I’ve learned that purpose doesn’t always come easily, and it doesn’t mean that things will simply fall into place. Sometimes you have to exercise your faith.
When you are called into purpose, you can either jump ship or stay on board. You can choose to fight the waves or go with the flow. You can pursue your heart’s desires or fall to the wayside. You can go after your dreams or forever live in someone else’s background. Ultimately, you have one choice -to either live life to the fullest or just dwell in Life’s existence.
Sometimes, living in purpose means doing complicated and difficult things. Things that may cause you to endure some self-inflected pain and oftentimes, your decision may unintentionally hurt others, but only temporarily.
It’s important to remember that when you are living in purpose, not everyone will support you. Not everyone wants to see you succeed and grow, including some family members and friends. While this may sound crazy and be difficult to digest, you must not allow yourself to be shaken or thrown off balance by others envy and jealousy. This is what I call harvest time and the season of weeding. Understand that where you are headed not everyone is designed to accompany you, this includes family, friends, and significant others. This journey has been handcrafted by the Creator Himself, specifically, and exclusively for you.
If you don’t mind let me share my experience with you. A few years back I kept hearing a voice softly whisper in my ear, but I couldn’t quiet the noise around me long enough to hear what this voice was whispering to me.
Once I was finally able to make out what the voice was saying, I chose to ignore it. That voice was God, trying to guide and inspire me towards transformation and speak change into my life. A change that I was hesitant to accept and embrace so, I decided that I would be disobedient to his voice. I wanted to do me! And that’s exactly what I did. After doing me for so long I found myself in a dark, lonely, and empty place. I felt so far away from the God and unaware of myself.
Time and time again, I heard that voice whispering to me but chose to turn a deaf ear. Deep down, I knew that I needed to make a change in my life, and part of me wanted to embrace that change. However, I felt secure in my current situation and my position. Coming from the trenches and from a place where it’s hard to get ahead in life, no doubt, I was skeptical about doing anything that may jeopardize or compromise what I had.
For once I had a great job, a stable place to live, and was living my best life. So, I thought! Not realizing I was being foolish, stubborn, selfish, and rebellious. The truth is beneath it all I was afraid! Yeah, afraid of CHANGE.
In the back of my mind, I always knew that I could trust the creator and his will for my life. I had once cultivated a personal relationship with God, and despite the challenges I faced, he had never let me down nor turned his back on me.
It was two weeks before Ramadan and I was excited and looking forward to fasting. It was in that moment when I heard his voice whisper to me and say, “use your voice for the people, but I need you to dig a little deeper and go a little harder to help the people and to truly fulfill the full potential of your purpose.” At that time, I had no clue what that meant, but I decided this time I would listen. I made a conscious decision to be obedient
From the bustling city of Milwaukee to the serene mountains of Virginia, to the countryside of North Carolina. From creating L.E.G., 2 Gain & Give, Nairobi’s Tea, to Hear Her Voice.
The road I’ve traveled has been bumpy and uncertain. At times, I felt like a failure, and like I wasn’t accomplishing anything significant or tangible. I now know that’s because I failed to be mindful and trust in the process, I failed to be appreciative and grateful for the unnoticeable accomplishments. I was so focused on the end goal, that I overlooked the journey of progress—the breaking of ground to build a new foundation, the development of a solid structure, the steppingstones that pave the way. In my tunnel vision all I could see was the layers of bricks that formed the building I aspired to create.
Listen, when I tell you that finding your purpose is not always sweet, I mean it. Sometimes, your purpose lies knee-deep in the belly of the beast. Sure, I knew there would be struggles but I refused to be conquered by defeat. I understood that to bring my purpose to fruition, I had to remain determined. I needed to stand my ground, stay firm and allow the spirit to lead me. Fasting and prayer became my weapons and my only source of strength and peace. Even as I weathered the storm, fighting against everyone around me, including my brother and my mother (May God rest her soul) God fortified me, and I came out in one piece.
I can proudly say that I’m now truly living in my purpose. However, I am still discovering a new me and uncovering the layers of creativity that God has created in me. I’ve realized that sometimes what we are passionate about doesn’t necessarily equate to our true purpose and that our gifts and talents are often elements that enhance our purpose rather than define it. It’s for us to use that passion and those elements of our creativity to ignite our purpose. We must stand ten toes down and never underestimate ourselves nor the power of God. We must step aside from self-doubt and trust the journey and stay rooted in positivity, confidence, hope, faith, and optimism. But most of all we must manifest in prosperity and live in our purpose.
I leave you with this:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans of welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope”