday gathering hearing how we were rebellious AGAINST the ENEMY?! We don’t like Satan right? Isn’t that the church’s whole thing?
And I heard the Holy Spirit say clear as day: "I didn’t ask you to rebel against the enemy. I asked you to be obedient to Me.”
my pearls were clutched…AGAIN.
I tried to push back (very on brand for me). I brought up Jesus confronting the Pharisees- wasn’t that rebellion?
And He said: “I was standing in truth. When you speak truth to liars, it LOOKS like rebellion. But I wasn’t actively rebelling- I was operating in authority.”
So naturally, me and Sister Merriam Webster D. (an honorary member of my congregation) did some research.
Rebellion: Opposition to one in authority or dominance. An instance of defiance or resistance.
And here’s where my whole world flipped upside down faster than the Fresh Prince’s:
If God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit (aka the Holy Trinity) are in dominance in our lives, and the enemy is NOT the dominant one, then we’re not meant to be rebelling against the enemy.
Because when we are in Jesus Christ, we are already in a position of authority.
Think about it- does the mayor rebel agains the people? Does the CEO rebel against employees? No. They’re in AUTHORITY. They dictate what happens.
Powerless people rebel. People who don’t have authority lash out, fight back, try to shake the table to make change.
But you? Hidden with Christ in God?
You are NOT powerless.
You have the authority to speak life, speak things that are not as if they were, believe in things you can’t see. You have the power to speak it into existence, to bring it into fruition in the spirit realm, in the name of Jesus by the will of God.
At the beginning of this year when I resigned and started full-time entrepreneurship, I was trying to do it MY way. My systems. My operations. My Notion templates. My plans, without consulting the CEO who gave me the assignment: God.
It wasn’t until I stopped rebelling against His daily direction that things started turning around. Clients showed up. Retainers appeared. Opportunities I couldn’t have dreamed up materialized.
All because I stopped rebelling and started operating in obedience and authority.
The Breakdown: Stop Rebelling, Start Operating in Authority🤏🏾
Here’s what I’m learning as we close out 2025:
Rebellion puts you in a lower position than where you actually are in Christ.
When you’re “rebelling against the enemy,” you’re unconsciously positing him as the authority figure you’re fighting against. But that’s not true.
The TRUTH is: you’re seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). You’re ABOVE the enemy, not below him fighting your way up.
The Bible says the power of life and death is in the tongue. Not in a sanctified tongue. Not in a righteous tongue. Not in a tongue that goes to church every Sunday. In THE tongue.
Why are our words agnostic? Because the same breath God used to speak this earth into existence is the same breath inside of you regardless of what you decide to do with it.
So when you’re speaking death over your situation - “This is never going to work,” “I’m always struggling,” “Girl I’m broke” “Nothing ever goes right for me”- you’re literally turning them into a realer boy than Pinocchio.
Our words carry weight! Instead of using them to rebel, wield them with authority to change your situation.
You’re not rebelling against poverty- you’re declaring provision.
You’re not rebelling against fear - you’re choosing to walk by faith
You’re not rebelling agains the enemy’s lies - you’re speaking truth that he has to accept.
Not gonna lie, this was a TOUGH pill for me to swallow but once I sat with myself and really asked: “Am I operating from a place of rebellion (powerlessness) or from a place of authority (my position in Christ)?”
It became clear that in 2026 I need to operate from THAT place.
This Week’s Challenge 👀
As we close out 2025, let’s do what Ezekiel 18:31 says:
“Put all your rebellion behind you and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.”
Here’s your challenge:
Step 1: Identify one area where you’ve been rebelling instead of operating in authority
Maybe you’ve been:
Rebelling against slow growth instead of trusting God’s timing
Rebelling in fear instead of walking in the authority you already have
Rebelling against God’s daily direction by doing things your way
Step 2: Confess it and release it
Write it down. Then literally write: “I PUT THIS REBELLION BEHIND ME. In 2026, I will operate in the authority God gave me as His child.
Step 3: Step into your authority
Every time you’re tempted to “rebel” this week, pause and ask: “What would someone operating in God’s authority do right now?”
Then do that.
Notice how this changes not just your actions, but your entire posture. You’re not fighting from the bottom anymore. You’re speaking from the position God already gave you.
Monday Move 💃🏾
Pop on this playlist, take a moment to breathe, and close out 2025 with a reminder that you’re entering 2026 from a place of AUTHORITY, not rebellion.
Your playlist:
The TLDR: Powerless people rebel. But you are NOT powerless if you’re hidden with Christ in God. Stop rebelling against the enemy and start operating in the authority God already gave you. Your words have power. Your position in Christ is ABOVE the enemy. Walk like it. Speak like it. LIVE like it in 2026.
Closing Out 2025 🕊️
As we close out the year, I want you to sit with this:
“Why should you die? Turn back and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)
God is asking you the same question He asked Israel: Why are you choosing to operate in rebellion (powerlessness, fear fighting from the bottom) when I’ve already positioned you to LIVE in authority?
2026 is your year to LIVE. Not survive. Not rebel. Not fight from a place of lack.
LIVE in the authority God gave you.
LIVE in the identity of someone hidden with Christ.
LIVE like you believe the power of life and death is in your tongue.
Put your rebellion behind you. Pick up your authority. Let’s go into 2026 operating like the royal priesthood we are.
Let’s Start 2026 Right: Royal Authority Surrender Session
If you’re in New York (or willing to travel) and you’re ready to surrender your rebellion and step into your God-given authority, join Royal Authority for our first Surrender Session of 2026.
When: January 15 @ 6 PM
Where: Harlem NYC (Ominara Art Tea & Gallery)
What: A night of worship, prayer, and seeking God’s face for the first quarter of 2026. Bring your journal. We’re asking God: “What do You have in store for my year? What do You see for me in 2026? What do You want for my year, God?”
Space is limited because we want to keep this intimate. This is your chance to surrender everything that is not His will and step into 2026 with clarity and authority.
Register here!
Let’s Work Together! 🕊️
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Forward this to someone who needs permission to stop rebelling and start operating in their God-given authority!✨
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Stay rooted in who you are. Keep rising in your calling!
Here for the journey with you ✨,
