It’s now “2018,” and it’s a year filled with new beginnings, new opportunities, hopes, dreams and more importantly a fresh start of a new chapter of your life. Have you started building new strategies for financial freedom, a healthier lifestyle, wholeness and an alignment with your Creator? Pastor TD Jakes said, “The best miracles in your life take time to not be driven by hunger or need or necessity. Sometimes you’ve got to get yourself structured and in order so that you’re ready to receive the magnitude of what God has for you.” God has given every one of us gifts, talents and a seed that has been planted inside of us by God. There is an ability to flourish and do things you’ve never thought you could do before. Genuinely seek our Creator, stay humble, meditate on His Word, show gratefulness, and appreciate the things that make you best at being YOU. Through these experiences, you can find clarity, fruitfulness, and discernment, which can have a tremendous impact that will fertilize more seeds to grow, enabling you to birth outstanding opportunities in your life!
Although it’s a new year, life, trials, and tribulations will continue to happen, and we will have challenging moments. But, we must put our trust in God, even in the times of difficult circumstances. For me, it has been a bumpy start. As I began diving into this new journey trying to focus and spend more time with God and visualize how to take things to a new level, I received a phone call that shook me a little, and what began to manifest was self-doubt, anxiety, and worries. However, I must continue to believe in myself and know without a shadow of a doubt that God wants the very best for me; my steps are ordered by the Lord. Have you endured some challenging moments, already this year? Often, when we decide to take a new journey, spiritual beginning, or when we’re most vulnerable, the enemy will start to prowl with his satanic attacks along with lies of deception to stop us in our tracks. However, 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
With this in mind, we need to tap into the overflow and the abundance Jesus has for us. When self-doubt starts to come, we must remind ourselves that we’re God’s special possession, a royal priesthood and our steps are ordered by the Lord. And, if you’re thinking you must travel this journey alone and rely on your own strength, then you have been deceived by the enemy. We cannot do anything without the help of God. I have learned that you will never know what you can do or what you can be until you learn how to go all in with God and make Him a part of every decision you make. Genesis 12:2 (NIV) says, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” Wow! If God told Abraham that He would make his name famous, then why don’t we believe that our names can be as famous as Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah had a vision, plan and gave herself permission to live in the overflow. She was born into poverty and wore dresses made of potato sacks, but one thing is for sure, she is evidence that one can change their way of thinking and not take on the identity of one’s situation in life to determine who they are and whom they can be. Oprah didn’t allow her mind to get stuck in a poverty mentality; she knew that she wanted more than life was offering her. And now she is one of the richest African-Americans and North America’s first African-American multi-billionaire. I still can’t wrap my head around the word “billionaire.” What is it that’s trapped and burning inside of you trying to get out and flourish?
We can no longer keep our burning passions locked away. A part of your dream and passion may be the answer to someone else’s prayers. God uses us for his Glory, and there may be someone needing your services. For me, there was a time when I felt as if I was going to lose my mind because I didn’t know what my destiny was. As I started to take notice of what I was passionate about, I began to flourish. All I did was serve others, and that’s all it took for me. I promise it was that simple. As I started opening my heart to serve others, God started revealing more and more opportunities for me. God is amazing! I started researching on the internet, going to the library, taking college courses to feed what was being birthed from within. Honestly, I had no idea that I would be blogging, especially since I didn’t like to journal. Sometimes the things we don’t do are the very things God wants to use. Besides, He knows what’s best for us and what He has put in us to use for His glory. He will also connect you with the right people to help you along the way. There’s always another level when your current level is complete. I may not be Oprah, but I will be the best version of me I can be. Whenever you have the drive to intentionally be humble and seek the face of God by worshipping Him, you will purposely make the decision to never settle for less than what God has promised you!