God really spoils me! Yes, I experience seasons of disappointment, hurt, pain and hardship but in the end it all works out for my good. I’ve heard many Christians say, “What God has for me no man can take away,” but I’m learning that maybe no “man” can take it away but “you” can.
To prove that “you” can get in the way of your own blessing, look at the children of Israel who weren’t able to see the land God promised to them because of constant disobedience, “The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” (Numbers 14:20-23). Or what about King David, an awesome man of God yet his mistakes hindered him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” (2 Samuel 12:11-12) Or even Judas, a man who walked with Jesus became so overwhelmed with his personal failure he pulled his own plug. “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5)
I am a dreamer. A particular personality assessment deemed me a “strategic futurist thinker”, meaning I’m always looking for better ways to improve things. In my eyes, the future is bright but what I lack is execution. I have big and amazing ideas but lack follow through. I’ve been told the promise on my life but lately it seems more of a fantasy than a reality and it is no one’s fault but my own. I’ve taken advantage of God spoiling me and allowed laziness and procrastination to enter my life. January is almost over but don’t lose sight of your goals! Below is my action plan for 2014 to help better execute my ideas.
Goal | Action to achieve | Completion date |
Spiritual growth |
|
|
Healthy living |
|
|
Obtain financial freedom from consumer debt |
|
|
Forward progression at work/establish myself as a thought leader |
|
|
Dear Daddy,
Thank You for guidance and wisdom to see Your plan through. God, You are doing a mighty thing with my life and I want to assist by putting in the hard work that You deserve. Lord, I want to pray against any distractions or hardships the enemy is sending my way to detour me from my goals. I thank You, Jesus, for patience and grace on this journey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Ladies, I EMPOWER you to make SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) goals this year. Supernatural is great because the testimony elevates people’s faith but it is my belief that when God has you work for something it gives you the ability to EMPOWER others in an unbelievable way. Appoint people to hold you accountable but understand at the end of the day YOU must do this. Create a list and in December 2014 we will revisit this! Good Luck! This year remember 1 Chronicles 28:20: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (You are God’s temple.)
What is one of your SMART goals for 2014?
__________________________________________________________________
Ms. Dené B. is a student of life who enjoys human studies and social media. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago where the motto is “Preparing People to Lead Extraordinary Lives,” She took her education and school spirit to heart and now is a young adult striving to live an extraordinary life while helping others achieve the same. One of her go to scriptures is, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).