If that sounds like a lot, well it was. Another busy week has come and is slipping now in the future.
Speaking of which, next week will also deal with some deeply personal testimonies of mine as I noted this past Monday, we are approaching a date that holds multiple milestones for me.
It’s a journey I believe can help many, however before then we need to pause and reflect back on the week that was here on “Becoming Today”.
Okay Sherman, let’s set the way back machine for Monday and revisit “Reviving My Revival”.
As I noted, July 18th will mark a significant milestone for me. Last year it came during an extended trip I did not expect to take and also has now come to mark another momentous change in my life.
As we continue our shared journey along this path of “Becoming Today”, it should not be a surprise that while we “travel” together, no two routes are identical. Most times they are more like rivers than highways. Traveling forward with an ebb and flow, meandering at times rather than the constant buzz and speed of an Interstate.
Recently I journeyed away from familiar surroundings on a trip that took me places I hadn’t planned on and taught me lessons I didn’t even know I needed.
I’m calling this somewhat unexpected, yet intensely needed course correction, “My Revival”.
That’s not how it began, but when I had a chance encounter with a woman of prominence, who walked up and spoke to me it’s what I just blurted out. I told her I was on “my own revival trip”.
In that brief moment of complete vulnerability and honesty I realized that’s what it was and I was being led to some deep questions and answers.
For 11 days I appeared to be wandering, but was being guided, my every step directed.
I appeared to be traveling alone and never was.
Most thought I was exploring the “wilderness”, but rather it was leaving no stone unturned in me.
It was a long overdue expedition, far more than a temporary diversion I thought I needed. In retrospect it truly was a tour of my soul, an examination of self, community, the world in general and how I need to be relating to humanity.
While there were no tents, choirs or bluegrass inspired gospel musicians, there was the recharging spirit, reignited fervor and a renewed passion for my calling.
All energies that were multiplied when I committed myself fully to be accepting of the idea, clarified my focus, sought to better understand my purpose and declare my intentions.
So why should we be declaring? It’s more like why shouldn’t you. Once you have identified who you are, plus what you want to be, it’s time to put things into action. What better way than by courageously communicating your aspirations.
Standing up to any fears or doubts, ready to overcome any objections or obstacles asserting your truth aligns your intentions with your thoughts and vocalizing them can catapult yourself forward in making your goals becoming reality.
Tuesday we also spent reviewing the slideshow in my mind as we shared a conversation called, “Revisiting My Relocation”.
When last we spoke, I mentioned that some changes had been occurring for me.
Major ones.
All positive and very “Becoming”.
What else could the result be? Since we know, “Faith Overcomes Fear”.
Faith afterall is the assurance of things we hope for, but have not yet received. Faith is also the confidence, belief and trust in things that are not seen. Faith must be present before a prayer can be answered.
Faith is hard work, but its rewards are truly remarkable.
So remarkable in fact it altered the course of my journey, opening up infinite new possibilities in a place I never expected to be. That’s true both literally and metaphorically.
As today’s headline does more than suggest I have relocated. Picked up, moved and changed my residence and vantage point.
It happened quickly though I have known in my heart since mid July it would happen. I knew I had a major change ahead of me, though I had none of the details.
I did not view my mini vacation as anything near a metaphysical experience, but as the planned three days turned into 11, there was no doubt much more lay ahead of me.
It wa during that journey when I had a chance encounter with a woman of prominence. She walked up and spoke to me. That’s when I just blurted out I was on ”my own revival trip”.
In that brief moment of complete vulnerability and honesty I realized that’s what it was and I was being led to some deep questions and answers.
For 11 days I appeared to be wandering, but was being guided, my every step directed.
I appeared to be traveling alone and never was.
Most thought I was exploring the “wilderness”, but rather it was leaving no stone unturned in me.
It was a long overdue expedition, far more than a temporary diversion I thought I needed. In retrospect it truly was a tour of my soul, an examination of self, community, the world in general and how I need to be relating to humanity.
At that time I shared with you that, “My Revival” has reinforced my calling to be an ambassador. An envoy of all the possibilities that exist for ourselves and each other. To be an emissary of what we should expect and where to seek (and receive) the answers.
We can all find them, but first there is something required of each of us. To take a proverbial leap of faith.
AsI have come to know, in “Becoming”, you need to bypass your mind. Detach from those lingering thoughts , worries, and distractions. Find that peaceful place and in solitude to make the decision to take action for yourself.
Make the decision to follow your heart and take action on what you know for yourself, what you want to achieve and the Truth.
Just make a decision to listen to your heart and heed your intuition. Your heart is programmed by God. Your mind by other people. Choose love and the path revealed will lead you to your true purpose, your destiny, the life you were intended to live.
The power to do it. The power to achieve it all is within.
Midweek brought about our current weekly Wednesday odyssey, that I describe as our search and rescue mission for wisdom. In “The Virtues of Wisdom”, together we undertook a study of Proverbs 17.
This chapter opens with some kindly offered advice, “A simple, humble life with peace and quiet is far better than an opulent lifestyle with nothing but quarrels and strife at home”.
Sure sounds very “Becoming” to me.
As a way of explaining for us what to expect when seeking to live virtuously, verse three cautions, “In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire, the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life”.
This is a lesson also instructed in 2nd Timothy 3-12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,…”. However, as we’ve previously studied in Proverbs 3 verses five and six, as written in the N-I-V, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”.
In The Passion Translation, verse five was recorded as, “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make”.
So while our lives will never be without challenges, we shall become empowered to overcome them. How? By accepting the wisdom offered in Phillipians four, “Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind”.
As we continue reading together we see in verse 15 another reference that has timely impacts on our current realities. The verse is quote, “There is nothing God hates more than condemning the one who is innocent and acquitting the one who is guilty”.
There are any number of instances, ‘ripped from the headlines’ in which we see these actions occurring. There lies a challenge.
It’s not ours to seek retribution as the often misquoted scripture in the King James Version is actually, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”.
Too often we hear the edited retort used as a justification for revenge or attack as ‘vengeance is mine saith the Lord’. Those editing some important words whether through malicious intent or false knowledge, believe it gives them an authority to be judge and jury.
However that is simply not true as the NIV version reads, with more modern language to aid our shared understanding this same verse of Romans 12:19 is written as, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”.
Still clinging onto to the false interpretation, well as further evidence here is how it is explained in the T-P-T, “Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice.For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord”.
Ultimately He is the final authority and wisdom teaches us that God is our Vindicator.
Thursday was a lot about preparing to approach this coming Monday. In “11 Steps Towards Becoming”, we revisited many foundational principles I’ve shared over the past nearly 20-months of our shared path.
We discussed a multitude of topics, allowing you to perhaps pick and choose from the ones that spoke to you in the moment or are calling you now. These included:
#3 My Revival
#5 Transitioning Faith Transforming Fear
#10 Who Are “They”?
#11 It’s Up To You
That brings us to today.
The quality of our lives is determined by knowing who we are and what we want to be Becoming.
The only one who can determine that is you. So we’ll wrap up with some more questions for you:
What do you value?
What is truly important to yo?;
How do you motivate yourself?
What do you really want out of life? ( Not what others want of you, not what some say you should, but truly what you want).
What are your greatest talents or skills?
Which of your talents gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction?
What are your biggest weaknesses?
What do you do to overcome ( grow beyond) them?
What are the values dearest to your heart?
How is the “public you” different from the “private you”?
What are you most proud of in your life to date? Why?
What do you hope to achieve in life?
What three things would you like to change most about yourself?
I promised it would involve some work today, but if you were not willing to accept the challenge, then I suspect you wouldn’t be reading this now. Do the work, devote some time and be honest with yourself. Pray for guidance and the support you need, the enlightenment you desire will be revealed.
Yesterday our conversation turned to “Reigniting”. Which in many ways is where I again find myself.
This week I’ve been sharing from some deeply personal lessons. I’ve noted, “isn’t it ironic that you are asked to be the strongest when you feel the weakest?”.
There have been extended periods of time where I was trying to battle physical issues to keep up with day to day tasks. As I struggled with my inability to perform I had no choice but to reflect on why I may be going through this. I still really don’t have all the answers and probably never will but certainly I knew what it would take to overcome.
Time. And trust. I needed to slow down on some of the busy work and use this time to reflect upon deeper issues.
So I did. While it did take much effort and determination for me to steady myself, regain my strength and clear my vision, I reached a point of knowing it was time to reignite!
It involves steadfast effort to begin moving beyond the circumstances of past cycles and sincere commitment to say ‘I am ready to move forward’. Remembering that we should not focus on the challenges, rather our attention and energies need to be directed on faith.
So that is what I am working on steadfastly determined to my own reigniting, again. Yes it is a cyclical process of life.
So let’s agree to accept the explanation of reigniting for our purposes as:
“Actively and accepting the beginning of new energies, lighting our path seeking new life, allowing our passions to suddenly burn again.”
Yes, I am ready to renergizean d refocus. I am reclaiming my power, ready to leap forward into the light and radiate brighter than before.
To start “Becoming”, you need to bypass your mind. Detach from those lingering thoughts , worries, and distractions. Find that peaceful place and in solitude to make the decision to take action for yourself.
Make the decision to follow your heart and take action on what you know for yourself, what you want to achieve and the Truth. Just make a decision to listen to your heart and heed your intuition. Your heart is programmed by God. Your mind by other people. Choose love and the path revealed will lead you to your true purpose, your destiny, the life you were intended to live.
The power to do it. The power to achieve it all is within.
Listen to it.
Follow it
Expect it.
Grow with it, then you are “Becoming”.
I pray you are enjoying a safe and blessed weekend. Spend some time to reflect and refocus and then come Monday choose to join us again for our next edition of “Becoming Today”.
Thanks again for joining us and since it is the weekend, I thought I’d take a moment and share a musical interlude:
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 
2 thoughts on “Reigniting Revival With Wisdom”