Can You Hear Him, Now ?

You’ve always been told that constructive criticism is the absolute best criticism. This holds truth, yet now being 27, righteous and receptive to much advise, unsolicited and unwarranted, I know now that statement insinuates that all constructive criticism is divine! Whoever came up with this mantra forgot to insert the warning cards and labels educating you of the dangers of being approached without the greatest necessity in advise encounters: OIL! Yes ma’am. You must have the oil, a drop, sprinkle, a smear, a something on you to help discern!

How do you know someone has been sent by God to help you and your endeavors of life? The advice given will aid, push, edify and mirror the move of God that is currently taking place. All that ‘extra’ from others, redirect it to the spam box and mentally, DELETE ALL TRASH! When you know- that you know -that you know what God said, you begin to become very dismissive to the things that don't align with His given word. To that critic advise giver, that cynical family member, “prophet”, and the likes, ask, “Who sent you boo?” I know. This statement is a bit rude and fleshy, right? However; sometimes a new demeanor powered by spiritual confidence is what it takes to get a person off your back and out you and the Lord’s business.

I’ll be the first to tell you, I’ve been a whole fool in an abundance of ways as followed: accepting my sinful nature resulting in me accepting, processing and living by advise received from whomever. It was in those moments I exuded weakness and not strength. My pursuit of God and the ability to hear from Him was null and voided. Yes, I was susceptible to everyone’s words - but His.

You cannot let others speak into you what they only see from their perspectives. Not all your folks anointed, they’re manipulative as hell! Sometimes the worst advice comes from the ones we love and respect the most. It sucks to have the want to change a family lineage, but we just cant help what and who we’ve been born to. Yet, no person will hinder the process! Therefor, the response to unholy advice should be - "ma’am / sir, momma, auntie, grandma, step dad, in-laws, nosey neighbor, society - I don’t need your ‘I thinks’ nor do I need your false ‘the Lord saids’ to manipulate me into doing the things you have missed out on or desire for self. I can’t accept what you think of my life and how you think about the decisions made thus far! I can’t accept that word you thought I desperately needed to hear or cared to listen spew out your mouth".

I know some parts of this mirrors your situation. Don’t pull back now. Keep reading, get your breakthrough!

Before my great ‘Road to Damascus’, succumbing to advice, I’d wasted so much time chasing a reality others created for me. I was chasing after people’s approval and satisfaction with my success. At this point, the achievement of being a single toddler’s mom, working a full time job, recent college graduate with multiple degrees with a LSAT score that would place me at any law school I chose - wasn’t enough. I became so consumed with needing a ‘yes' from others, I was willing to sacrifice my joys, true desires and even unknown purpose.

Eventually life hit hard, drastically and revelation found me. Life exclaimed, “Girl, slow down. You’re moving too fast; riding this race we call life and forgetting to fill up on the fuel sustaining it- GOD”! Circumstances pushed me more to developing a relationship with God. In return, the process of becoming more in tuned with Him boost my confidence regarding my own destiny! No one can convey to your purpose and destiny like He can. When you’re full of God your being rejects everything that’s unlike Him.

I have become so rooted in my salvation that the only person giving me directives and checking me when need be is Jesus. Yea, he talks to me! If it had not been for those hardships, dead friendships, unholy relationships, the meningitis, the blood clots, the Ray Charles eyes and walk, suicide attempts, the warfare for the sanity of my mind, and the list can go on and on - I wouldn’t have embraced so much of the new and profound skills, talents and passion ignited in me since getting in my prospected place, the passenger seat. God is Alpha and Omega. He is The Beginning and The End. The Author and Illustrator of our individualistic stories. Stories that belong to Him, not you nor any other person.

We must learn to tune out the unnecessary noises that cause confusion and distraction. We must also find our respective seat, which should be at His feet, and ride out in our own lane, tunnel vision. There, we learn to see clearly, listen carefully, speak profoundly, walk righteously and think Jesusly (lol, you get the point)! At His feet, our weaknesses are conformed and our wholeness is strengthened. 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 conveys:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I hear you.

BOAST? Nah, I’m good!

But really, you’re not!

We have the tendency to run away from our problems. Yet, it is better to make our true weak selves and habits known to the Lord. Why not tell Him? He already knows! This creates room for us to willingly act on the desires of having a relationship with Him. When we acknowledge Him, we give up our and others thoughts, quick fixes and purpose for our lives. Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6 says :

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direct your paths.”

There’s already a plan. A plan we can only access if we connect and stay connected to Him.

Jeremiah 29 : 11 says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

So, if He holds the plan and grants access to the future, remind me why you're listening to Nene and n’em. You’ll save yourself a lot of time , worries and concerns if you readjust your antennas, establish that good, ‘all bars’, connection, and trust to act on what YOU hear.

Live out what you have heard from God!

This is for me too, sis!