Your WANT verses His WILL

INDEPENDENCE
Growing up in my "young adult" years I never felt a need to consult anyone or seek counsel regarding my actions, decisions, or choices. I did whatever I wanted to do, went wherever I wanted to go, and became whatever my career choice was at that moment because I was raised to be "independent." But, does being independent mean not seeking advice? I did as my own little (selfish) heart desired. If wanted to travel someplace, I went. If I wanted to buy something, I bought. If I wanted to date someone, I endeavored. Only to end up suffering from debt, deliquence, and discouragement in relationships, finances, and career choices. Never did I consult or concede to someone else's opinion about my own actions, at least most of the time. I figured, "It's my choice so I'd bare my consequence, good or bad." I did as pleased, I lived as I desired, and sometimes suffered in silence and embarrassment because of poor choices and NO or unGodly counsel. Little did I know how foolish that was; thank God for His grace that transcended my foolish heart, time which heals all wounds, and covenant connections to help me along the way.

CONSULTING
There's a growing trend in the marketplace called "consulting." People are hiring personal coaches to consult them in their life choices, companies hire and pay big bucks to agencies to advise their decisions for a better financial future and to grow their company. Ironically, as I study the bible there are also many examples of "consulting" in the Word of God. Moses sought the counsel of the Lord, and even his father in law (at times) to better help govern the people, David and other kings consulted the prophets, like Nathan before big decisions were made and even afterward in order to determine the likely outcome of their choice. And, even Paul consulted Silas while on their missionary journeys to help with congregations in various regions in those days. So, if big, successful businesses find it necessary to seek counsel for future growth, and the forefathers sought counsel through partnerships, what's happened in the minds of some Christians along the way?

ACCEPTANCE AND YIELDING
Most of us leave God out of our plans, our dreams, our intentions, and our hearts. We leave God out of our relationships, our families, our workplace, and our finances. Is it because we are used to being "independent?" Does independent really mean a lack of dependency on God, the one who CREATED you? Are you not willing to do what He tells you to or accept His "no" if that's His choice and will for your life? Are we all control freaks and like to have our own "board of directors" which consists of three people (me, myself, and I)? Or, is it really a more deeper issue than that? Are we more motivated and driven by our own "internal wants," moreso than God's "eternal will?" These are all questions I posed to myself in the midst of suffering a test and trial recently.

THE CHALLENGE
Not long ago, I was faced an opportunity to have something I really WANTED and felt God had blessed me superabundantly. In the end, when it didn't manifest and I was left empty handed and brokenhearted I was left questioning my faith, my internal beliefs, and even my deepest desires. Was MY want greater than God's WILL? Was my life really about pleasing God no matter what it cost, what it took (away), or was I "happy" with God only when I obtained my "wants?" This kind of questioning is transparent and UNCOMFORTABLE, but I was willing to face it.

SURRENDERING
Oftentimes, Christians want the blessing but not the heart of the blessor. The heart of God transcends your wants and desires. Make no mistake, God will take care of your needs, for His word says, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken, nor my seed begging for bread" but, His will for your life is for you to complete your PURPOSE on earth which may have NOTHING to do with what you desire. "Meeting your purpose" sometimes interupts your plans, your dreams, your hopes, your intentions, and yes...your WANTS! God is sovereign, make no mistake. I'm learning this the hard way. This is definitely not an easy pill to swallow. I'm sure Jesus' "desire" was NOT to have to drink the cup of sin, be brutally beaten, and then suffer the cross. Think about it, would you be like, "Sure God...I'll do it!" In spite of what He would have to face, suffer, and endure, Jesus responded, "Nevertheless, Lord, YOUR WILL be done." He said my "want" may not fulfill your WILL. Wow, I aspire to be more like Jesus but oh, such suffering.

UNPOPULAR CHOICES
You see, serving God is a CHOICE for me which has had some GREAT satisfaction over the years, but also some severe and astounishing suffering. Alot of people, preachers, and pastors are motivated to preach about the glory and SATISFACTION of salvation but stray away from the subject of suffering. It doesn't set the scene for a good shouting session, it's not popular to preach, and it may not fill pews.

I don't serve God out of tradition, habit, nor ritual, or even to get a handout; I do it out of LOVE. And, sometimes love hurts! But, those whom God loves He chastens (hurts) in order that they be MATURED in their faith and in their walk. Think about it, what can an infant teach a master? Would you want someone to minister to you who's never personally experienced anything themselves? Who better can help heal hurt, pain, addiction, brokeness, lack, or suffering than someone who's walked through that valley? People who say "I know how you feel" who has never experienced it are liars, point blank! So, I'm telling God...love me until it hurts so I can be made WHOLE.

Kingdom minded people know that serving God is sometimes uncomfortable, unconventional, unpopular, and inconvenient but they do it anyhow (out of love). The benefits of love far outway the present circumstance of a painful situation.

I was inspired to write this after reading the Book of Ecclesiastes..."everything is futile, vain, and chasing after the wind" is what Solomon said. The wisest, richest, most innovative King that ever lived summed up life saying, "Nothing you do, except for what you do for God matters." (paraphrased).

Deal with it!

Life can deal you a "terrible blow" at times but success is based upon how you "DEAL WITH IT." We make plans and plans seemingly fail. We chose love but sometimes face heartbreak. We have dreams but reality and nightmares smack us in the face, why? Why does life seemingly play games with our emotions, our intellect, and even our very existence? I'll tell you why. Because, we are CONTENDING FOR OUR FAITH!

Without faith it's impossible to please God (Heb11:6). Heck, without hope what's the use of living? Without hope we become oppressed by the systemic, oppressive flow of a "barely making it" type of life instead of living an overcoming, super-excited, more abundant type of life God intended for us. Without hope the people perish(Prov29:18)! Without hope what else is there? Hope beyond hope is what Abraham (Rom4:18) did. He hoped beyond what the situation seemed like on the surface. He hoped even when the promise was perveted by hasty judgment. He hoped even when it was a sacrifice (his son Isaac). Inspire yourself to hope no matter what HELL you may be faced with. Look HELL square in the face and say, "Not today, hope is on the way!"

Hope and faith are the same. They are both invisible, inherent, and intentional. If you don't have hope, you may as well wave your finger at God's ability for possibility. Without hope why go on living? A life without hope (and faith) is a mundane and misguided kind of life. Wandering, worrying, and complaining about the vicissitudes of life or the hand you've been dealt will get you nowhere at the card game of life (except maybe BUSTED). So, put your game face on and play your best hand knowing God has equipped you with the attitude, drive, and determination to WIN! Remember, read the end of the story (Revelation)...In the end, WE WIN!

I'm preaching to myself this morning when I write, "Instead of getting busted, get RICH!" A life filled with hope and faith lead to a life filled with better possibilities and a "rich", abundant type of life."

I felt inspired to write this blog after facing a very tough trial in my personal life. Weirdly, I was inspired to write again after watching a movie titled, "Legion" a story about hope in the midst of a hellish and dark world. After many months of nonblogging, I've decided to reignite my creative energies and change pain into gain by putting fingertips to keypad, ascribing feelings in an invisible world called "the internet." Be blessed!

F.E.A.R. Redefined - For the Smart (click here to post)

False Evidence Appearing Real is the opposite of FAITH; so let's redefine its meaning:

F-Forgive and forget things of the past. It's impossible to fully embrace an awesome future if your heart is full of ill feelings toward people or situations which hurt or disappointed you in the past. It's also difficult to embrace the dream before you if you are stuck in the nightmare of a past which has left you disappointed and broken. Put the pieces of your life together, walk away from things that held you back, and wake up to a new dawn on the horizon!

E-Embrace the dream you'd once forgotten. Pull out your old notebooks, your old vision/dream boards, and your old journals and get to work. Start devoting time AGAIN to the thing that keeps whispering to your heart. Maybe it's rekindling a forgotten relationship or friendship. Maybe it's pursuing that small at home business. Maybe it's writing or publishing a written work you started years ago. Whatever IT is, begin again to dream again.

A-Allow yourself to believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. Sometimes we negate our potential because of how we perceive our past. Past perceived failures are just that, "perceptions." Change how you see the things that beset you. Failure is how YOU perceive it. I view my failures as opportunities to begin again! You haven't truly failed unless you quit!

R-Realize the time. There is a season and a time for everything. Carpe Diem! Seize the Day! Seize the Moment! Don't procrastinate and don't be LAZY! If tomorrow's not promised to any man, how would you like your tomorrow to look? Will it resemble a chaotic existence of deadlines and timelines not met with failed opportunities to pour into someone else's life? Remember to BE the person you desire to become. Each day is another opportunity to make a "real" difference. Life is about service, who did you serve today?

Redefine the meaning of F.E.A.R. and let nothing hold you back from being a better, more productive, and more significant YOU.

"God did not give us the spirit of fear but of love, power, and of a sound mind."

Are you a Keeper or a Throwback? click here for full post

It's both Smart & Sexy to - SAVE THE "COOKIE"!!!

Proverbs 31 stresses the importance of a woman being "virtuous". A man should be proud of us and speak about our honorable works, our resourcefulness, and our personal integrity. Although Steve Harvey has put a wonderfully funny spin on this whole subject in his new book "Act Like A Woman, Think Like A Man", the principle remains the same.

Women are beautiful, precious gifts from God. And although the bible refers to us as the "weaker" vessel, by now we all should know that "weaker" actually means more delicate and precious, like fine china. China is a material which needs to be PROTECTED and SAFEGUARDED against damage. It has to be HANDLED PROPERLY and stored in the right manner. You wouldn't just toss your most expensive set of platinum china in the dishwasher and think it will not break or damage, would you? So, why do women throw their hearts AND their bodies to men who just don't understand their true worth or value? Why do women "cast their pearls to swine" in hopes to gain their love or approval? I'm not really calling men swine, I love our God-given, heads of the family. But the question is why are the cookies so available to the "cookie monsters"?

By the way, today I was googling more meanings of my name (derived from Sharifa) and I found out that my name actually means "virtuous" and "honor". With that said, I encourage all women today to begin to HONOR themselves as the virtuous women of God that He has called us to be. We are PRECIOUS COMMODITIES much like that fine china! Not a throwback fish in murky waters.........