Now, It’s Your Turn.

Comparison is the thief of joy. If I had to make a list of things I’ve learned this year, this is written as number one, in all caps, bold letters, and underlined repeatedly.

God gave you your vision, your testimony, and your dreams for a reason. However, after a few detours in my spiritual journey, I didn’t know how to react to mine. So, my own thoughts of fear started to control me.

“I don’t know how to start.” “I don’t have any connections.” “This is too much for me to handle.” “How am I equipped for this?” “Where would I get the money?”

As a result, my own fear forced me into a place of complacency and comfortability. Then, this fear turned into 6 months of procrastination, laziness, self-doubt, and a constant comparison to other people’s success. This downwards spiral left me feeling stuck with no real motivation. However, I knew that something had to change because life is too short, and, at this point, I was only existing but not truly living the life God has called me to.

But, how could I even start to develop my passions again? What did I need?

You may not know where God is taking you, why he gave you this dream, what your purpose is, but God has the answer to those questions. Ask Him for guidance to stay in His will for your life and the patience to receive the things he has planned for you. Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22).

So, to start this new journey, in the last month of the year, I decided I needed to reactive my faith.

I needed to stop feeding into my insecurities and remove the limitations I placed on myself, for nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37).

…

There’s a well-known analogy between God and the purpose of a GPS system that helped me move forward into accepting a new journey. I’m not sure where I first heard it from, but here is my own personal interpretation:

One afternoon, I was driving alone trying to get home from downtown Atlanta. Suddenly, in the middle of the street, Google Maps started to reroute only to take me around in a circle and end up exactly where I was before.  Now frustrated, I had to pull over and switch to another navigation system. I typed in my address trusting it would get me home. Then, I stopped at a red light, but it seemed like I was there forever. I waited for my turn to go and watched other cars pass in front of me, but my light still didn’t change. Eventually, I made it to the highway, but I was so aggravated along the way. The roads had so many potholes and detours, but despite my journey, I knew the GPS had to get me home.

Now, take a look at where you are in your journey. Are you keeping your faith in God to believe that He will lead you to wherever your heart desires?

Coming to a standstill in your journey doesn’t mean that it won’t be complete. When the GPS started to reroute, I was so annoyed because it happened out of nowhere. I thought getting to the highway would have been simple.

Do you have this same mindset in your life?

When we plan our journeys, I think we tend to leave out the road blocks and detours. We fall short, and end up going back in circles, such as falling into some old habits or reconnecting with the wrong person. Maybe God is telling you that the plans you have to reach your dreams or goals are not the plans of His. Maybe you needed to reroute this year to stay in His will. Maybe the failures, broken relationships, or betrayals, led you exactly where God wanted you be.

When I was at the red light watching other cars pass in front of me, it was just like seeing people accomplishing their goals, getting new jobs, and finding love, but I’m sitting here. Only watching.

What I didn’t mention was that I ran the red light. (Sorry Mom). I waited for something to happen, but I just knew I couldn’t be stuck there forever.

If you feel stuck or complacent, maybe it’s time for you to start running. Sometimes we can’t just wait on God and hope something happens. We also have to take that leap of faith that will get us closer to our goals. You may feel anxious and uncomfortable, but would you rather sit and watch other people accomplish their dreams or focus on your own? Now, it’s your turn to go. Don’t wait on people’s validation. Start writing that first chapter. Create that website. Submit that application. Audition for that role.

. . .

I encourage you to close 2018 believing that it’s already done. It’s already approved. It’s already accepted. Push all fear behind you to step out on faith. Challenges come, you may have to reroute, but God is with you through it all. I pray that the complacency you feel is stripped away and you gain the #Godfidence to step into everything he has called you to be. Be strong and of good courage do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV).

In 2019, It’s your turn.

With Love,

E.