“What gets measured gets improved.” ― Robin S. Sharma
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Hello Friends,
Glad to see that you are flourishing!
Can you imagine that July is around the corner? The leaps and bounds with which 2020 went by have no real description. We went from one cliffhanging moment to another, but hey, we're still here and all by God's Grace.
Today, I share some lessons I learned from the first half of the year.
Some of these lessons may not be new to you, but with the light of God's word, I hope to extend some love through my experiences. Whatever part of this piece you connect with, I'll be glad to hear from you via the contact page or in the comments section.
Well here goes;
Care about what you do, and it will care about you.
Showing intentionality about who you are and what you do is no easy thing. This first half of the year has shown us that we have to go all in.
If intentionality to you means following your preplanned goals in a very precise order, but what happens when life takes you a different route? You honestly have to trust God by caring sincerely about pursuing what He has placed in your hands. Caring isn't worrying, but tending to, loving, and cherishing who you are, what you do, and where you are.
“Nurturing is not complex. It's simply being tuned in to the thing or person before you and offering small gestures toward what it needs at that time.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher
By sincerely working in your present season, your intentionality shines through because you have set results. Isn't it daunting how Joseph received these incredible dreams in Genesis 37 but had to go through all sorts of pits (betrayal, slavery, the temptation of adultery, prison) first?
He received a revelation of the promise, yet he suffered like no man's business. Did he stop caring about Potiphar's businesses and household, or the prison, or interpreting those dreams in Genesis 40-41? Not at all! He was still at the top of his game, even in prison.
We haven't and may never go through half of that, but caring placed Joseph in high ranks in Potiphar's house, up to the point of going to prison, then causing him to lead in the prison, get forgotten by the baker and cupbearer but still cared enough to interpret Pharoah's dreams. And boy, did it pay off!
As you work towards the ultimate Treasure (Matthew 6:21) and trust that God wouldn't let you fail (Deuteronomy 3:18), care so much that your battles get scared and have no choice than to give way!
Keep showing up
Showing up is consistency and self-awareness.
For some, consistency might demand that you stay focused on one thing, that is, picking one skill and following it through. For others, it would mean applying equal and consistent energy to your marriage, kids, studies, work, and a lot more, all at the same time.
It is showing up again and again to the multiple parts of life, whether broken; whole; well-prepared; scared, consistency is being dependable, regular, firm (1 Corinthians 15:58, Ecclesiastes 9:10). You can find more extensive gist about consistency (here and here).
“Even on the days you don’t feel like it, showing up can make all the difference. If you show up and start the work – even though it feels so heavy to do so – what you end up making could be all you need to keep moving, to keep creating.” ― Tanner Christensen
Showing up will require a level of commitment, so strong, that simultaneously you wouldn't be negligible of other things. Your consistency will push the next level of self-awareness (1 John 4:4, 2 Timothy 1:7) that lets you stay grounded in who you are in Christ.
Showing up would insist that you wisely be a regular to ALL the plans God has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Then watch as the Rewarder of the brethren shows up for you (Colossians 3:23-24).
Be A Minimalist
As we let go of our 'the grass is greener on the side' or 'I wish I had this or that' mentality, we start to realize that not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). In other words, simplicity becomes something you adore. There is this awareness that you don't need everything or what everyone has to pave your way to greatness (Proverbs 15:16).
It's this kind of contentment that makes you value little moments without discounting your big dreams (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three, and to hundred or a thousand. We are happy in the proportion of the things we can do without.” ― Henry David Thoreau
It is discovering a more profound value, decluttering internally and externally, achieving a quietness in your spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:11). It's choosing powerful over popular, impactful over important. You don't have to hustle to be in the majority, but you realize that you can be the best in the game and still enjoy the benefits of being private.
Don't be surprised if simplicity causes you to let things go, you know, the art of inflating every little thing into a big issue. All you know is, you feel lighter, in your mind, heart, and soul (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Somehow, you know Where your Strength lies (Phillippians 4:13), and Who your Source is (John 14:16). Waiting for your turn doesn't scare you because you know the God of all seasons is on your side (Daniel 2:21). And you know what is for you will always be for you.
Extra Trust
You may be the kind of person who prefers friends in packs of fifty or hundred, or just a close-knit crew works for you. No matter how companionship happens for you, you've also had some failed relationships. Normal stuff! And, sometimes painful too! The first half of 2020 showed us that we have more to give. You value reliability and strength because all the while, you have your trust in the Rock of Ages (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” ― Maya Angelou
And when you have to be confidante or secret keeper, your extra makes you never take relationships for granted. You are consistent and humble enough to know that love is patient, love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Even when it hurts the most, we remember that we have an example in Christ (Matthew 6:14).
Speak life over every situation
With all the troubles of the first half, the words we speak become more significant. This is building a culture of positivity in the even worst of circumstances. It is refining the thoughts we think (Romans 12:2), then thinking about what we are thinking about (Proverbs 23:7), and producing words of life (Isaiah 55:11).
“Take time to feed your soul, compliment yourself, pamper yourself, smile at yourself, think positive thoughts, and speak life. Watch how you talk to yourself – because you are listening.” ― Germany Kent
“You are loved. You have purpose. You are a masterpiece. You are wonderfully made. God has a great plan for you.” ― Germany Kent
Even when there is no situation, 2020 is the kind of year that makes you stand in front of your bathroom mirror and turn things around for you. You have the key to do so (Proverbs 18:21)!
Choose to be happy
Overall, 2020 so far has been a lesson on the pursuit of God's kind of happiness (Isaiah 26:3-4). It meant taking what God placed in our hands and nurturing it with intentionality, consistency, simplicity, reliability, and positivity. The ruggedness of 2020 introduced us to physical and spiritual isolation that we left with no choice but to go back to the drawing table.
2020 is pushing us to appreciate the little moments that we miss; going to church, visiting the cinema or a friend, attending your graduation, and so on.
“Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There’s going to be stress in life, but it’s your choice whether you let it affect you or not.” — Valerie Bertinelli
Further, 2020 is giving us some time to pause and embrace even simpler moments, enjoying fellowship with our families, worshipping God truly in your closet without all the church props (you know how we church folks do). It is being there for your kids, and learning better financial management skills in a slowing economy!
Without a doubt, 2020 is telling us, 'hold on, take a minute and be happy anyway' (Phillippians 4:4, James 1:2, Psalms 37:4). Whatever is there or not there, choose joy!
Prayer
I pray that the second part of this year would lead us to God, and make us grow that which He has placed in our hands. I pray that 'staying in our lanes' would come easy for us, and in fulfillment, God will bring Psalm 16:11 to pass in our lives.
I pray that intentionality, consistency, simplicity, reliability, and positivity would be the main staple of our spiritual diet. May the rest of 2020 surprise us (Psalm 4:6-7), in Jesus' name!
Love & Peace,
The Lady Nudge.
'Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will greatly increase.' Job 8:7
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Sources: Creativelive.com, bible.com,inc.com, goodreads.com, habitsforwellbeing.com, wiseoldsayings.com
Author's Disclaimer: All content of this blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only, and represents the opinions, experiences, and research made by the author.
thanks for sharing these valuable lessons! God bless you!
So true. Thanks for following the post!
I appreciate your message of pushing through even when there's resistance against us or the challenge ahead seems too hard.