There was a time when I was younger, and not so wise, immature to say the very least, and I believed people could change each other. I thought that if we talked about it or represented the thing we were trying to change in another person, it would happen.
I believed that I could be motivated and encouraged to do something I was “if-ing” about by listening to motivational and inspiring speeches. But, I was heavily inspired in one instance and deflated in the next. There were things I wanted to do, but the effort was too heavy a burden. I willed myself by merely thinking, “I will do this,” but would end up fast asleep the next minute. My willpower was being challenged, and I was getting nowhere.
As the years progressed, I felt the fire of my childhood dreams and aspirations slowly dying. I realized that nothing would happen unless I DECIDED to make it happen. The only way we are going to move towards a goal or desire is if WE MOVE.
The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step] Psalm 37:23.
So Listen, yes, for some of us, this journey will be challenging. There are many obstacles that we will face. Some of the challenges will be caused by others, while a good portion by us. But I wanted to share with you and remind you that you are never alone. It takes a belief in ourselves and a decision to move forward believing in ourselves. I think sometimes our inadequacies lie in how we absorb the perceptions of others towards us. Other times, this perception is because of how we may view ourselves. We then use others as a scapegoat to mask the truth of how we feel about ourselves. Trust that I know what I am talking about; it’s how we feel about ourselves that we project and then cause ourselves to be stuck.
So the question is, how do you feel about yourself? What are you saying to you subconsciously? What value are you placing on yourself?
If you answer these questions honestly, you may realize your inability to commit to moving is within and has nothing to do with anyone but you. Time to reinforce my original statement; if you need to move—the desire and want must come from within.
Why are we unable to move?
Before I delve into the answer, let me say there is nothing to be ashamed of—the feelings that keep us stuck did not originate with us. And we must have experienced a situation that made us feel less than capable. Over time those feelings stayed and became a part of us. We tell ourselves that the shame we feel is better off in the dark. Rather than try and face it, we do not move; we stay put. The only way to conquer this is to step into the light, and you have this permission and charge if I may put it that way.
“Here is another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven—Matthew 5:14-16.
What more can I say?
You are not alone, and this charge given to us through Christ is the most glorious thing. You are not alone! Get up, start believing in your God-given ability. Understand that you are not your past—it does not matter what happened to you. You are not responsible for the shame caused by another. You are responsible for the present and what you must do. So stop being stuck. Decide to move and move with a tunnel vision.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life—2 Corinthians 5:17.
Decide to move forward today. Not because of a motivational video or because of the many who are touting how to get that bag. But decide to move forward on the authority of who you are in Christ. On the charge of who Christ says you are. You only have to believe, stop being ashamed, place the shame in the light because you now understand that your life is not about what others think or might have imposed on you.
Move forward, make the mistakes, get rid of the shame. I promise you if you make the decision, things will get better.
Lots of Love and Amazing Light!
