Wow!! Today marks two years of me living in Nashville; two years since I packed up and took a leap of faith to leave my comfort zone to enter the next phase of my life. I have finally settled in this being my home. I must say that so many emotions are racing through me right now. I am happy, excited, joyful, and most of all, at peace. However, none of this would have been possible if I did not embrace change. I want to share my journey with you in hopes that it will encourage you to recognize when change is on the horizon and how to modify your perspective to see how God allows change to work in your favor. Take this journey with me!! Let’s go!!!
On December 31, 2017, I attended the watch-meet service (a praise and worship/testimonial service to bring in the New Year) at my former pastor’s church. God told me specifically that I needed to go there that night. As I drove there, I was in tears because I felt that my soul was in a desert place. I had managed to keep up this façade of perfection for so long that I literally felt that I lost myself. I walked into the church and was immediately greeted with hugs from former church members. Little did they know, coming to church that night was my last hope before I gave up. During the message, my former pastor stopped and pointed at me. He said to me, “God had him to pause during the message to speak a word to me that I have allowed myself to be dumbed down long enough. I am not a chicken; I am an EAGLE and was meant to SOAR”. I couldn’t contain myself and I immediately broke down. It was that night that I rededicated my life back to Jesus Christ. After that night, things began to shift in my life almost instantly.
In 2018, it seemed like change was the topic of discussion everywhere I went. In January, I came to Nashville for the first time to visit my linesister. We talked about purpose and goals, and how there were things she was trusting God for. She spoke with so much faith that she inspired me to seek God about the change he was trying to make in my life. I was so excited about the possibilities and even shared them with a few people. HUGE MISTAKE!!!
**Note: You cannot share everything with everyone because everyone does not have the capacity to understand what God maybe telling you to do. Also, just because something didn’t work for someone else does not mean it won’t work for you!!**
I felt my fire fading and began making excuses like “Well maybe now is not the right time”, “I can’t leave my family and friends”, and “Maybe they’re right. Stepping out on your own for the first time could mean failure”. The more I felt the hand of God, the more I resisted change. I encountered health challenges, hair loss, anxiety (didn’t know that’s what it was then), sleep deprivation, and felt smothered by my own predicament. One day while walking on the track, I broke down and told God I give up; that I would do whatever he told me to do. In March 2018, I declared “In six months, I will be at a new job, in a new city, and in a better place in life”. I came back to Nashville four different times after that.
Over the next six months, I had to learn how to embrace change through the following ways:
- Understanding that change is inevitable. You can either do it willingly or be forced to.
- Change will stretch you and make you uncomfortable. Yet, it builds character.
- Change challenges your insecurities, but will also ignite your motivation if you let it.
- When God tells you to make a change, he has already made provisions for you. You just need to obey.
- Change is the link between your goals being a thought and/or picture to it being your reality.
- Change can provide health and meaning to your life mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Resistance creates stress and strain.
- Change will expose the true intentions of people, but it edifies God’s ability to still do marvelous works on your behalf.
- MOST IMPORTANLY: CHANGE CAN BE THE SPARK TO IGNITE A CHAIN REACTION OF BLESSINGS!!!
On September 6, 2018, I interviewed for my job. On September 7, 2018 I was tentatively offered the position and worked the last day at my previous job. On September 15, 2018, I was approved for my apartment, paid my deposits, and bought my furniture. On September 22, 2018, I moved into my apartment. YES, IT HAPPENDED THAT FAST!!
**Note: It does not take God long to move. Most times, He be waiting on us to trust him FULLY!!! FAITH AND ACTION IS KEY!!**
Today, two years later, I’m still here in my blessing. I have taken a few losses but have had many wins all because I submitted to the will of God to embrace change and recognize when certain seasons of my life were up. I encourage you to embrace change in your life. No, it does not always feel good, but it can truly work for our good. We spend so much time resisting change, and that’s counterproductive to our progress. I pray for us to always follow God’s direction in making change so that we will live a FULL life. As always, I am praying for you. Be sure to stay connected with me and let me know how you’re doing. Remember, you got this!!!
-Jasmine