”Don’t sit on that pearl, set it off and let it shine”.
Those were the words I whispered to my friend during one of our many conversations about purpose and finding fulfilment in life.
She was so frustrated at that point and it was disheartening to see her that way.
You might be wondering what I am getting at with this?
I will let you into the full story shortly.
Remember, last week I whet your appetite a little about how this year is going to go for HIHS, bringing you into the light of the understanding that you are totally made for more and you really can be more.
I’m sure some of you are now wondering, I am made for more but how so?
Everything seems to be falling apart, my life doesn’t look like what I envisioned it to be, my career isn’t even taking off as I had hoped, I don’t even have a Job and the list goes on…..
You probably have all these questions right now and you are looking for the right answers.
Okay, but before you go on with the rant and the confusion you are trying to create for yourself, let me stop you in your tracks.
Ephesians 1:18 (NLT Version) I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light, so that you can understand the confident hope that he has given to those he called- His holy people who are His RICH and GLORIOUS INHERITANCE.
Why do I say this?
The only reason we can have or even dare to claim an inheritance is because He came, and totally understood why He was here and He didn’t faff around about things, He went straight to work. He knew exactly what he needed to do and he did it.
Acts 10:38 (NLT) And you know that God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth, with the Holy Spirit and with power.Then Jesus went about doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil for God was with him.
Okay, before I get carried away, remember that my friend whom I mentioned earlier?
Yes, the one who was frustrated and confused about what to do, Let me just add that she is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Lady and a bundle of talents, but she was just sitting on these amazing qualities and kept getting riled up about things that were within reach.
Now this young woman initially started out in medical school, but failed a few exams and was asked to drop out when she was about going into her 4th year.
Five years down the drain. Then, she went to another college, started right out from the beginning with another course, graduated top of her class, served her country and a few months later no Job.
Nothing!
She eventually got one that frustrated her effort and she kept applying hoping for a job change but nothing came up.
She became so frustrated and unfulfilled, she started to question the place of her purpose and what the future holds.
One day we were talking, and I said to her do you realise there is more to you than what your present circumstances are? There is more to you than looking for Jobs and being frustrated. God has definitely placed so many things in your hands.
I literally started pointing out to her the many things that she is talented at, business ventures that she can make money from, be fulfilled whilst doing them and still Job hunt if she wants to.
She initially laughed it off but after a few weeks, she thought it through, structured a plan and launched out. Amidst fear, uncertainty and impending failure, she took the leap and today she’s not just gainfully employed in a path she never thought possible, she also owns a thriving and successful business in the same field earning cool money and enjoying the ability to dream bigger than her initial statement.
In her own words, she said; I never knew this was possible until I changed my mind and tried it. From this business, I can live purposefully and build an empire, I am so certain of what the future holds now and I am excited about it.
So, I would like to ask, what changed? From a frustrated woman uncertain of the future to a purpose-filled woman excited for the future?
THE MINDSET.
There was a 360-degree mind warp that turned her inside out and turned things over.
She took the limits off.
She took the weights off
She took the doubts off
She took the possibilities off
She took the negatives off
Many of us are limited by our mindset that has refused to change basically because of fear and uncertainty. We don’t know how it will pan out but that’s not the only problem, another major problem is our inability to look deeper and truly believe something different from what we are used to.
Change is a constant thing that comes with doing more and becoming more. So, it’s time to take the bull by the horn and truly find your gold and refine it in that furnace of fire. A lot of ideas will come your way when you get into the process, don’t shrug it off. Think it through, see if it can stand the test of time, pray hard about it, get an assurance in your spirit and give it your best shot.
Becoming an entrepreneur worked for my friend, but it’s not the same for everyone. So, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying everyone should start out as an entrepreneur, I work as a public servant myself. However, all I am saying is
”do not let your present situation drive you into a hole, God has deposited something in you, find it and run with it”.
There is a particular lady whose story caught my attention and her story still challenged me till date me.
She is Aso Oke designer (Yoruba Traditional Wears). Apparently, she started out by just watching her sister do it and by helping out and running errands. After she graduated from the university like everyone else and there was no job, she thought to herself; I can do this and boom she started. Now she makes Aso Oke for the Vice President, ministers and people of influence all around the world.
I call it grace but I also call it ”finding your more.
What is that skill?
What is that talent?
What is that edge that you have?
Make it useful, explore it, go for it, move!
Get up and get out. Be bold, be confident, chase it up.
You are made for more. It’s not just for word of mouth, it requires your actions too and apparently a lot of it.
Do not allow the pressures of life hold you down, be determined.
You have probably tried so many things and they didn’t work. Don’t give up, keep trying Yes, people could call you Jack of all trades, don’t worry, at least you are doing something. However, once you get the confirmation to drop something and move forward, don’t hesitate, move.
Being a survivor isn’t a walk in the park but you can definitely make a beautiful message out of an assumed messy life.
Remember you are made for more!
Cheers
xx
IfeOluwa.
