How many times have I passed over opportunities because of fear? How many times did I say NO because I felt inadequate or not good enough.
My lower self-got the best of me and made me believe that I could not be who God called and created me to be.
He said in Jeremiah 1:5-8 (KJV), “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said, “I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.”
But the Lord said unto me, ‘Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.’ Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.”
In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is being given a task. A task that “feels” beyond his capacity, beyond his reach and beyond his mindset. He is afraid and feels inadequate but God reassures and reminds him that the great IAM created him.
Look at any other person in the Bible or in real life that the Father called for greatness. They all felt some type of way about their calling. There were moments of doubt and fear. There were times they wanted to quit and go into hiding.
But one thing about the Father, He calls those not for where they are, but for where they are going. For what He has planted deep down inside, He is cultivating through trials and experiences.
And when it is birthed and the promise over your life is fulfilled, it will change generations. Just ask Moses.
You and I are no different than Jeremiah, Moses, or anyone one else called to greatness.
We have been designed for a purpose and when the Father created us, He created everything already inside of us to accomplish the task and the purpose our life was designed to fulfill. All we must do is say YES.
I know throughout my life there were moments that I said NO to opportunities that were supposed to be YES. I was saying NO to growth, to being stretched, to impacting others’ lives because I was so afraid of the “what ifs.”
I couldn’t control the outcome so I chose to stay in my comfort zone and stay stagnant. He never asked us to be perfect, He only asked us to be willing. He is a perfect God that can work through any imperfections but He must have a humble spirit to work with.
I don’t think I truly realized the power of saying Yes even when I was afraid and uncertain. Saying Yes allowed the Father to operate and fulfill the promise on my life.
I became in alignment with His will and things started to move that helped me progress forward. Not only that, I discovered gifts that I didn’t even know existed.
For example, I remember a time when someone approached me about having a radio show. I was terrified but I said yes and gave myself three months. The show ran for six months.
I didn’t know that I could be an on-air radio personality and I didn’t know the show would impact lives the way it did, but by saying Yes, I discovered something new about myself.
Or the time I said yes to playing my grandmother in the documentary “Maynard” which is about the life of my uncle, Maynard Jackson.
Acting is something I enjoyed doing but never really thought I would get the opportunity to do it.
I never felt so alive and here it is airing in NY, LA and at different film festivals selling out. And there I am on the screen and my name in the credits because I said YES.
Or the time I choose not to be afraid anymore and stop talking about hosting my own event and just do it. My first event called “The Oasis” launched last year and I was terrified.
Do you know how hard it is to execute an event that allows women to be raw and honest? To provide a safe space, a sanctuary, to be poured back into both mentally and spiritually to impact their purpose and profits? And then to flow authentically and genuinely the way you are gifted to?
However, once I made the decision to move forward, everything started to fall into place and the people who He called to this purpose revealed themselves. I established a relationship with the owners at Kupcakerie and secure the event space for an amazing price.
Because of who the Father attached to the vision there were volunteers to help execute day of needs, amazing food, music, giveaways etc… PR opportunities were secured and I was on Girl Power Hour radio with Jae Nash talking about the event.
Now, this doesn’t mean there weren’t any challenges but I was determined to keep fulfilling the commitment of my YES. To be honest, ticket sales were horrible, but I decided to do the event anyway no matter who showed up. But because I said yes to what the Father called me to do, He showed up and lives were impacted forever, including mine. It was so impactful that I decided to do one every quarter and the next one is this Sunday 2/25 at Kupcakerie from 1:30 – 4. And because of my YES, He has already gone above and beyond what I thought or could imagine.
But because of the connection of that event, here came the opportunity to say YES to writing for The Atlanta Voice.
Never would I have thought I would be writing for a column. But hey, I never thought I would have a radio show, or act in a documentary or execute such an impactful event.
You never know what the Father has in store for you or is going to birth through you just by saying YES!!! So, say Yes today. Say YES despite the unknown, despite the fear and despite your own insecurities. I know I did and I’m so grateful.
