This podcast episode, hosted by Najwa, a speaker deeply rooted in Christian faith, begins with a heartfelt prayer invoking the Holy Spirit and expressing gratitude for God’s presence and transformative power. The prayer emphasizes the joy of knowing God, the peace and love His Spirit brings, and the importance of sharing testimonies of His work in impossible situations. Najwa leads the group in reciting the Lord’s Prayer, setting a tone of reverence and communal worship.
The episode then delves into the historical significance of the Feast of Helen and Constantine, celebrated on the day of the recording (May 26, 2025, though the feast is traditionally May 21). Najwa recounts the story of Saint Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, who rose from humble origins as a barmaid to influence her son’s reign. Constantine, after receiving a divine vision of a cross with the message “By this sign you shall conquer,” won the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, becoming the first Christian Roman Emperor. Helen’s journey to the Holy Land around 325 AD led to the discovery of the True Cross, a pivotal moment in Christian history. Najwa describes how Helen, guided by signs like blooming basil plants and the scent of perfume, excavated the site, confirmed the cross’s authenticity through a miracle (reviving a dead man), and built churches like the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity. These historical accounts are interwoven with reflections on God’s sovereignty in appointing leaders, as seen in biblical examples like Pharaoh, Cyrus the Great, and Constantine, emphasizing that God’s plans for nations and individuals are divine and unquestionable.
The core message of the episode centers on Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Drawing from Oswald Chambers’ devotional, Najwa challenges the human tendency to prioritize material concerns (food, clothing, money) over spiritual ones. Jesus, she argues, reverses this order, urging believers to make their relationship with God the “dominating concentration” of their lives. Najwa shares personal anecdotes to illustrate this principle, such as God providing milk and olives for a teaching session, a dress for a wedding, and guidance during daily decisions, like choosing between attending church or keeping a scheduled appointment. These stories underscore the peace and assurance that come from trusting God to provide, even in small matters, and the importance of seeking His guidance in every decision.
The episode also explores the spiritual inheritance believers receive through Christ, as explained in Ephesians 1:3-14. Najwa highlights Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, written from prison, which describes believers as chosen before the foundation of the world, sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their heavenly inheritance. This “seal” assures eternal life, offering hope and the power of Christ’s resurrection within each believer. Najwa reflects on her own journey of illumination, where the Holy Spirit’s presence became real through signs like doves, transforming her understanding of faith from mere knowledge to a living relationship with God.
A powerful metaphor emerges through Najwa’s story of preparing lupini beans, which are naturally bitter and require soaking to remove their bitterness. While angrily cleaning the beans, Najwa hears God’s voice, explaining that just as water removes the beans’ bitterness, the Word of God washes away human bitterness, anger, and anxiety. Fellowship with other Christians, described as the “salt of the earth,” preserves this spiritual cleansing, reinforcing the importance of community in maintaining faith.
The episode concludes with a call to claim this divine inheritance by seeking God first in all things, trusting His provision, and growing in the knowledge of Him. Najwa encourages listeners to make God the central focus of their lives, sharing how this shift has brought her peace, wisdom, and the ability to love even the unlovable. She emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, as a transformative force within believers, capable of moving mountains if faith is present. The session ends with a reminder of the importance of fellowship, as the group shares snacks and reflects on the teachings, reinforcing the communal aspect of their faith journey.
Key Themes:
- Seeking God First: Prioritizing a relationship with God over material concerns, trusting Him to provide for all needs.
- Historical Faith: The story of Helen and Constantine illustrates God’s sovereignty in history and the enduring impact of the True Cross.
- Divine Provision: Personal testimonies highlight God’s faithfulness in meeting both small and significant needs.
- Spiritual Inheritance: Ephesians 1 underscores the believer’s guaranteed eternal life through the Holy Spirit’s seal.
- Transformative Faith: Najwa’s journey of illumination and the lupini bean metaphor emphasize the cleansing power of God’s Word and the sustaining role of Christian fellowship.