She’s Ready

I've always shied away from speaking publicly. Mainly because I didn't think I had "the look" or I felt like I wasn't enough. I've had these issues not just for years, but for decades. That's a long time to be idle. 

What most don't know is that not only do I read and write a lot but I take a lot of notes of pastors and ministries that I love. I have so many ideas that it gets overwhelming. Lol. 

When I was asked to facilitate Final Fridays I was so nervous & so hesitant because my idea of talking about Esther having a stylist, being saved & fly and incorporating an on the spot fashion show kinda seemed out there out there. 

But it was AMAZING!!! Then to present on self-care and Bible verses related to it during the next session was even more than what I expected. 

I'm definitely that chic who loves Jesus & J Cole, knows Hymns & Hip Hop and believes in Self-Care For The Saints. I'm definitely a Jesus Girl who simply wants to impact the world. 

Now what? That shy one, the one whose been comfortable behind the scenes, has already planned ideas up until October. As I sat and listened to Pastor Mike today it confirmed so much. I needed to burn the plow and no longer have the comfort of my Plan B especially when my God is my Plan A. My pastor has often said, "My Daddy own a cattle on a thousand hills, surely I can get a hamburger."

Maybe it took a faith move to finally walk into God's plan for my life. And you know what? I get joy when I think about it.

Greater Works ~ Morning Mannah

Yesterday Pastor Mike talked about taking the limits off. I kinda laughed when he mentioned that he'd never heard a bird not chirp, a dog not bark, or a snake not snake. Animals do what they are supposed to do. Often, as humans, we do what we want to do. 

Sometimes I think God gets frustrated because He has so many amazing plans for us and we, with all of our freewill, a gazillion options and way too many influences, often choose easier tasks or more attractive options. Only later to wonder why things didn't go right. Why is this job or career not fulfilling me? How come this relationship isn't working out the way I thought it would? However, if you take a step back and take time to know God for who He is and study His word you would realize that He never wanted those things for you in the first place.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and those things will be added. God will add those gifts, those opportunities, and those relationships that he intended for us in eternity. As God adds those things, guess what you'll be able to do? A greater work.

It says it right there in John 14:12 (NLT) - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

Can you imagine doing greater works? Can you imagine your gift making room for you? Years ago I was watching Steve Harvey preach on TBN. He described your gift as that thing that you do the absolute best with the least amount of effort. Your gift is that thing that you do in excellence. It's something that you just do. 

I encourage you to seek God first. Let Him add those desires of your heart. Tap into your gifts. Believe in Jesus and go out and do greater works. 

Is it too hard to believe that you can feed thousands? Or to assist the homeless and those enduring hardships? Is it too hard to believe that you can fight injustices or challenge leaders to do what they promised? Nothing is too hard for God. It's not hard to believe if you believe in Jesus. You were created to be the answer to someone's problem. 

Take the limits off. Level up. Remember when God is in it, there is no limit. 

Where's Arlinda?

See what had happened was.. Sometime during the month of April, I was at Tuesday Night Bible Study and my mind went straight into planning mode, while listening to Pastor Mike preach.  I thought about teaching Esther and incorporating a playlist and an impromptu fashion show. It was all in my in head though. I wasn't sure what the plan was for Final Fridays, nor was I going to ask because I'm low key but that night I went home and wrote it all out. I couldn't sleep until it was completed.

What is Final Fridays?

Final Fridays was created for women at Light of the World Church to come together to study God's Word and to fellowship. It's open to all women and it's a really cool moment for women to fellowship and to connect with each other.

So about a week ago, it was actually the last Tuesday in April. It's the end of Bible Study and Pastor Mike is wrapping up. I'm sitting with Enjoli and behind Shavonne, which was a hilarious moment within itself. All of a sudden my pastor starts giving the run down for the rest of the week and he says, "Where's Arlinda?" Then he goes on to say that the women will be meeting on Friday. I sat there with this blank stare as my friend laughed at me. 

Where's Arlinda? She's sitting here trying to go unnoticed. That's where she is. Well, that's where she was because I knew that at some point I had to operate in what God has created me for. I guess it's time out for sitting on the sideline. It's one thing to say it or post it on social media. It's a whole nother thing to actually walk in it. 

I had actually created the layout for this Final Friday on April 9. I simply went to my document and brought it to life in like four days. Can I tell you something? It. Felt. So. Good. It felt good to get the creative juices flowing and it felt good doing what pleases God. 

Everything from the initial plan, to the flyer, the handout, the PowerPoint, and the gifts just came to me after I prayed over it. I kept hearing God say, "Operate in excellence. I know you're afraid but do it anyway." 

So on April 27, 2019 I stepped out of my comfort zone and stepped into my purpose. Years ago I was listening to Pastor Michael Beckwith discuss unfolding. Many statements stood out to me but one I feel like I'm truly living out, "Pain pushes until the vision pulls". Could it be that all of the pain that I endured over the past 5 months was for God to get me where He wanted me? Wouldn't that be a part of all things working together. God's vision for me is way bigger than the one that I have for myself. 

So, where's Arlinda now? Healing, taking care of herself and her family, reading good books, waiting on those things that God has for me and planning for the next Final Friday.

For who knows, maybe I was created for such a time as this. 

I learned how to use Keynote and that I need a new adapter. lol

These crowns were perfect to display as we studied about Esther.