Yeezy Said What?

So I’ve been watching the Kanye West documentary and the first two episodes (Vision & Purpose respectively) are phenomenal! Now, we all know Mr. West has some issues today, mainly as a result of losing his Mom (in my opinion), but when you see the beginning of his journey leading up to the release of his debut CD ‘High School Dropout’ it really provides some nuggets that we all can apply to our own personal journey. 

Don’t Let Others Redefine the Vision God Gave You. 

Kanye started out in the industry as a producer but he always knew he was a rapper also. Damon Dash and Rocafella Records only viewed him as a producer and tried to just keep him in that box. Through many closed doors Kanye kept pushing because he knew the vision he had for himself and what God gave him. 

Likewise, you know what God told you and you know the vision God gave to you, so, it is a must that you walk in it. No matter what the naysayers say, or the box people will try to put you in (i.e. small boxes, boxes of your past, etc.) you have to move the way that God told you to move. Everybody is not going to see your vision and that’s okay, but, you have to remain clear on it and stand firm in it. 

When You Move in Purpose, God Dispenses His Favor!

Doors closed and opportunities seemed to disappear around Kanye but he continued to move in his purpose. As he did that, God began to dispense His favor! Rocafella closed the studio off to Kanye to record so he borrowed studio time from other artists, Jamie Foxx opened up his home studio, and even a connect he had at MTV let him come in after business hours and use their equipment. 

When you move full speed ahead in your purpose God will dispense His favor and open doors no man can shut! God is always right there even when circumstances look grim, God never leaves or forsakes us. Whenever God tells you to do something or move in a particular direction, He will always send provision. God will fund His vision. It may not be in the way you envisioned it to be but God rarely does what we think He will do; He specializes in the supernatural! 

You MUST be a Faith Walker!

The very fact that this documentary exists is evidence of a true faith walk. Kanye had his friend film his journey long before we even knew his name. This is faith in its purest sense! He left Chicago and came to New York to pursue his dream. Simultaneously his friend who filmed much of the documentary I have watched so far, up and left his career as a comedian to follow Kanye and document this journey - a faith walk! As a result, it opened many doors and film opportunities for him and a business partner. 

You must walk by faith and not by sight. If you strictly go by what you see, you will never realize your full potential! What you see may indicate that the finances are not there but your faith tells you that ‘with God all things are possible’. Your sight may tell you that you don’t have enough experience to start that business but your faith tells you that ‘you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you’. This doesn’t cancel out training and development for whatever it is you may want to do but it does say that you can put your full confidence in Christ to lead you through to the next level! 

Extra Nugget

As an extra note, his first single from his debut CD was “Through the Wire” which sampled Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire”. Things were looking up for his career and then he was in a near fatal car accident that broke his jaw and and caused his mouth to be wired shut. Instead of getting down and giving up, he kept pushing, determined to continue his rapping career: Through the Wire! 

Remember, you can learn things from anyone, even Yeezy! Don’t let judgment block you from receiving the nugget you need to propel you into your next! 

No Fear Zone

I’m buzzing with excitement and a pinch of nervousness as the day of my first virtual event has arrived - Girrrl Get Empowered! It feels really good to have gotten this far with this particular accomplishment. This event was actually supposed to happen last year. I created my flyer and I put it out there and it was like ‘crickets’ in social media land because only one person signed up! I was already hesitant in moving forward and then, once it got out there, no one signed up! I had speakers scheduled and I even had a DJ for a virtual party! As a result of what I perceived as low interest, I canceled the event. 

As I think back I wish I had moved forward with it. Honestly, part of it may have been that a lot of people wait until the last minute to sign up for things/events. However, at the heart of the matter - I let fear set in. It felt safer to cancel than to move forward and have the event actually be successful! Fear is a powerful tool that wreaks havoc in your life if you succumb to it. 

Fear immobilized me. I was so scared of this event failing that I didn’t even try again for a whole year! Have you ever been there? You know what God told you to do but because you were fearful you didn’t move. You know that God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear but you still can’t seem to shake it! So you don’t move at all. This was me. Tough on the outside, scared to death on the inside. 

How did I get moving again? 

I had to stare fear in the face and tell it literally to get out of my face - NOW! I had to gain what the lion sought after in the Wizard of Oz - courage. Joshua 1:9 says, “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”. This is how reading this Scripture went for me: 

“Have I not commanded you?” - Wait, Whet? Lord, for real? Yeah you did tell me that, I don’t know where my head and heart has been

“Be strong and of good courage” - Yeah, I know you right God - I ain’t no punk in the Spirit! 

“Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed” - Right, Right….

“For the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER you go” - wherever I go and whatever I do - God you are right there! 

Ok Lord - Let’s Do This!!! 

After this crazy conversation with my Father - I moved full speed ahead and now the day is finally here! This time I wasn’t concerned about who registered because I was doing what God told me to do. If it ended up being 3 people, we were going to minister to one another in Jesus name! However, you know when the Lord does it, He does it well! Almost 50 ladies have registered and I have 5 speakers on deck!! God blessed me to have 5 entrepreneurs gift me with 5 door prizes and I have a small team of help for the event!! 

When the Lord tells you to move, don’t be immobilized by fear but rather, move by the power of the Holy Spirit and go forth in what the Lord instructs you to do! When you move, He makes provision! 

Girrrl Get Empowered, we in a NO FEAR ZONE!!!

Just Move!

What a year! 

Almost a year ago, my family suffered a great loss in the passing of my brother. My heart goes out to all those who are going through the process of grief even as we still go through. The thing about grief is that it can immobilize you. It may immobilize you totally or just in certain areas. For me, I didn’t have the desire to write which is why I haven’t posted on my beloved blog in almost a year. Although I didn’t write, I stayed close to family, friends, and most importantly, in God’s presence. Whether teaching my Sunday School class or having quiet time at home, I’ve been able to just commune with God and let Him heal my broken heart. 

Then something clicked. 

I can’t tell you exactly what it is or as ironic as it sounds, I can’t even put it into words but something clicked to where I put one foot in front of the other to: 

Do - Produce - Create - and Move. 

I posted something recently that said, “There are only two options: Make progress or make excuses”. It resonated with me and I didn’t want 2022 to be the same as other years. Even though everything isn’t exactly where I want it to be, I remembered a sermon that I heard from a visiting preacher and in it he said, “God specializes in moving targets”! So I figured I’d just get moving! I may not do everything right or have it all figured out but I figured I’d just move! 

I want to encourage each of you to just move - trust God and move in faith! You may not know where you will land, but, have faith that God will be with you. God says in Psalms 37:23 (NLT), “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives”. God is concerned about you, your life, your dreams, and your aspirations. So just move - God’s got you!