Embracing the Call

There are many times in the life of a believer where he or she must make certain decisions that are, for a lack of a better choice of words, undesirable... undesirable because they require sacrificing one's own fleshly appetites and choosing to do the "right thing". What is the "right thing"? one may ask. The "right thing" is obeying God's Word about His desires for your life instead of your own. Nonetheless, none of these daily sacrifices are tantamount to actually embracing the call that God has on each of our lives. That sacrifice is not the average "Oh well, maybe next time I'll have my way" ideology; instead, it requires a lifelong commitment to obeying the will of God no matter what it takes - i.e. sacrificing certain relationships, friendships, possessions, locations, and/or personal desires, aspirations, and goals that may hinder God's plan.

The question then becomes, "Will you be ready to answer that call when God knocks upon the door of your heart?" Matthew 22:14 states that ""For many are called, but few are chosen". God has called all each of us into communion with Him. However, you (and I) MUST make a deliberate and conscious effort to choose Him in return. The choice, though seemingly difficult, is pretty simple in essence... choose God's will - choose Life; choose selfish desires - choose Death! For the appetites of the flesh tend to lead towards sin, and we all know that  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Therefore, if you decide to "embrace the call" by choosing to be obedient to God's Word, a world of opportunities and fulfillment awaits you. Trials are inevitable and temptations will arise to test your fortitude!  Nevertheless, 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God's "grace is sufficient for you, for" His "power is made perfect in weakness". Once you realize that you were designed with a purpose (to worship God with whatever gifts He has given you) and that you will not be made whole or be fulfilled until/unless you answer and walk in that calling, it will become much easier to embrace!

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!!

Hope for a Better Tomorrow

No matter how many trials may come your way, you can always rest securely in knowing that as long as you have breath, there is a hope for a better tomorrow. Circumstances have a way of turning around in a split second - for better (or worse in some instances). However, in spite of the direction of your life right now, if your just hold on to positive thinking and faith, let go of all negative people and things in your direct circle, and just keep moving forward, you will inevitably make progress. Now, the level of progress you achieve is all up to you! And finally, as the popular saying goes, "Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you perceive it!" Therefore, even when your situation doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, perhaps if you simply change the way you view it, you'll realize that things aren't as bad as they may seem. Now, take that to the bank!

"WAITT!" You Don't Have to Go Through Life Alone

No matter what struggles you endure, always remember that We Are In This Together, so WAITT!!! Before you become discouraged, do know that you don't have to go through it alone. We need each other to survive despite the "individualistic" society we reside in today! No person is an island by him/herself. I need you just as much as you need me. At the end of the day, we're simply walking, living, breathing testimonies for each other.

Continue to be TIMID (Trusting in My Inner Divinity)!

It's ok to be "timid" in all of life's trials. Next time, someone calls you weak or pusillanimous simply take a deep breath, smile, and tell them, I'm simply "Trusting In My Inner Divinity!"

Encouragement for the Single Folks out there!

To all my fellow single Christians (singles... Period!), I wanted to just encourage you today. This walk ain't no joke, y'all! However, please be encouraged that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Daddy (God) has not forgotten about you. Not only is He preparing the right one for you; He is preparing you for the right one! Al

so, don't be too quick to throw someone away (note to self). Because s/he didn't recognize your "worth" in the way you'd like doesn't necessarily make him/her a bad person. It could simply mean that only the person God created for you has the eyes, heart, and spirit to see you in the way God has pre-ordained. Determine if and how that "undeserving" person fits into the grand scheme of things, and proceed accordingly! Sometimes, s/he is only meant to be a friend. However, perceived loneliness has the propensity to let you see a pond in the middle of a desert (mirage). Ask God for help in allowing you to discern the difference.

However, while you're waiting, seek God's guidance to DISCOVER AND LEARN TO WALK IN YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE!!! And before you know it, you will have either forgotten about your loneliness and have become fulfilled in doing what God has created you to do or be found by that special someone when you least expected it because you were too busy "working" in your purpose to be consumed by your loneliness! Either way, you would be fulfilled! : )

Let that resonate for a moment. (speaking to self as well) ; )

"Inspired"

Inspiration doesn't always come easily. You always have to be prepared to catch it when it emerges. ~ Sylvie Chantal Humphreys (CEO - S. C. Humphreys)

Temptations & Trials - What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger!

Most of us are familiar with the saying, "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger"! Well, I am here to confirm that belief. Whatever life tends to throw your way, it all has purpose. Whatever that "purpose" may be, if you're still standing at the end of it all, you will have either learned from the occurrence and grown or allowed it to immobilize you. How it turns out is all up to you! Of course, in many instances, you may need help coping. Nonetheless, it is one's will to survive the vicissitudes and trials of life that makes coping, healing, and overcoming that more probable!

With that said, temptations (one of life's "inevitables") are there to make you stronger! They are like battles in preparation for the Big War; the training the Olympians undergo before the Big Finish; or even the testing of bath water before jumping in - lest one becomes scalded. Ouch! In blatant terms, one typically has to endure the simple tests of life before experiencing the traumatizing ones. This usually provides the necessary "training" you need to stand strong.

It is impossible to refrain from experiencing all life has to offer - the good and the bad! They both work together to make you the person you will become! Those who have tried the path of avoidance sooner or later realize that they cannot run from temptations, fears, and the like. What you run from will catch up with you, eventually! Moreover, what all that hiding does is allow you to be caught off guard by the avoided "encounter". Therefore, why not be prepared for the inevitable?! Instead of allowing them to paralyze you with fear - whatever that entails (i.e. the fear of "messing up", "failing", "succeeding", "rejection", "responsibility", etc.), EMBRACE IT AND USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE to train you for the battles ahead!

Besides, how will you determine how much you can take or how much is enough or too much? How will you know how strong you are unless you lift a weight? How will you be able to run if you never learned how to take the first steps?! My fellow Blog Enthusiasts, my plea to you today is to NOT disregard the pertinence and significance of temptations or life's trials. Instead of praying for them to disappear, I implore you to please consider being thankful for their presence, as they help in building your fortitude!

So unless it kills me, I say... BRING IT ON!!! Are you with me?

Proceed with Caution!

Before embarking upon a relationship with someone, please determine if it's Lust, Love, or mere Loneliness. Once you've figured it out, decide if the relationship needs to be Resolved or Dissolved! ~ Sylvie Humphreys (Ceo - SH Empowerment)