The Awakening Series: Leaving the Sidelines

At some point, you need to come out of hiding.

New week, new letter! Hey everyone welcome to a new week. Hope you’ve had a great week so far and if not I hope today’s newsletter brightens up your mood. In case you missed it, we have an ongoing series titled the awakening, and today’s our last newsletter for the series! If you missed the posts on the series catch up here:

The Awakening Series: Navigating the Wait

The Awakening Series: Being Hidden

Now let’s get into today’s encouraging word! 🏆

You can choose to see yourself as a victorious even in the hardest of circumstances. Often times it may feel like the walls are caving in and everything that can go wrong, then goes wrong and you’re faced with the reality of your circumstances. We all hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but what happens when you’re struggling to believe there’s even a glimer in sight? What happens when circumstances occur and they seem to be a repitition of previous experiences? What I’ve found very useful, is adopting the mindset of a victor. It’s very easy to victimise ourselves when faced with difficult circumstances and it is understandable. But can we take a minute to reframe? Instead of why is this happening to me, can we consider what could be in store in the circumstance that could be for our good? When we’re passing through the trials of life, it’s very easy and tempting to throw in the towel and it is completely understandable. But today I want to encourage you to adopt the mindset of a victor. This is a process that we cannot go through alone, and renewing my mindset with the Bible always sees me through. In times of hardship, it’s important we speak life into every situation we face regardless of how messy it may seem. It’s not over till its over.

🎙️Unpacking Lessons in Seasons:

Rhieme Recommends: 💌

Interview: ‘Having the Courage to Pivot’ by Uncovered Conversations: In this interview, I spoke with Delphine Chui who shared more on her journey and navigating transitions. I highly recommend reading it, given our newsletter today!

The Awakening Series— Leaving the Sidelines

Leaving the Sidelines & Emerging

Over the past two newsletters, we’ve unpacked two important phases on our journeys: waiting for the right time to take action and navigating hiddeness. These are phases I believe we would all pass through but today I’d be focusing on exposure. As important as it is to not skip the process of quiet seasons and staying in the background, it is also important to be able to discern when the seasons have changed and when it is time to step out in a new capacity. There comes a time where the work we have done behind the scenes, will need to be put into practice, in the spotlight. I see the spotlight as a place where we have more exposure, opportunities and generally more eyes on us. It can be nerve racking when you’ve become accustomed to serving behind the scenes, but you’re not meant to be in the background forever. At some point it will be time to move from the sidelines to the frontlines and begin to emerge.

I don’t believe we are the ones who determine when this transition takes place, I believe only God truly knows if we are ready for more. Times and seasons are in His hands, and ultimately we are not the ones who determine when it’s time for our next level. I think it’s important I draw emphasis on this, because it’s very easy for us to attempt to orchestrate when our time of hiding is over. This could look like starting projects we were never meant to, engaging in busyness rather than alignment with God and generally determining our timelines because we may feel we have been waiting for too long. Don’t get me wrong, it is certainly important that we set actionable goals and deadlines, but there’s a difference between doing this and disregarding God’s sovereignty in our lives. There are many things to do, but very few are permissible in different seasons of our lives.

These two verses always serve as a reminder for me:

Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”.

Zechariah 4:6 “It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God”

But you may be wondering — why is it important to leave the sidelines?

When God is moving us from a place of obscurity to increased exposure, I believe one of the primary reasons is for His purposes to be fulfilled. Each of us, are messages to our generation— whether young or old, you are here for a reason. In the grand scheme of things, we all have a part to play in God’s will being fulfilled on earth and it’s important we acknowledge this. As Dr Myles Munroe said, when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse comes in. When we’re unaware of why we are here, it’s easy to be motionless and treat our lives without intention.

This is an excerpt from an interview I hosted on Uncovered Conversations. Read it in full here.

In Your Weakness There Is Still Beauty

I’ve been thinking about the story of Moses in the Bible recently and was struck by how inadequate he felt when God instructed Him to deliver the Israelites. He was a stammerer and had never embarked on a journey like what God was calling him to do. As you read this, some of you might see part of yourself in the story of Moses. You might have an understanding that God has called you to embark on journeys that are completely new to you and outside of your control and so uncertainty creeps in. Will things work out? Will people take you seriously as you launch that business? Volunteer at a school? Set up that organisation? Questions, questions, questions. All valid, but what I’m coming to realise and accept is, God isn’t expecting perfection from us, but rather obedience. In your stammering, stuttering, fear of crowds, social anxiety etc is a person God wants to empower and use you for His purposes. Where you have felt voiceless, insecure etc, God is ready to meet you where you are, He is doing a new thing and will empower you for the journey ahead.

When we partner with God, He takes our areas of weakness and uses it. We don’t need to put pressure on ourselves to show up in a certain way, instead we need to rely on God for strength and His guidance with every task He has called us to fulfill. Your inadequancies are not unknown to God and yes He has still chosen you in spite of them. Will you say yes?

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared us in advance to do”.

Will you Respond to the Call?

For every call, there is a response and people on the other side of your obedience. Each of us are here as solutions to our generation for such a time as this. It’s important we take our place in our respect fields, whether that be in government, business, education, media etc, there is a place(s) carved out for you and it yours for the taking. There are various ways for us to understand our place in life. For some of us we may know it through issues that burden our hearts, unique circumstances we have passed through, unusual opportunities that present themselves etc. God can show us His path for our lives in a myriad of ways and it’s important we bear this in mind. On the note of responding to the call, we also have to remember that responding could look different for everyone. For some, you may sow seeds for years before people begin to note your efforts in an area, it may happen faster for others. Regardless of how long it takes, what matters is you are obedient. At the right time, God will lift you.

An excerpt from ‘Appointment with Destiny’ by Jumoke Adenowo

So — What is Holding you Back?

For some it could be the fear of failure when presented with opportunities or having more eyes on you. I completely understand and what gives me perspective is choosing to focus on Jesus no matter the crowd. We see it time and time again in scripture, when Jesus performed miracles, He was never driven by the crowd, but rather His assignment. Once He fulfilled what He ought to per time, He retreated and prayed. Through this, I believe we have a beautiful example set on how to respond to increase. This could look like increase in opportunities, influence, people to steward over etc. Keep your eyes on Jesus when those doors of opportunities open up, He will guide you every step of the way. I remember when I hosted the Uncovered Conversations event in 2022, it was a massive step for me but focusing on God at the time kept me grounded.

Change your Garments

So far in this newsletter, we have unpacked the importance of preparation, acknowledging the need to take our place in life and more. An area I want to draw our attention to, is changing our garments and it’s inspired by Joseph’s story in the Bible. As we enter into new seasons, sometimes we may physically need to change our outward appearance. Sometimes we may not realise that how we carry ourselves can be a reflection of our past that we need to release. I see changing our garments as including our dressing but also going as far as how we choose to show up in life generally. Take Joseph for example, when he was called upon by the king, he had to change his clothes to be fitting for the occassion of speaking to the king. But the real question is —what does this mean for you? For example, entrepreneurs, you may need a physical re-brand. Could it be revamping your social media? Vocalising your skillset more? Of course, this should be done all within reason and the timing is crucial. But as much as it’s important we discern when to be quiet, we also should know when the gears have switched and it’s time for emergence.

So even as we wrap up today’s newsletter and our series, I hope it has met you where you are. Remember this — your life’s path is yours for a reason. Often times we may wonder why our lives play out the way they do. The ‘why’ behind having to go through certain experiences, circumstances and so on. But all things are truly working together for our good.

🌟Gentle reminder

Excerpt from — ‘Testament: The Story of Moses’ on Netflix

🌟Here’s a short prayer as we step into this week!

Prayer: “Jesus thank you for how far you have brought me, and the ground that is yet to be covered. Lord strengthen me for the journey ahead, even when I don’t understand how you are guiding me, help me to rely on you fully. Amen”.

Welcome to the month of April! As always share your thoughts with me and feel free to send me a message if you’ll like to discuss further.

And see you next week. ♥️