As I write, I am reminded of the Sims game that I used to play in middle school and a little in high school. While playing that game, you would create a person or a whole family, build their personalities, pick out their clothes and design their house. You would make sure they had necessities such as food, furniture, appliances, etc. then you would make them live. When they become live, you would try to make them do certain things like work or exercise or go different places.Often times, my Sims characters would rebel against the plans I had for them and would do their own thing, causing trouble for them, or consequences.
Through this game, I learned that our lives with God are very similar to the way the Sims game is run. God is our creator. He knows us by name, and even the hairs on our heads are numbered(Matthew 10:30). He created us in his image...He made our personalities...He knows what makes us happy or sad, excited or somber. He strategically allows certain circumstances to arise in our lives to see if we will carry on in the path He made for us, or if we will divert and make our own way. He has guidelines for us to follow to keep us from trouble, however, lots of times we assume that our plans are better, causing us to doubt the Creator, as if He didn't create the WHOLE universe. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11, which states:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Let me tell you about myself for a moment....
Ya'll, I got tired of being stagnant, working on my own path. I was so lost, everything was so difficult. I was just like the characters on the Sims, rebelling against God, further causing negative consequences for my actions. Nothing was going the way I wanted it to, I was TOTALLY LOSING!! So, I decided to realign myself in the way of the Lord. I repented and I asked our father to lead and direct me. I needed Him to show me what I needed to do. I asked Him was my purpose in life was and what job He wanted me to pursue, (because I HATED my job at the time), and I placed it ALL back in the hands of God. Clearly, my way was not working. When I relinquished my rights to the Father, I gave him free will to rule and reign over my life and that is when the peace and blessings began to flow for me. I am no longer drifting through life like a ship without a sailor I am soooo thankful that through my obedience to God's will, I hear Him clearly speak in my life. I know exactly what my purpose is and where I am headed. The father wants to prosper me, and I'm gone let Him! (lol)
Now that I know where I'm going, I would like to share a major part with you. God placed it on my heart to begin blogging, last year, under the blog title of Journey to Destiny. Now that I have been blogging, he has required more of me, so Journey to Destiny, as God always intended is more than just my blog, it is a ministry. This ministry is to help women, regardless of their background or things that thy have done in the past, live healthy prosperous spirit filled and spirit lead lives. In this ministry, we will be out in the community spreading the love of Christ through evangelism, as well as community service, and just having a good time uplifting one another through pampering and fellowship. We are basically a sisterhood of saints driven in the mission of Christ to help each other on this Journey to Destiny.We have a clothes closet, food pantry, and a stock of necessities to give out to those in need (we are always taking donations as well).
My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God because this was not only a good idea and something needed for the community but it is a God idea, and I understand that I am not clever enough to have made this up or carry this out on my own with out God. I am also thankful for my board members, Carmeisha Miller, Samantha Harris and Shawn Hill for their continued support. And I also want to thank every one of you who takes time out of your busy lives to read these God inspired blogs! It really means a lot.
God has truly opened doors and show up in ways that I could not imagine to make this thing come to pass. Every bad moment in my past is being used to build my future and the future of other women. Everything that I have gone through was not in vain. None of the struggles I have endured have been just for me, but for those who have similar stories that need someone to just speak encouraging words to them and tell them that they will make it to the other side. The fact that I am a single mom shows all others who have that same experience that you can make it! God has given me a successful business, a non-profit, I am working on my masters degree & taking fitness trainer classes, and I still have time to be the best mother to Braydon that I can be, so YOU CAN TOO! Let him lead your life and He will have you straight WINNING!!!
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!!!!!
YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD OR TOO YOUNG TO PURSUE YOUR PURPOSE!!!!
Do not ever let anyone tell you that you can not do something that God has already given you the ability and the drive to pursue. With Him, ALL things are possible. So now I encourage you to really spend time with God and ask him to show you what his preordained plans are for your life. Desire what God has for you because His way is truly better. Be content with what you have, and don't be so quick to judge your life based on the life of others.He has gifted you with something AMAZING, and it is up to you to ask Him how you are to utilize it! Ask him to rid you of all the things that are hindering you on your Journey to Your Destiny!
Father, I pray even now for the readers of this blog, that you will clearly detail the plans you have for their lives and give them instructions on where to start and how to pursue you FIRST so that everything else will be added to them. Father, I pray for clear minds and hearts because I know that confusion is not of your spirit, but God, give them sound minds and the peace that passes all understanding. Allow them to make spirit lead decisions. Let your Holy Spirit freely reign in their lives and let them be open to you. Father I seal this prayer in Jesus' name, and I thank you now for every persons bad and good experiences to lead them on their Journey to Destiny...AMEN!
Just as I had to find myself in Christ, I am dedicated to helping others find their life in Christ as well. If you are interested in joining me in my efforts to promote the love of Christ in Anderson county, please leave a comment or emails us at journeytodestinyministry@gmail.com
Stay tuned, we have some EPIC things planned!!! :~)
Also, If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior, today is a good day to meet Him! He welcomes you with open arms so confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus died for our sins, and you will be saved!!! If you want to know more, leave a comment or email me personally, ximenasherard@gmail.com
I love you, but God loves you wayyyy more!!!
~Ximena
