The last few weeks have been busy and I’m realizing my old social media plan and schedule no longer work. 🫠
I didn't want to waste time finding a solution so I drafted an updated schedule and then used ChatGPT to optimize it (hey AI!). Now we're making changes with how we’ll build brand awareness, build a robust pipeline of leads, and nurture our clients and community that are more aligned with our life and capacity now. What a blessing from the simple decision to pay attention to the signs it was time for a shift in how we operate.
When we surrender, it isn't a one time event. It is a decision we make every day in every area of our lives to listen and follow God's leading. Just like Fall we must release the places, people, plans, and practices that no longer align with the life and business we want to lead. We must reset our approach so that we are walking in the path God has for us at this moment in our lives. When we do this, surrender and reset, we can sustain the success we’ve achieved so far, and prepare for the growth we’re praying for in a way that feels good! 🥰
The more I do this, the more I'm learning what it means (practically) that our walk with God is a process and journey we only finish when we see Him in Heaven. He allows things to happen in our lives to purify our hearts, motives, circles, and thinking. We’re always maturing, always growing, always learning more about His Character. Every instance we're obedient to His leading positions us more precisely in His Will. It positions us to trust God more.
How can we practically surrender?
PRAYER
This is one of the Christian's strongest weapons. Prayer is a direct line to God to share our hopes, fears, adoration, desires, thanks, and questions. It is the way we have conversations with our Heavenly Father and one of the ways He speaks to us.
When things feel overwhelming, confusing, or unclear remember Hebrews 4:16 KJV "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
COURAGE
To be in this world and love and lead like God is radical behavior - rebellious even! God's approach to family, community, and leadership focuses on service and empathy first, and requires integrity in how we move and operate. It means that we will have to be fierce in our commitment to do business God's way and to exhibit love to those who may make it difficult for us to do so.
When things ahead seem daunting we must step forward with courage to lead the way by example, remembering Joshua 1:6-9 NKJV, "6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
CONFIDENCE
Thank God we don't have to know it all. Why? Because He does! In a culture that frowns upon mistakes, God gives us a safe place to learn and grow - shortfalls, uh-ohs, dern it!s, and all. We can place our confidence and trust in Him who knows all and orchestrates every part of our lives. He invites us to walk with Him, to give Him space to grow us from "glory to glory."1 Knowing this, we can remove the pressure of perfectionism and replace it with confidence in our partnership with God to lead and live well.
When we feel we aren't enough and the challenge or opportunity in front of us seems to large to manage, remember Jeremiah 17:7-8 KJV, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." and Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV "25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared."
So let's take on every challenge, setback, and opportunity for growth with prayer, courage, and confidence knowing that God can, and He will, walk with us through it to the growth He has for us on the other side.
📌What have you felt led to surrender or reset this month? Share with me in the comments or in a private note here.
With Joy In Purpose,
Dr. Lorin Carter
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Footnotes:
1 - 2 Corinthians 3:18 | KJV 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. | AMP 18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.
(Photo is from our women’s Bible Study kickoff at church! 📚)
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#reset #endofanera #newbeginnings #Godsaid #businessseasons #leadershipjourney #thrive #milestonebirthday #prosperingpersonallyandprofessionally
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