10 months thus far; things I'm learning

 

This comes from a place of motivation and a press in my Spirit. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit helps you see how this best relates with you, opens your eyes to understanding, and strengthens every one of us to go for all that he has called us to be. 

On the 1st of Dec 2020, I started my career as a Marketing & Communications Intern at one of the best Non Profit Organisation. It wasn’t so easy. It was obviously beyond an internship. Before the days of this internship, I have known that Christians are on assignments and God is counting on us to establish policies of righteousness; however, this keeps getting clearer as I go on. My goal is to make this write-up as conversational as possible, please read with your ear opened.

I walked into this organization with fears. I knew this was a passion that God had dropped in my heart, but there were some things not right about me. At the time I started working, I wasn’t psychologically, spiritually and every other “-lly” prepared. Subconsciously, I found myself comparing myself with people even though I was super sure that I am on the right path.  It was the kind of organization I imagined and hoped for as an undergraduate and this was me in this same organization after a year. Very funny.

There were times when I felt,  “God can we just call it quits? Can this cup just pass over me? Why do I have to talk? Why do I have to engage?”. I had so many questions that I pondered on and it birthed more anxiety in me. There were many times I cried secretly because of my fears, pain and doubts; it was tough;  but trust me, it birthed an unexplainable strength and trust in God.

A lot changed about me after a particular program in my church (Reboot Camp 2020). The Holy Spirit took off the weight of bitterness I had against a person and strengthened me for the next phase. Honestly, this way, I became better for life. 

One morning, I was in the office and I asked God some questions about some things He told me.  He replied, “Don’t say No to any task given to you”. I was scared. I knew it was time to be totally broken. I was not meant to be in the office on that day but I came because someone was leaving and I needed clarification on some things. Everything was happening so fast and that day our director asked me a question that required a yes or no answer, and there I remembered God’s words, verse, and instruction to me that very morning. This was a game-changer for me, and in 10 months so far on this assignment, here are things I’m learning and need to share: 

1.         I am not an Intern, and even now that I work as a Marketing & Communications Officer, I am still not a Marketing & Communications Officer. I actually am who God has called me to be and so I work with this mentality even as I get my work done. When God called Jerimiah a prophet unto nations, Jerimiah said he was a child but God said “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”(Jerimiah 1:5). If God says you are a prophet unto nations, own up to it and stop seeing yourself as just a role. While you execute tasks in that role, walk in the consciousness of God on your inside. On the times I admit the graces from God on my life, I see them having their way in my writings, my actions, and even the way I talk and dress.  But on those times I let myself stay ordinary, I also see how that ordinary action plays out. It’s important for us to own up to the graces and callings on our lives, it helps you see why you’re in that office and play your part better. 

2.                  I am on an assignment: We have to work with this mindset; with this fact. Personally, it helps me do things right and stand up when I feel lazy.  There's war! While others are working solely for appraisal and benefits, it is demeaning to me, you and our God to make those things the core center of our lives. Make no mistake, I really like money but I've come to notice that making “money” or “materialistic things” our drive, makes us focus on the minor and belittles the way we see God.  Think people. Think structure. See changes that needs to be made. Partner with God in the place of prayer, settle matters in the place of prayer and be bold to speak when God will have you speak. 

3.                  I am growing to trust in the Lord even more: We live in a world, not a castle. Living in this world is dicey. Just like we are building walls to make things work, there are children of the devil who want to bring them down through different means  - we have to know this and trust that no matter the manipulative schemes or selfish motives of men, God will always flex his muscles on our behalf.

4.                  I’m learning to identify genuine children of light and to partner with them even in contrary times: One of the biggest things I am learning is to stay on the side of God’s children even when they are wrong. This is because you belong to the same kingdom, and siblings cannot disown each other even in times of chaos. There were several instances where King Saul tried to kill David but David would always escape. What touches me most about David is that he knew Saul didn’t deserve to be treated like a king or be dispensed loyalty, but he couldn’t bring himself to dishonor King Saul. What of when King Saul died?  I’m not sure what the person who brought the news to David felt when he was coming but I don’t think he envisaged something as deep as death (2 Sam 1:13-14); this is to explain to us how much of a defence we need to give our people. We can’t afford to be ridiculed by people with false gods, false power. David said in 1 Sam 1:20 “Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.” So one beautiful thing we can do is intercede for them. Whether they are right or wrong, intercede. 

 If you are ready to walk this way, the Lord will stir in you a sacred kind of loyalty and uncommon likeness towards someone or people you have to do life with. Notice I didn't say career, I said life. You’re in that sector, that department, that office, that role for a reason. Make it count.