Accepting You and Them

ACCEPTING YOU AND THEM

​Hello friends! This blog is going to be a little different from my regular blogs. Nothing too too deep *when am I ever not deep though*. A couple days ago while taking a shower I went into deep thought about the people around me and how I think some of them perceive me. You see, when we meet people and associate with them they begin to form opinions about our character. Like say you meet someone in school and you guys become friends. Consciously and even subconsciously your minds have started forming opinions about each other.

​ Here’s my point. Whatever opinion ANYBODY you’ve EVER met has formed about you whether good or bad is NOT as important as what GOD has to say about you. People can come in very weird and hilarious forms. People that don’t know you could conclude that they don’t like you. Isn’t that something? People that have refused to understand you always find it easier to blame you for their lack of understanding. People are very loose with their mouths! I am guilty too. Can you count how many times you’ve bad mouthed someone you just met? You just assume that because of ONE thing he/shesaid, that’s who they are. 

​Now here’s what amazes me the most. How we allow people like that to affect how we see ourselves! I always say this, “know what you are capable of so when people say A or B about you, you know whether to take offence or whether you need to shut up, be quiet and ask God how to fix it”. So many of us get so worked up about what Johnny and Mindy have to say about us. Say no to people bondage! Johnny and Mindy don’t know your heart, Jesus does. Johnny and Mindy won’t judge you, Jesus will. So now whose opinion matters the most? 

​I used to be a big people pleaser. I mean, I always wanted people to be happy with me, or have good things to say about me.  But in 2016 I learnt something VERY important. You cannot control how people see you or even how they speak about you. You can try, but you will end up feeling exhausted mentally and even depressed. Let people think what they want. But ask yourself, is that me? Is that really how I am? Is that really how I wanted it to play out? Did I really set out with those intentions? Whatever those answers are, only God can give you peace. If you find out some bad things about yourself pray and ask God to help fix your heart because that’s usually where all the issues stem from. “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27 vs 19 NLT. That verse is so good. Your heart reflects who you really are. Now,some people have perfected the art of reflecting something different from what their heart is. Let’s take a moment and say a word of prayer for those people. AMEN. I could write a whole book, preach an entire sermon on fake people but that’s not relevant right now. Fake people would get what’s coming to them, one way or the other. 

​Sometimes we need to forget what other people think and focus on what WE think. Let people think what they want to think. Anita thinks you’re annoying? Bet…say less Anita! Ask yourself are you annoying? There’s a 50% chance Anita was right. Apologize to Anita FROM YOUR HEART and if Anita still thinks you are so annoying that she can’t move past it. THAT IS FINE!!! My eyes are actually WIDE open right now. I repeat, THAT IS FINE!!! Can we please let people have their opinions? Can we? Can we please let people do what’s best for them? Because Anita can’t stand you doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It doesn’t even mean Anita is a bad person. It just means Anita might have some inward questioning to do. I just wish we could all stop bickering at each other, stop constantly talking trash, stop forming full opinions based on half-truths. If you don’t know that person you have no right to make any conclusions. I’m African, very African. I have to catch myself with the things I think and say sometimes, in fact plenty times lol. If God is pleased with who you are, then baby girl and baby boy, you better walk into that room and love on people!​

​Love conquers all guys. Yes, what they said might not be the best. How they reacted when your name came up, or when your shadow went by does not matter. Know who you are. Ask God to reveal your strengths and weaknesses. Master the art of peace. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12 vs 18 NIV. Allow me to add two things:

​1. Learn to be at peace with yourself. 

2. Living at peace could also mean separation. Sometimes it’s best to love people from a distance.

It’s okay that you talk a little loud, it’s okay that you are reserved and quiet. It’s okay, YOU ARE OKAY. You’re not an alien. That’s just who you are. Whether you’re funny or you’re a no-nonsense person the people that are meant to be in your life will still love you and most of all God who created you will never stop loving you. Human beings might take a break, they can love you today and hate you tomorrow but that’s OKAY. They are PEOPLE. They aren’t perfect, they will hurt you, they will annoy you but don’t let that take you out of CHARACTER. I pray that God gives us wisdom and understanding and shows us how best to handle confrontation and difficult situations with people in Jesus Precious name. AMEN. 

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Temporary “fix”

What’s good in the neighborhood!?!?! *that sounded so ghetto* But for real what’s up friends, neighbors, acquaintances, crushes *I know you read my blog* (trying to shoot my shot while doing God’s work at the very same time *inserts moon face smiley*) Alright I’m done!!!! I want to briefly apologize for being MIA for the whole of February, I had a lot going on *The Holy Spirit says I have no excuse even though I feel like I do but okay* Tonight God has placed a topic I can completely relate to on my heart. I like writing from a place of understanding, and experience so this topic is pretty close to home. 

Temporary fix! How many things have you tried to “fix”temporarily? How many times have you tried to temporarily “fix” deep rooted issues? A classic example will be fasting from social media. Bruh, I am the Chief Executive Director of the social media fast. I could go for a month, weeks, days, in an attempt to “fix” certain issues, but then come back one week later and I’m back to struggling again. It’s a pretty exhausting cycle. Do you feel the same way with other aspects of your life? Dieting, Instagram stalking (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about), relationships, friends, shopping and I could go on forever. How many times did you succeed for two weeks straight then fall right back into the same exact ditch. 

There are millions of reasons why we Christians could be trying to temporarily “fix” our lives. 

1. You could be on a crunch for time. For instance, you need to get that promotion ASAP so, you try to make your way right with God just so you can begin to plead your case. Haha can you see how ridiculous we humans are? I bet Jesus just sits on the thrown and shakes his head when we do certain things. 

2. You could be running from addressing the main issue, refusing to see yourself for what you truly are, or just simply looking for an easy pass. 

“So you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” Luke 11 vs 39. I think sometimes we think we can finesse our way into being right with God. When I find myself doing things I promised myself and even God that I would never do I like to pause and ask myself “what is the REAL issue here?” Why do I keep coming back to ground zero? And as much as I encourage pulling away from social media, or whatever your besetting sin is, you actually need to get to a point where you have mastered the tricks of the devil. A point where you understand your stand in this Christian walk.

​The number one thing you need to understand is YOU CANNOT FIX YOURSELF. Simple and short. You can try. You can delete social media, you can block a billion people, the devil will simply test you some other way. Now, I’m in no way telling you to not take preventive measures. What I’m trying to tell you is, it’s not a one-month thing. You won’t abstain from watching porn for one month and suddenly be free from the temptation. The devil will try again and again and again. So, you need to be constantly guarded. Never for one second slipping away from the presence of God. More and more I’m beginning to see that Christianity is a LIFESTYLE. It’s not just 30 minutes of your quiet time, or 1 week of your television fast, it is every second you spend at the grocery store, it is what you said to that lady you knew you’d never see again. Every minute of your time makes your Christian walk what it is.

​Sometimes you have to remind yourself why you do the things you do. Why do you read devotionals, why do you attend choir practice, why do you even give offering? Sometime ago I found myself taking pride in my YouVersion Bible streak, I had 143 days straight of using the Bible app. So, in a little way I felt like I had my life together. Then one day I missed a day and I went back to “1”. Dear friends I was frantic, lol, I deleted the app and downloaded it again. I thought it was a glitch with the app. Right there and then the Holy spirit revealed my heart to me. I was simply counting days and forgetting my relationship with Jesus. In Philippians 3, Paul talks about how his achievement and accolades mean nothing compared to the “possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Jesus” vs 8. He speaks of “progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of recognizing and understanding him more fully and clearly.” Philippians 3 vs 8 AMPC.

​You must understand that it’s not about checking off a list. “okay so I don’t fornicate anymore… check. On to fixing the next sin”. Paul goes on to say, “And that I may {actually} be found and KNOWN as IN Him, not having any {self-achieved} righteousness that can be called my own…” Philippians 3 vs 9 AMPC. I feel like I could write a whole page on that verse alone. Let us stop trying to temporarily fix ourselves while neglecting the reason why we actually need to be fixed and the real MVP that does the fixing. Philippians 2 vs 13 AMPC says “{Not in your own strength} for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you {energizing and creating in you the power and desire}, both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Emphasis on “effectually” that is, continuously. God is continuously working on us, giving us the desire and power to do what PLEASES HIM. Get this straight, it is all for Him. Not for you to brag about or take the glory. For our righteousness is but a filthy rag. Isaiah 64 vs 6. 

​I thought this was going to be a short one. Lol. Lastly, have this at the back of your mind, only God can make you righteous. Getting righteous involves the little things, it incorporates your everyday life and most of all, it is not so you can “feel” saved. It is for God’s glory. I want you to examine your every move, why do you want what you want? Why do you so desperately need to quit that bad habit? How do you quit? How do you stay above your flesh but still be in complete submission to God? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how best to please the Father. 

God bless you all.  

Utter Confusion

Millennials What's Good?

I was just listening to Great I Am by LaRue Howard and that song is VERY POWERFUL. Initially when I wrote the title for this blog post I was leaning towards writing about how confused millennials are right now. By confused I mean the search for identity, purpose, relationships, fame, power, love and so on. Bruh the struggle is REAL! Most young people around the world are confused and have no idea where their life is going; utter confusion! So many young people are going to class every week, studying for tests and exams, turning in pages upon pages of essays and research work with no genuine understanding or motivation to why they are doing it in the first place. Now, he who has no sin let him cast the first stone. I have not pieced out the pieces of the puzzle yet so somehow, I am also confused! Yes, I said it, I am confused. I struggle with identity issues, purpose and relationships like everyone else.

I find myself questioning my purpose on earth, my relationship with people and a million other things every single day. Like what exactly am I supposed to do Jesus, am I called to live a regular life? Have a successful career, get married to the best man alive *wink*, raise two wonderful kids (maybe three) OR am I supposed to do more? If I am supposed to do more, what is this “MORE” when will I find it? When will I start working on this “MORE”, WHAT DOES “MORE” EVEN MEAN SWEET JESUS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? *takes deep breaths*

Well I am glad to announce to you that I know exactly how you can figure out what your “MORE” is. Yupppppppppp! I know where you can find your “MORE”. Come closer, keep coming, yes open this door, yup keep coming, trust me keep walking. AHA! We are finally here! Now lean in so I can whisper your “MORE” into your ears *whispers* ‘YOUR MORE IS FOUND IN THE POWER AND THE PRESENCE OF THE GREAT I AM!’

Now I know you’re a little upset and disappointed but give me a chance to explain. You see the Bible said in Jeremiah 1 vs 5 “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you…”  MSG version. Here God is speaking to Jeremiah, trying to explain to him that all his doubt and uncertainty is kinda pointless. And I want to let you know that God is saying the exact same thing to you today. First of all, before God shaped you in the womb He already knew ALL ABOUT YOU. He knew that you will be 5 foot 2, He knew that you will have a big head, He knew that you would have a bad temper, He knew that you would struggle with finding yourself, He knew that your dad was going to leave you and your family when you were only tweleve, He knew that you will make mistakes, He knew that you will get frustrated, but that didn’t stop Him from bringing you to this earth. Despite everything He knew and saw He still made plans for you. He knew that one day you will have questions. He knew that you will need Jesus so He sent Him. He knew that you will need the Holy Spirit to navigate the intricacies of this world so RELAX.

Your purpose, the right career, the right man or woman can only be found in God and that happens when you key into who He is. Until you understand His unadulterated love for you, you will keep trying to answer questions he already has answers to. So, I encourage you to rest. Rest in the power and the presence of the GREAT I AM. Your needs will be met, “‘for I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29 vs 11 NLT version. I know it looks like disaster right now, I know you are in utter confusion but will you trust you or the one who made you? For we walk by faith and not by sight. So, go dust off your Bible, repent of your sin, stop trying to do things yourself, LET GO AND LET GOD. Maybe you need to stop trying to connect and network with people and start spending more time in God’s presence. Maybe you need to lay off those self-help books and ask the Holy Spirit what’s good. Maybe you need to stop making everything about you and start working in the house of God. Maybe you need to stop being so prideful and actually confess your sin to one another and break free from that besetting sin. I don’t know what you have to do exactly but I know that you need God, so if there’s anything stopping you from uninterrupted access to Him then you need to put that thing to the side and ask him for help. I pray that God strengthens you beyond your imagination and you begin to see Him as all sufficient, all knowing and all that you need. In Jesus precious name, and the people say AMEN! *my dad said that a lot growing up lol* 

USE THE OFF BUTTON MORE

Happy New Year guys. I know it’s been almost two weeks into the year and like most people I’m still trying to find my “funk”. Anyway, moving on! I decided last year that I would be more diligent and intentional about my blog by posting at least twice a month. I chose the second and last Friday of the month. By God’s grace I will be able to hold up to my end of the deal! While thinking of what to write about as usual I asked the Holy Spirit to lay something on my heart and He did. While sitting and thinking I heard a voice in my head say, “use the of button more”. So, at this point I’m wondering okay that was vague but then I thought about it and I begin to understand what the Holy Spirit meant. (FYI I’m gradually learning to stop saying stuff like “a voice in my head” “something told me”, that something and small voice is the Holy Spirit and I need to acknowledge that.)

Life can get really loud sometimes guys. I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like my head is buzzing with loads of information and I can feel the stress of trying to make sense of it all. The WhatsApp group chats, the hilarious conversations, sending memes back and forth. We are a very busy generation but in all of this busyness are we yielding fruit? What are the benefits of these back to back, day to day, morning to midnight conversations? Are they helping you grow? Not just in Christ but in life as a whole. I must say I am completely guilty of this. At times, I’m having at least five conversations all at once, juggling between Instagram, SnapChat, Imessage, Facebook, sending memes, responding to memes sent, I bet reading this is giving you a slight headache! And then I wonder why I’m so tired! I didn’t do any physical strenuous activity, I certainly wasn’t lifting blocks or harvesting yams, all I did was sit and press my phone.

What are you giving your time to? No really, ask yourself, what exactly am I doing with my 24hours? Chatting away? Laughing away on Instagram? Listen, it is okay to turn off your phone sometimes. If you are expecting important calls leave your phone on but delete these apps that won’t let you have peace and watch how restless you will get! Just you and the YouVersion Bible app. We are so engaged that we don’t see how unnecessary most of the things we watch or listen to are. Get quiet and let the Holy Spirit whisper sweet somethings to you. I used to say I could talk to the Holy Spirit every second of the day, while I brush my teeth, while I’m on the train, walking home, or just sitting, but I have come to realize that it is not enough. It really isn’t guys. This world is literally fighting for your attention every second of the day through ads, tv series, movies, funny skits on Instagram, the devil didn’t come to play!

Some of us are neglecting important responsibilities and even friends all because we are too busy on our Instagram explore page. We are procrastinating, not giving enough thought to visions and dreams God placed on our hearts because we are too focused on what someone else is doing with their own vision, trying to make it look like theirs. And the Holy Spirit is just sitting on the inside of you saying, “if only you would speak to me and ask for my direction you would understand that there’s nothing good outside of me”. So, I encourage you to turn your phone off, turn off the music, turn down the radio or TV, bring out your physical Bible and talk to the Lord and watch Him talk back to you. I have so much to say but I would stop here.

PRAYER POINT: Sweet Holy Spirit forgive me for ignoring your voice, teach me to sit quietly and listen to you speak for your word is a lamp unto my feet. Help me hunger and thirst for you more than I do for social media or attention or physical things. For in Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.