Welcome to the June 21st edition of Faith & Life Lessons.
You will see this email full of tidbits from my week. My goal is simple. I hope that from how I live my life, you can find a thing or two that helps you as you try to live a life that matters. I am always trying to do one thing - make Christ-focused decisions in love, work, and life. And this was my week.
The Story of My Week.
What makes a season of life different?
Nothing.
Everything.
You listen to preachers declare from the pulpit that you have entered your new season.
What they mean is that this is the season of easy results.
Everybody shouts Amen.
But is that true? Have we all entered into a new season?
Yes, we all have. No, we may not have all entered the kind of season the preacher-man is talking about.
Our times are in God's hands. He determines the individual seasons we all have to go through.
Our seasons are different, but it doesn't mean either is better if we are all faithful.
Why did I start my week's reflection like this?
Because I am seeing an interesting pattern in the current season of life I am in.
A number of opportunities for visibility and collaboration have been coming my way…some unsolicited.
One of those such invitation came with this description - "This group is established as an advisory & strategic leadership team, given the distinct mandate to address the intersection of Business and Faith."
On Saturday, I got accepted into another group that God suddenly pushed me into. This was a bit interesting.
Two Sundays ago, I just got the little wake-up to apply to join the group. On Monday, I started the process but stopped. Someone from the administrative office of the group called me to let me know that if they were about to have the mandatory training for new members the week after and if I completed the registration that week, I would make the training and meet the July induction if the leadership team was OK with my profile.
I asked, "When's the next induction if I don't make this one?" End of the year.
I didn't think God spurred me to take things easy. I got all the necessary documents and information to make the submission deadline, and now I am up for induction in July.
This new season is not because of what I did. It is because of the seasons of preparation that have happened before.
More than that. It is because of the story God is writing. Not just for me. For all of us.
We all play a part.
I play my part. Based on the season of life God is crafting for me.
Things I Learned
1-I am Different: A couple of things happened that reaffirmed why I show up every day at work. No, I won't go into details.
Truth be told, the details are not what you need. What you need is what makes me different. I did that a while back…a couple of years.
This is my difference-maker creed.
I call it my fully formed image.
I am a solution provider.
I bring answers to the questions that many have been asking.
I am the one sent by God specifically for the challenges that the people I meet have been facing.
I bring spiritual and wise solutions to the problems of the world.
My life as a reflection of my faith in Christ Jesus makes me one of a kind.
I shine my light on the world so that the world becomes more of the light that I bring.
This makes me different.
2-Moving Slowly With Speed: Over the past year, I have been working with my spiritual director, supporting him with a group of men he is discipling.
Over the weekend, we had a close-out retreat. I joined via Zoom.
One of the things I shared was how God had been teaching me to move slowly with speed.
Two contradictions if you look at them on their own.
Moving slowly means taking the time to understand my season and follow the rhythm God is playing.
And speed?
God gives that…if I give God the seed to do it.
This is how I am moving slowly with speed.
Postscript
May your ears be open to what God is teaching you. Amen
If this encouraged you, please share it with a friend who needs it. And if you are not subscribed yet, make sure you are on the list so you do not miss the next one.
Tola Akinsulire
Helping Christians excel at work and in life without the overwhelm but with peace and rest
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