What Did I Sign Up For?
Then the Lord said to me, "Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Five years ago today - the Tuesday after Memorial Day, May 28th, 2019 - I finished the first version of the Business Plan for Authentic Existence®.
God has given me the mission through Authentic Existence® to spread His Word through simple, unique products and testimonies to encourage all to boldly reflect the light of the "Son", Jesus Christ, in their own way and the vision to bring this and future generations closer to Him through His Son.
He uses His Creation - specifically the Bold Full Moon™ - to show me how to do this.
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:20 NLT).
"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night, they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world..." (Psalm 19:1-4 NLT).
By looking to God and writing down what He speaks to me, it focuses me to run my race and carry the correct message He has for me to share with others; a message that helps them lose the weight of the world to expose their true identities in Christ and live their full potential.
It is through my personal struggle with weight - physically, spiritually and mentally - and the associated shame I've carried with it, that led me to realize that it's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I have the strength to do what God has called me to do (Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT). My willpower has never been sufficient to endure.
At times, due to my insufficiencies, I have questioned "what did I sign up for?" because it seemed impossible to do what God was asking of me. But He needed me to come to the end of myself to begin to live as He truly designed.
God created everything through Jesus - the Word; Jesus gave life to everything and His life brought light (John 1:1-5). The Word exposes me to God (Hebrews 4:12-13); examining my heart and knowing everything about me (Psalm 139:1), God still invited me to come to the light for others to see I am doing what He wants (John 3:16-21).
By keeping my eyes on Jesus, the initiator and perfecter of my faith, I am able to persevere in the race God has placed before me, disregarding any shame, knowing it leads to a place of honor just as Jesus endured the cross and has entered Heaven (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) .
Jesus' sacrifice established the new covenant, putting God's laws in my heart and on my mind while my sins are no longer remembered (Hebrews 10:12-18). He understands my weaknesses and has made the way for me to come boldly to the throne of God and receive His mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).
His grace is sufficient; His power works best in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
As I have surrendered my life to Christ over these years, from glory to glory, I am able to see and reflect His glory (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). It is by listening to and doing what the Word - Jesus - says that I am able to see who I truly am in Christ (James 1:22-25). I am able to see new things (Isaiah 43:19) and am aware of the glory of the Lord throughout the Earth (Habakkuk 2:14).
I continue to write the vision God gives me to make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2) as vision gives me life (Proverbs 29:18). It allows me to live my life in this new way as Christ's ambassador, reconciling others back to God as He has done for me (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
My faith has saved me. With gratitude, I share my testimony to save others; "...That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"" (Romans 10:9-15 NLT).
"This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life" (Romans 1:17 NLT).
I am exactly who He wants to use. Having a plan helps me to align to His standard - not try to fit in, instead embrace standing out. It gives me divine direction and shows my commitment to what God has called me to do.
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed" (Proverbs 16:3 NLT).
Are you struggling to run your race? Could it be that you are trying to do it in your own power?
"...Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).
Authentic Existence® Affirmation: I will trust in the Lord!
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a new and better way for me to be all that You created me to be to do all that You have called me to do! May I never do less than this by trying in my own power to do what can only be done in the Lord's strength. Help me to persevere by the grace and mercy You have provided me through Jesus. It is in His Name I pray, Amen! So be it!
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