And the Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, (insert your name). I will give you rest-everything will be fine for you” (Exodus 33:14, NLT).
Heyyyy, it’s another bright and happy Tuesday! It’s a good time to ask how you’ve been faring, and how the last days of 2022 are coming through for you. I’ll say that from my end, I’ve had to open up pages of gratitude. Just when I think “hmmm, what am I forgetting?”, there’s this thought of “there’s no way on earth you won’t remember this!” I mean, there’s a lot to be grateful for. We can’t even exhaust the list.
My assessment tells me that I have not really been appreciating people who are visiting the blog for the first time. Oh my goodness, you guys mean so much to me! You are highly welcome to the family. Thanks for deciding to check out what goes on here, and much more to return. And to my returning family members, you already know that you are dear to my heart. Thanks for always being here!
Last week, we laid a foundation which I will be building on in today’s post. We started with the fact that it’s time for final evaluations with respect to 2022, which in reality is going to continue till the 31st of December. We agreed that there’s full-blown pressure in the air, but it can be subdued. I mentioned some things that are worthy of note at this time. If you haven’t read it, you can check out the BREATHE post on the site.
We’ll pick it from this angle today. You are making the right decision by being determined to take another go at your goals. And here, I am cheering you on big time! And I’m not the only one on this table, other people are eagerly waiting to see a better, even the best, version of you evolve. God even desires that you would live out your greatness. However, let me point your attention to something.
Asides from being determined, have you considered the timing? Is it really time to go for this thing that you want to do so badly? Your efforts went into making it work the first time, but isn’t it high time you took a break to have a thorough search of your mind and environment to see what’s not making it work? While you reflect on that, I’ll continue with this.
It is God’s desire for us that we do all He will have us do from a place of ease and conviction. It’s not in His interest that we keep struggling or grumbling, not at all! You see that sense of fulfilment that comes with doing what you are doing, that’s what gives Him pleasure as well. That’s the position He wants you to occupy.
Here’s how Ecclesiastes 3:1 puts the time factor, it says “There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth”. Hmmm, I know that you have some reservations here. And that’s because as beautiful as this scripture is, it has been abused so much and used as an excuse to sometimes sit around and do nothing while hiding under the guise of waiting for the ‘right time’.
The truth here is that the statement still stands, no matter the number of controversies that surround it. There is a time for everything that needs to be done! When there is pressure around you, it can make you feel that the timing is perfect. But this I’ll say, never allow pressure to push you out!
I heard this from a wise woman, who in turn had heard the statement from a wise person. She said, and I quote; “If you don’t have your ‘strong why’, you’ll fall for every other person’s ‘strong why’. If you are seeking a true statement, don’t look too far. This is another one right here!
More often than not, the pressure comes from a place of goodwill and pure intentions, from people that truly want the best for you. They want to see you give expression to your strengths and abilities. However, there are decisions you just have to make from a place of REST AND FIRM CONVICTION.
I’ll have you get something right; this by no means undermines the concept of “stepping out in faith” or “doing it afraid”. There are times that you don’t have it all together at the beginning of a project. However, what makes a huge difference in those moments is that you are not just stepping out clueless. You have some level of conviction about what you want to do, even if the outcome is not something you fully understand or can predict.
Now, you might want to raise a concern; “I get all that you’ve said so far, but how do I make sure that I am not wasting time and opportunities while waiting for the ‘right time?” Let’s run through the coming paragraphs together.
First, start your evaluation from where you are right now. And while at it, you have to be honest with yourself. You need a good dose of that, I tell you. You have observed every step that you’ve taken when you stepped out initially, and there was no way forward while at it. It is absolutely fine to take a pause to check what the challenge is. “What am I not doing right? Where did I go wrong?” What could be done better?”
These are questions that might not birth answers in a day or a week, and this is why you have to function from a place of rest. Hey, ease the tension and have moments of deep thoughts and reflections. This, right here, is not a waste of time! It is a huge progress you’re making on your way to the “right time”.
Speaking of the pressure around, understand that some are meant to push you towards training and solid preparation. They are not there to get your head off your neck or stress you without birthing results. They are there to challenge you, to push you out of the carefree or timid zone. If you can recognize it in time, appreciate those people in all sincerity. They are gold!
However, not every push signifies launching out! And that’s the reason you have to discern it, and also be honest with yourself. You know the point you are more than anyone else.
Yes, you are not under pressure! You are functioning from the place of rest, which means your hands are at work even though you are not actively pushing out. This is a big part of the whole process if you ask me. It is you putting your resources in place, seeking help, getting adequate training, ensuring your growth, gaining momentum, spreading your wings, and getting ready to fly!
I know that I’ve mentioned being sincere over and over again, and that’s because nothing else beats that. It takes sincerity to know where you need help and how to get it. Therefore, be sincere enough to be sure that you are not using the “resting period” as an excuse to be slack or mediocre.
I know it might be hard to have to lay some things down after much time and energy has gone into it. However, I’ll say this to you. Trust that God has your best interest at heart. See this time as Him asking you to trust Him with the process, and allow Him to walk you through it.
When we talk of REST, we talk about Him. Function in, with, and through Him. He cannot mismanage your life. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re taking a step right now to return with more steps forward. If you know that Yoruba adage, you can spell it out😌.
I hope you had an amazing time reading through this. Thanks for coming on board with patience, I am sincerely grateful. Feel free to share your experiences so far, and drop your comments as well. Till I write you again, have a beautiful week!
5 comments
Rest is something I’m still learning, but I’ve learnt that I don’t have to feel guilt when I rest, and I’ve learnt that when I’m lazy, I don’t have to give myself an excuse that it’s rest. When I’m lazy then, I’m lazy.
Another thing I’ve learnt is that when I take breaks, I make sure I make good use of it and there’s a place of reevaluation in those moments.
Thank you sooooo much ma’am💚 for this amazing piece.
I love your summary☺️. Thanks for reading, sis❤️.
Rest is something I’m still learning, but I’ve learnt that I don’t have to feel guilt when I rest, and I’ve learnt that when I’m lazy, I don’t have to give myself an excuse that it’s rest. When I’m lazy then, I’m lazy.
Another thing I’ve learnt is that when I take breaks, I make sure I make good use of it and there’s a place of reevaluation in those moments, I still do something valuable but from a place of rest.
Thank you sooooo much ma’am💚 for this amazing piece.
Rest is something I’m still learning, but I’ve learnt that I don’t have to feel guilt when I rest, and I’ve learnt that when I’m lazy, I don’t have to give myself an excuse that it’s rest. When I’m lazy then, I’m lazy.
Another thing I’ve learnt is that when I take breaks, I make sure I make good use of it and there’s a place of reevaluation in those moments. Yes when I rest, I still do valuable things but from a place of rest.
Thank you sooooo much ma’am💚 for this amazing piece.
This summary is on point, Modupe. Thank you❤️.