I’m not sure why we do it but we’ve all been guilty of limiting ourselves at one time or another. For some odd reason, we count ourselves out, question our abilities, and deny our gifts based on what others have said about us or what we believe about ourselves; completely overlooking what God say’s and His vision and purpose for our lives.
“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16, NKJV)
Everything we need is in us. His power dwells in us and when we stop denying our gifts and limiting ourselves we can do great things to impact our families and communities, drawing them to Him.
So in those moments when feelings of doubt or insecurities arise, recall what He says about you and remember that you are not alone. Your Heavenly Father is always with you!
I was able to share my thoughts on just how important it is to recognize our gifts, where they come from, and all that lies within us last week on 93.9 WKYS during their DMV in Real Life segment. Check it out here
For such a time as this…
After chatting with a friend earlier this week about Queen Esther I was inclined to spend time revisiting the book of Esther last night and I’m so glad I did! Queen Esther was such an amazing woman, she had brains and beauty but more importantly the heart of a woman who wanted to please God.
As a Jewish woman and the Queen of Persia, she was in a difficult situation having learned that her people would be killed. On top of that, her cousin/father figure Mordecai laid it on super thick implying that her destiny was to save them. Check out Esther 4:13-14 where Mordecai basically says to Queen Esther, “Oh, you can’t just sit back and watch all that’s going on and think that you’ll be saved. Whether you speak up or not, God’s will is going to be done. Could this be your calling? Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Wow! Can you imagine the thoughts that must have gone through her mind when Mordecai suggested that she save her people by going to the king, which was forbidden? I’m referring to those initial thoughts before we respond. I mean, even as a woman of God, I can certainly attest to those initial thoughts that aren’t always ‘Yes, God – Your will and not mine.’ I don’t know Queen Esther’s initial thoughts but her response in Esther 4:16 served as a reminder of the protocol: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king.”
As much as Queen Esther loved and respected Mordecai, she knew that before taking on such a task she needed to spend time with God and requested that those close to her do the same.
We have to be willing to do just what Esther did when faced with such a call on our lives which is to seek God by spending time with him and asking others to fast and pray with us as we await further guidance.
We’re approaching the end of the first quarter of the year. Where do you stand? Before you answer that, stop and think about all that you’ve accomplished. I know, you’d rather think about what you said you would do and didn’t or all that lies ahead but please resist. No accomplishment is too small. Where did you make progress? What steps did you take to accomplish your goals? How much more time have you made for family? Where did you use your gifts to serve? What obstacles did you overcome? Have you matured in an area of your life? Did you make better decisions regarding your finances? And more importantly where did God show up? Think about it. Instead of lamenting over the work that still needs to be done, take a few moments to ‘Celebrate Your Wins’ if I may quote my sisters over at DIVAS, MPH.
Far too often we neglect the opportunity to be grateful for the little things and in most cases, it’s the small wins that propel us in the future. The smallest changes typically have the most lasting impact and drastically affect our families, networks, and perspectives. We want more and I get it but let’s recall Jonah’s ungrateful tendencies and where it got him. Instead of Jonah being grateful for God’s message, he was frustrated because he had his own plan and thoughts on how things should have progressed. God showed mercy over and over again as well as discipline/correction. Let’s not end up tossed in the sea or out in the beating sun because we’ve neglected to simply be grateful. (Jonah 4:5-11)
So today, take a few moments to celebrate. Be grateful for what God has shown you and the leaps you’ve made in the first quarter. Then, get back to work! Reassess the goals you’ve set, check your motives, and if you need a boost, check out Reset!