A new me is brewing inside. I am reflecting on my decisions I have made within the past year today. Last September, I took the biggest leap of faith in my life yet. God stripped my volleyball identity from me, and called me out to pursue ministry during that time. I left the sport I grew up playing, the college I was attending, and all the friendships I was building.
Within the past year, God has done nothing but realign my passion and purpose in my life. This last year, I gained nothing but life and work experience. I went through a number of jobs and jumped at any opportunity that presented itself in front of me.
Reflecting on my experiences this past year, I learned a few life keys I wanted to share for all those who are reading this blog.
- It is okay to say ‘no.’
I had to learn to say no and set boundaries for myself. I was spreading myself out thin and jumping at every opportunity, I wasn’t making time for God. I am reading this book “The Elimination of Hurry” (really good book – highly recommend), and one of the biggest takeaways I grabbed is how Western culture normalized “busy” as being successful. In reality being “busy” is spiritually taxing and toxic for the soul. The inability to say “no” opens the door for us to be distracted, busy, and always on the go.
2. Be present.
Live in the moment! I recently just obtained a kingdom key of learning to stay present. I am reminded of the story in the Gospels where Jesus healed the woman and the young girl in Mark 5. On the way to heal Jairus’s sick daughter, Jesus was stopped by a woman who was suffering for 12 years. In this moment, Jesus could have easily kept going and hurry over to Jairus’s daughter and disregard the woman who touched His cloak. Instead, He stopped, acknowledged her faith, and talked to her. Jesus was so present in that moment with the woman and gave her the time of day, even though He was on His way to heal another sick girl. The kingdom key we get out of this story, is how present Jesus was. He wasn’t rushing His conversation with the woman, knowing there was another girl sick to death.
We are always waiting and rushing for the next thing. We are constantly rushed by the concept of “losing time” but Jesus didn’t live like that – He was present and made time for what/who was in front of Him.
3. Distractions are Dangerous – Have Discernment!
This can be a whole blog in itself! I just want to quickly go over this topic because it is so common! A phrase I have heard a lot through out the Christian social media world is if ‘the enemy can’t make you sin, he will distract you or make you busy” (oof this is good)! I think I am just going to leave you all with my definition of distraction and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through it.
Distraction is anything that is taking time away from you pursuing God. (a boy, girl, job, hobbies, social media, sports, etc).
Oftentimes a lot of these distractions are not “sinful” or “worldly,” but they are keeping you busy and taking up so much of your time – it is actually pulling you away from God!
Remember, Christianity is a relationship, not religion. God just wants to hear your heart, be involved in your life, and spend time with you, but we can’t give Him that access if we are distracted by external things.
4. Seek first the Kingdom!
I just want to end it off here because within the past year, I did a lot of self reflection. I was realizing what is for me and not for me. I recognized what I like and don’t like. I found out what my passions were and God reignited the gifts that were inside of me.
I have so many seeds of dreams and visions planted inside of me, but I don’t want to misstep and do it my way. That is something important I learned!
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”
Proverbs 19:21.
I remember being so ambitious this year, anything I thought of, I did it! I had so many plans and ideas inside of me, I just did it, without taking into account if it was for me and in the right timing.
The things I so quickly jumped to do, were they from the Lord? I guess not, because most of the things I started, I wasn’t able to finish – it did not prevail. I didn’t take anything to prayer, I was just merely moving and acting with the wind. There was no root system in any of the seeds that were planted inside of me.
BUT – remember this – if you are ever questioning or second guessing yourself in a decision, make sure you are first seeking the KINGDOM! (Matthew 6:33)
When you are doing everything unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) and not on your own will, God will be in the midst and He will reward your heart. Just remember to do everything for His Glory, and in Jesus name, and not out of selfish intentions with no guidance from the Holy Spirit. Involve Jesus in every decision and there will be no confusion.
My hopes for all those reading, is to take at least one of these things and learn from my experiences. Taking a gap year, and taking the time to grow in my walk with Jesus and die to myself and my wants on a daily basis, allowed me to see and think more clearly about the path I am taking and walking on. There is so much peace and comfort knowing that God will guide my steps, even though I don’t know where I am going.
My Alabaster Box by Keilani Mayo
Written in 2020-2021