~~In The Shadows of Unfamiliar Territory~~


It was a very rare Stradivarious violin, crafted in 1737 by Antonios Stradivari himself. Unlike Antonios who was Italian, Asia was born in a Country that enjoys autonomy and a capitalist economic system. A place where women did the least important jobs and men held all the power. A place where orphans were considered to be insignificant species. Yet, she held the violin in her soft hands and fit her fingers in the space between the wood and the hair. In her little world of music she was a master of the violin. She had managed to learn the art in the confines of secrecy, away from the disapproving eyes of her father.

In approximately five seconds she heard a knock on the door. A man with highlighted European features came into the room. "Asia, are you ready?"

"Yes," she whispered...almost afraid to shout. Maybe in the nearest distance her father could still hear her voice. But she stood up tall and followed the man to the stage. She began to play her violin. She played with so much skill, excellence, passion and intensity, such that no one could take their eyes off her. When she eventually looked up, she could not help but gasp. There were thousands of people standing up to give her an honorary applause. In the midst of voices cheering she heard a voice say, "Trust in God, for He has the power to bring you through the shadows of unfamiliar territory to fulfill your purpose." And then she woke up from the dream.

She had been dreaming about playing the violin for years, but she had no instructor, neither did she have the instrument. But today her decision was made, she was going to trust God to take her through this unfamiliar territory...whether she thought it was possible or not...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When last did you trust God to take you through the shadows of the unfamiliar? The unfamiliar zone is a place where you know your destiny lies but yet you have no skills to get there. A place that causes your creative juices to flow freely, but yet you have no connections. A profession where you know you belong, but yet you have no education. A rare art where people of your culture are not recognized...where you could be the first one, but you have not yet mastered it. A war you were designed to fight, but where you have no weapons.

You used to believe so much in your dream. Why did you stop believing? Why did you stop thinking that God can do the impossible with your life? That He can take you away from the familiar zone into the unfamiliar, and still use you for His glory? There is nothing new under the sun...years ago, Abram went through the same dilemma.

Now the LORD had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing..."
(Genesis 12:1-2)

Abraham did not know what land God was taking him to, but he took his family and left for the unknown. If you continue reading his story, there was a time when he unknowingly walked back to the place where he began his journey. Can you imagine? But his relentless spirit kept him going. At that point he didn't give up, instead he built an altar to worship God. So in your walk with God, even if you are taken back to where you started from, still trust in Him. Trust in the One who has the power to take you through the shadows of the unknown and use you for His glory, to shine as a Light.

Image copyright: woodboard/corbis.

ps: I had an indescribable experience at the conference. Sometimes words can't truly express how a person feels. But I plan to upload some of my mobile videos soon...:)

23 comments:

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Firrrrrsssst. Do the moonwalk, do the moonwalk, to the moonwalk.. lol..
Hope you had a good time @ the conference. back to string a proper sentence together. Just had to shot first ! :-))))

Afrobabe said...

2nddddddddddddd......I believe, I will leave it to God cos my decisions seem to throw me deeper into despare

The Activist said...

I am renewed. Thank YOU JAYCEE!!!

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Thanks for this post Jaycee - to be restless in spirit and still, feverently hold on to the trust and hope in God - is what it's all about. The resrlessness makes us hold unto to him much more stronger and closer. God bless ou Jaycee. Xx

Neer said...

wow!
keep the faith! and faith is the only light!

great post!

Parakeet said...

God bless you as you bless me!

Ayomipo Matthew Edinger said...

a blessing as always.

Vera Ezimora said...

Jaycee, I absolutely love this!!! You should see my eyes; they're tearing up 4 real. I love this piece. I connect 2 it on soooo many levels, u have no idea.

Straight from the heart said...

This is so good, thanks for an inspiring encouragement, being restless, draws us to our knees.

uNWrItten* said...

babes..either u are pretty good at history or you do a lot of research but i love the way you introduce your writings with something that we can understand..unfamiliar territory is an everyday thing because we dont know what tomorrow brings..we have to leave it all to HIM..

Allied said...

Faith is a powerful thing. Lord instill in me the right attitude to follow your word through.

David refused to allow Goliath's attitude to stand unchallenged. His victory came by the power of the Lord, not by man's might.

Lord remind me of this when i face own giants

Anonymous said...

JayCee the Stenographer :) lol ok i dont even know why i said that or its EXACT MEANINGS..lemme go check it up LOL!

God bless u darling..hope the hand is not too heavy to carry :)LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

BlogVille Idol said...

wow!!we are down to d final 5 on blogville idol..pls go over to our page and listen to d contestants sing pls vote and dont forget to leave us a kind comment

Simi Speaks said...

hey babes. how na?

Ms. emmotions said...

hmmm, please hurry up and upload the mobil vid gal,
howdy ?

Jennifer A. said...

Remi...yessss, I did have a good time. I've never experienced anything like it before...

Afrobabe...u know that scripture that says "Be still and know that He is God"? I read it somewhere this morning...that one liner always does wonders for me...and after u've done ALL that u know how to do, u just STAND a give God the full rein!

Standtall...so excited for u...lollll. Thank God.

Neers...wow, I love that statement "faith is the only light." Yet, light is faith mixed with many other good things! How r u dearie?

Parakeet...Amen!!! How have u been doing?

DisGodkidd...*hugs*

Vera...u made me say "wow" just now...may God's rod and staff guide you, even as u travel thru different roads...

Debbie...that's where we always end up, innit? Down on our knees...needing to trust God again...

Unwritten...ha ha...observant you!!! I actually did a little research before this post...yes, the unfamiliar territory is actually a familiar phenomenon. But with God, no territory is unfamiliar...haleluyah! Waiting for updates on ur escapades...lol.

Allied...I join u to say "Lord pls remind me of this when I need it most"...

Mimi...lolll...u made me hit the books too! So a stenographer is a writer of short-hand...lol. Nah, my hand is not too heavy...He's the One holding it...:)

Simi...Bodi dey inside cloth o. I've been crying for u to update...*hugs*

Ms. Emmotions...u won't believe what happened to my phone! It fell into WATER!!! So I'm waiting for my order for a new battery so I can use my phone again (the videos are on my phone)...I can't wait jo...woooooosaaaaaaa! Lol. How are u dearie?

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Lord I need you. More now than ever. Help me Oh Lord, for you have caused my steps to venture into this path. Father ernestly I ask you not to take your light from me, lest I fall in Darkness. Heavenly Father hear my cry.

Kafo said...

i love it
i was there with the applause and then she woke up

I should dream and let God fulfill

NikkiSab said...

Its been a while since i've been here. how av u been? Congrats on ur engagement luv. Wish u d best.

Ayomipo Matthew Edinger said...

i see u r online. can we chat? am online with ayomipo[at]gmail and eidaplusayo[at]hotmail. add me....

O'Dee said...

I have been blessed by this.

10ks.

How body?

Buttercup said...

that was truly inspirin...thankyou!

BlogVille Idol said...

We are down to d final two on blogville idol!!pls head over to d page and listen to ABBie & Dammy battle it out!!!pls listen to them and vote..we also have some guest bloggers singing!!u wanna know who they are??why dont u run to d idol page now!!and pls dont forget to leave us a kind comment!!