I believe we all have had at least one experience in life when we feel like we are going backwards instead of forward. Every time we take one step forward we feel like we're moving two steps backwards. Just like you, I have felt the same way. To be honest, it wasn't until very recent I was having a conversation with one of my friends and she made a comment that put this into realistic perspective for me. As we were talking, I was sharing with her some of the experiences I have had over the past two years. For example, I had a position that I thought I served with professionalism, integrity and dignity. However, when the administration changed, my position changed as well. I went from coordinating the activities of two major programs, back to the position I held approximately 17 years prior. Just so you know, I was not too good to go back but I had worked to hard to go forward. Since then, God used that experience to allow me another opportunity to show people the power they think they have, they really don't have at all. In other words, as I was talking to my friend, I shared with her how God has given me the opportunity to have this same position but on a higher level. At this point in our conversation, she said, "no matter how hard they tried, God just keeps promoting you." At that very moment, God dropped in my spirit that He turned my demotion into promotion. You see, the Bible tells us in Romans 8:28-30, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." I know it absolutely does not feel good; and we sometimes wonder what it look like from the outside. Let me encourage you. As long as you know you have done what is pleasing to God, it doesn't matter what it looks like. Because God is going to expose the facts for the facts. For me right now, in this particular situation God has given back everything the devil stole and some on top of it. Keep trusting and keep believing, your day is coming when you too will recognize that what felt like demotion was instead promotion. How do I know, because the Bible tells us "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." Back in 2006 when my life began to spiral out of control, I had no idea what God was doing. I can assure you I experienced every negative emotion from A to Z. Little did I know it was all for this day. You see during my season of confusion, God was creating a curriculum for support for each one of you. Now that I am clear on my trainings and all the test I had to take to become certified in life, I know it was never about it. Through all of my hurt, pain, confusion, frustration, and so on; God had each of you in mind. Little did I know He was transforming me into the vessel that He wanted to use. Why am I telling you this? Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak to and encourage many young women. We all know and love the Lord; yet we struggle daily. I believe our struggle is so that we can get in tune with ourselves. What do I mean? I mean we can't forget we are human and humans hurt. I think it is alright to acknowledge how you feel and what you are going through; but only for a short time. People are quick to tell us to let it go and move on. Forget about the past and concentrate on the future. For me, I only partially agree with this. But before you decide to criticize or judge me let me clarify. I do agree that we should let go of the past and focus on the future however, I do not agree that we should completely forget about the past. I know for someone that sounds crazy. But, if I had completely forgotten about my past I would not be able to encourage you. I would not be able to let you know that God did it for me; and He will do it for you. I feel someone challenging me with my stance on this as you reference Philippians 3:12-14, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Let me be clear I know with 100% certainty that I am not perfect. However, God chose me for this time in your life. Let me encourage you by saying as the songwriter has said, "I've come through many hard trials, through temptations on every hand, though Satan's tried to stop me, and to place my feet on sinking sand, through the pain and all of my sorrows, through the tears and all my fears, the Lord was there to keep me" How do I know? Just look at me now. Be encouraged, even though you can't see Him right now and you may not even feel His presence just know that it is God's footprints you see in the sand. If you are reading this post then I know you can relate to its content. We are all very familiar with the cliche "out of sight, out of mind" Well ladies let me be the first to tell you. That can't be further from the truth. It has been my experience, the further you stay away from people or situations, the more they try to weave themselves into your life. For example, how about the guy you once dated? The relationship is over. You don't see him and as far as you know, he doesn't see you. But, that may not necessarily be the case. Believe me when I tell you this, if he's not watching you, he has someone else watching you. How you ask? Social media, friends of the friend, and the list goes on. Finally he realizes what he has and now he wants to study you to come up with ways to win you over. Let me encourage you, if he didn't want you the first time he probably doesn't want you now. Don't give someone two opportunities to tell you they don't want you. My dad always told me, "believe them the first time." What about the last employer you had? You know the one who demoted you because you would not conform to his/her environment. Let me remind you, you did your work. Evaluations were impeccable. Professional relationships were established; with boundaries I add, but that wasn't good enough. Just like the former boyfriend, they are watching you too. They see how God is elevating you and they have no control therefore, they begin to pretend in their little minds that you are not what someone else needs. Don't get confused, needs and wants are completely different. You see in their case, they needed you but in the case of the new position, they see your value and they want you. Don't worry about it instead remember this, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Fortunately, God does not feel this way about us. He doesn't let us out of His sight nor does He let us out of His mind. How do I know, Proverbs 15:3 says, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Not just that, when we find ourselves in a state of indecisiveness, Psalm 32:8 will give us great assurance, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." With all of this being said; be careful, be cautious but don't be stupid. Just because you are no longer in someone's direct sight does not mean they've given up the plot to take you out. But don't be discouraged. Hebrews 4:13 (ESV) tells us, "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." You may not see it and you may never know it but you can be at ease knowing God's got it all in control. |
In Memory of: Charles T. Wilcox
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