Allow me to reintroduce myself…….my name is Prophetess LaToya Déshawn Smith the first of her name, the peacemaker, the remnant, the hybrid, the breaker of chains, and the winner of souls. HA! Clearly I am a Game of Thrones fan. I want to apologize for my extended absence. Honestly, I am still processing the impact of my ordination and the instructions rendered.
Let’s rewind the clock for a just a bit, aye? I would love to share how I met the Prince of Peace in the most unorthodox way. Back in November I took a trip to Lima, Peru with some amazing people. Some I knew and others I met for the first time. We all came from different parts of the country to celebrate the 30thbirthday of a wonderful mutual friend.
I had the opportunity to experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The infamous Machu Picchu an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains, above the Urubamba River Valley. Built in the 15thcentury and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls and intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views.
This was the first time I had ever climbed a mountain. The climb was a bit rigorous but the view was well worth it. It took a little over an hour to reach the top of Machu Picchu. Like every tourist that reaches the top they want to be photographed with the sacred city slightly beneath them. Emotions overtook me while waiting in line to capture the once in a lifetime photo. As the wind blew I began to hear a whisper, “He can move mountains, He can cause walls to fall, With His power perform miracles.”
At that moment I felt compelled to raise my hand in complete surrender. I had no idea a friend would catch a still picture of me simply giving God, His breath back. I have heard, “God moving mountains” my entire life. Never, have I taken the time to absorb the magnificence of the words until now. It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to move a mountain. We have found ways over time to build within and around mountains but NEVER move them.
Winds of peace suffocated me. I was already quote on quote happy; did I really lack peace? As our group trekked on, the panoramic views were humbling. With every turn there seemed to be another mountain. There were moments I had to gather myself because never in my life have I been surrounded by such power and grace. Even nature bows down to my God. I know you are thinking that I may be a tad bit over spiritual or even reaching. However, I am facing challenges that are both impossible and difficult.
As the winds of peace continued to blow, I began to recognize that I was having an encounter with divinity. The Prince of Peace met me at the top of a mountain, in the middle of a silent turmoil, and at the end of a fantastic trip. His presence was felt but never seen. While, being taught the history of another religious culture, the One, True and Living God interrupted.
As I slowly and quietly walked the path down the Machu Picchu Mountain, weights began to fall off of me. Things I had been carrying were left in a far away land. Generational curses no longer lingered. What had once been troubling me lost its fight to the Prince of Peace. I started to denounce what was keeping me bound. For I knew it wasn’t returning with me to the states. My spirit will no longer wrestle with what the Prince of Peace blew away.
Like a new creature another version of me met a different characteristic of God. I was just recently introduced to The Passion Translation of the Bible. It is quite remarkable how the words effortlessly explains what has been penned centuries ago. Philippians 4:7 TPT reads, “Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.”
I pray whatever you are going through you too encounter the Prince of Peace in a magnificent way. He can heal areas you didn’t even now existed and wipe away the residue to what you shamefully hold onto. I encourage you to let go and simply let God. This peace is so worth climbing for.
Love Always,
LaToya Déshawn
