Rewrite Your Story

I remember my first year of college. I was an electrical engineering major at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Go Golden Bears! Like most college freshmen, I invested much of my time studying...how to be free and have fun!  

My mom visited the campus for the closing exercise of a program I was in. The Dean of the school was at the awards ceremony, where I won the ‘Funniest Student’ award. I had so much fun during those days. After the ceremony, I listened in as my mom had a conversation with the Dean. She asked him, “Are there any scholarships available that Gary can apply for because we really can’t afford this.” I distinctly remember the Dean’s response, “Sorry, but he is not engineering material!”

Brokenhearted, I carried that statement with me for three years.  My determination, my motivation, my focus and my goal over those three years was to prove that clown wrong! I couldn’t believe someone would say such a thing about me.

I allowed that man’s negative statement to rule my life for three years. During my junior year, it dawned on me, I don’t even like electrical engineering! Why did I waste three years of my life?  I allowed someone else to write my life’s story for that time. I was emotionally battered and my grades suffered. With my senior year approaching, I made a drastic decision. I would change my major.  

I found something that I was really interested in; something that really drove me. I still use those skills today.  In fact, I’m using them right now as I write this entry.

I made a decision to write my own story. I remember at that moment allowing myself to be inspired by God to pursue what would offer Him glory and bring me happiness.

Wherever you are in life; whatever you are up against; whoever is against you; whatever you are going through; and wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, take a quiet moment right now and meditate on this: God, what is it that I can do right now to change the course of my life so you will be honored and I can be happy? Inspire me Jesus.

Whatever you were inspired to do, DO IT! Don’t wait. Fulfill your destiny!

Do not allow other’s negativity to write your life story for you.  Do not allow yourself to be trapped in some other authors narrative. With Jesus’ inspiration, start rewriting your life story today. And make it AMAZING!

I would love to read the story of your great turnaround. Share it below so that we all can be inspired.

Can we learn from a buoy?

Buoy - an anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for mooring.

Even though it has an anchor connected to it, it never sinks. Sometimes our problems and circumstances feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.  Sometimes it feels like we are being pulled down and we are all alone in this ocean of life. When we make that our focus or our priority of thought, we lose focus on what we were created for. Or we never realize how we are being used in our situations. You see, a buoy was created to sit alone in an ocean.  Without its weight, it would be tossed in whatever direction the current of life moved it. A buoy was designed to be a navigation mark which warns of hazards. It actually serves others. It helps others know when danger is ahead, because it lives in the open water.  It sees danger every day. It battles the current of the ocean everyday. It is hit with waves that try to drown it and sink it daily. 

You see, you are a buoy. You have been placed in the world for a specific purpose that serves others.  You have been placed where you are,  at this very moment, for the purpose of the creator; a purpose to serve others, to help others.  That may be in seeing the dangers that you have already been through; warning of troubling circumstances; or standing still to allow others to see how you deal with adversity, troubles and trials, or actively pursuing what is right in an environment of wrong. 

The buoy is weighted. It has been anchored so that it won’t be carried away whenever it is pushed, battered or bruised.  It will move, but it will not alter. It will stand for what it was created for, no matter what it faces. And when the waves of life beat it up, it doesn’t give up!  

Don’t give up!  No matter what you have gone through, are going through or will go through, pursue your purpose, stand firm against adversity; stand firm against what you know is wrong, not just for yourself, but for everyone who crosses your path. 

God has created you for a purpose.  He has placed you where you are, right now, to accomplish what He has destined you to do or to learn and be prepared for what he is planning for your future. 

I have been called to live as an example to break down the still present walls of segregation, discrimination, misunderstanding and hate in our world. That’s so hard! God has positioned me in a situation that is not comfortable. I never intended to live in the ninth most segregated city in the United States. I didn’t know that statistic before moving here. I also am a pastor at a predominantly white church. I am black and that population is less than two percent at this church. Convincing people to move out of their comfort zone and embrace what makes them uncomfortable is a challenge, but a necessary one to make this a better world. 

What is your calling, mission or purpose?  What challenges are you facing? What are you doing, in the midst of your circumstances to serve others?  

Leave a comment and let's start a discussion that will change this world!