Why I Do the Things I Do:


Reach for the stars, even if you have to stand on a cactus. -Susan Longacre.
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Nonfiction.

In my lifetime, there has always been a silver lining at the end of every cloud which has ventured to glide through my way. It wasn't that I was always searching for God, but He was searching for me. Somehow, in my twenty four years of existence, I have been moved countless number of times, by a mighty invisible hand. I have not been able to comprehend with a human compass what the direction of the wind is, but the thing is that I have been moving in the direction of its unfamiliar torrents, like a flimsy piece of paper that gets carried away in a forceful September wind.

The Silver Linings:

If you stretch your almost 20/20 vision, you will see it. You will see that a cloud is not really black, but only just an imagination of blackness, dullness, and a lack of excitement. But if you dare to study the mysterious contours of the formation of a cloud, you may find it to be rather exciting. I can describe it as 'the multiple convolutions of tiny molecules of water which are creating sweet harmonious rhythm from the chemical process of evaporation.' In my own mind, I have just formed a rhythmic melody for clouds which were deemed uninteresting in a previous era. In the same fashion, I do what I do (glorifying God with my pen) because I have dared to see my life as a convolution of miracles, rather than a boring cycle of 'almost-achievements.'

So instead, these days when I go outside in the morning, I do not see dead trees, dead forests, or dead people, but rather I see that these living elements remain the way they are ("alive") because they have a Master Craftsman who silently preserves them in their own beauty. So I praise God!
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And instead, when it takes a darn long time for me to assume a position higher than where I am today, I see that a million days in my eyes are just like one day in the eyes of my Father. So I wait on God, and I praise Him again!

Still instead, when I fail...especially with two points from the cut-off mark (which I have so skillfully done in my past), I cry...but only for a while. Because after a while, I begin to understand that God has the master plan of my life. I begin to remember that I once prayed that God should 'order my steps according to His word.' And so I rise up again, because now I know that all that happens to me only makes me a person with a STRONGER character. I rise up again because I can either choose to pretend like I don't have the strength, or I can utilize the strength that has already been given to me by my Father...and so I choose the latter.
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Instead, when I am burning up and feeling the heat from life, I get exhausted. But only for a little while. For I realize now that to be a light in the midst of darkness, one has to be lit up with fire, but after a while the power of the light overcomes the burning sensation of the heat, and all is well again. Or else what would be the testimony of the light without a test of its strength?
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So today, I want you to understand the reasons why you do what you do. I want you to understand that your entire life exists for a deeper reason, and that it is one big testimony, a story that must be told to Nations someday. If you are strong enough to get back up again, it only tells me that you are also a light. And a light that is meant for a city will never be hidden.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matthew 5:14-15

Photo by Photobucket :)

34 comments:

Giagerry said...

ben waitin 4 this for a while no
firrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrst!
ok im off to read it.lol

Giagerry said...

I love it jaycee..great one,
I was only thinking this a couple of days ago about how sometimes things seem so cloudy and instead of worrying, praise him(lesson learnt in church on sunday sef) for he sed
-he knoweth the end from the beginning
-his thot for us are of good and not of evil

then to top it all,

-he reminds us that he is able to do EXCEEDINGLY above wat we could ask or even think

and then wen i remember these words, i just smile at the silver lining..like u, I like to believe my life is a testimony too!

love it!

Anonymous said...

WOW.. Guess it all boils down to our perspective.. Dark clouds can either be symbols of despair or endurinng testaments to the ongoing care of a God who cares enough about the minutest details of our lives to micro manage them...

P.S. -- Stopped over at the TERC thing and dialled into the recording... Awesome stuff.. You peeps are an encouragement.....

doug said...

Funny...I was going to do a rather short post on something related to this. I asked myself the same question...and I answered "because I'm an idiot"...nice to hear another [much better] perspective

Toluwa said...

seeing the glass half full. the way the world put it.

Faith! the way the word puts it!

nice post!

Olufunke said...

God has the master plan of our lives.........true talk!

BSNC said...

nice post.. our entire really do exists for a deeper reason

Jennifer A. said...

Gee...I'm so glad u see the bigger picture of clouds too...Gee, how I wish everyone could see it (note how I incorporated your name in that last line...pretty cool...lol)

JustDB...I loved the way you said "...a God who cares enough about the minutest details of our lives to micro manage them..." That's just a classic statement, and I'm afraid I have to update my facebook status with that one...I love it. Wow, u called into TERC...I'm glad u liked what u heard. There's always a recording for every meeting...:)

Doug...what can I say other than LOLLLL. Anyhow, there's always hope for a change of perspective, abi? :)

Just...Toluwa...the funny thing is that many people in the world practice optimism and not pessimism...and in the end, they unconsciously practice "faith" (although they do not call it by that name). Thing is that it WORKS! Why? Because optimism is a principle of God written in the name of "faith." So like how the rule of gravity affects every living being, every optimistic person will have a good life. Now, salvation is the other issue...

Olufunke...I know right? How is your week going Funke? I always love your little comments...thanks! :)

Jennifer A. said...

brownskinnaijachic...yes o...it is as true as it gets. I like ur nickname o...

Kafo said...

i'll come back and read this

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Indeed, a lesson the Lord continues to teach me on a daily basis. A light can only grow brighter and brighter with an extra bit of wood or wind, it doesn't automatically grow. And this external help sustains it. And the same with us, for us to reach our full capacity we will need help. And though the enemy thinks that what he brings our way will destroy us, he has no idea that it is that help that we have been waiting on God from. Because it helps us regain our strength and makes us stronger than when we started.

And so Lord, I am so thankful for the tests I've been through, because the me today would never have been, if it hadn't been for those proppings.

Afrobabe said...

Yes oh....even when we dont see any meaning to our life or existence he guides us...

If you choose to see every situation as a growing up then you are quicker to see the light...

The poets voice ~~~ said...

I can totally identify with this...Only last year did the doors to a brighter future seem closed for good. I wasn't even two marks off the cut-off..i was way way off.
But I praised God (after much crying) because I knew He had a plan and all things work together for my good.

last week, I got my results and what can I say...God is faithful..
I passed!!!, passed way above the cut-off mark! What is more important is that in the time that evolved, i have learnt a lot and done a lot.

We exist for a divine purpose and The master crafstman weaves every event of our life to get us to that place where we fulfill this purpose.

My Quest said...

The way you write makes an interesting read.
Your pages are full of inspiration
Thanks always for your kind words of encouragement on My-quest.

Peace.

Giagerry said...

loooool jaycee!!! @ the name incorporation..i just noticed it...kool!!

Smaragd said...

AMEN Jaycee!

there is always a silver lining, THAT i have learnt for sure.

Rita said...

Truly inspiring...my life exists for a deeper reason...

Robyn.K.Y said...

am having one of those days that wont end,,,
a very slow day.
this has made a diffrence,,
thank you for the verce Jaycee

Anonymous said...

Jayceeeeeeeeeee,

WoW, WoW...my kind of inspiration.
“It wasn't that I was always searching for God, but He was searching for me.
For I realize now that to be a light in the midst of darkness, one has to be lit up with fire, but after a while the power of the light overcomes the burning sensation of the heat, and all is well again.”

Have you ever thought of putting together a DEVOTIONAL booklet?

Seriously, I have always believed that God Almighty, that I know, still trying to, does not fail and does not make a mistake.

If that were the case, then I can not fail (temporarily delayed it may be) and I am certainly not a mistake.

Great stuff.

taKia and God Bless

LG said...

CONGRATULATIONNNNNNNNN!!:-)

The Activist said...

Congrats 2 time winner on Naija Blogger Award!

Care to check my blog for what Writefreak said about you?

Unknown said...

He knows best...



Congrats on your award!
You deserve it.

Kafo said...

i need a book to read maybe i'll pick up the Rapture of Canaan

have u read the Shack

i like the line where u said you cry only for a while and then remember...


true it's all a process and somedays harder than others


thanks for this living piece of truth

Anonymous said...

Hey.. congrats on your award..... Keep on inspiring and challengin us..

Anonymous said...

I have tears streaming down my face right now... I have always read your blog but at this present moment, this is exactly what I need... My faith has been TESTED this past couple of days and all I can say is GOD BLESS YOU... Thank you so much and pls do not ever stop because you touch so much life.. more than you can imagine.

Jennifer A. said...

Life of a Stranger...a light can only grow brighter with an extra bit of wood or wind...that statement just sums this entire post. Thank u so much...

Afrobabe...I like the way you implied that it is our "choice" how we want to see it.

Thepoetsvoice...the funny thing is that we learn and mature so much in the interim of our wait...that's the whole purpose! Yayyyy...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! *Hugs*

MyQuest...u're welkie! *smiles*

Gee...lol.

Smaragd...tell me abouurit!

Rita...tell me abourrrit 2!

Robyn...do you know something? It excites me to know that such a thing as this can change someone's day and make it brighter...it really is exciting to me. Thank God for that!

Babajidesalu...hmmm...trust me, me too I am learning these deep things...of how I can NEVER be a failure...*thanks BTW...u're such an encourager...Kai*

LG....yayyyy! I just saw it yesterday!!! Woohoo!

Standtall...thank uuuuu! I've just read the interview. And my vote for u paid off too...

Dammy...thank God...:)

Kafo...if you do pick up Rapture of Canaan, mennn...that book was deep. I've finished it, and it made me hate somn. Don't wanna be a spoiler! He he...

JustDB...hmmmmmmmmm...I don't even know what to type again sef...

God found me...it's hard for me to find the right response right now, but GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU...AND HE WILL NEVER EVER FORGET YOU. He has found you, just keep holding on to Him.

adebanji said...

May God bless you, once again you have lifted me with your inspired words! It really fits in to what is going on in my life. Hmm I'll just continue to trust Him.

The Activist said...

2 time winner of Naija Blogger Award. Congrats!

Didnt hear from you. will mail you soon

The Activist said...

Thanks my lady.

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Our lives is all about the one that put us here. The road we walk through, the terrains we navigate through, the fire we walk and are refined by - is not about us, but ultimately God bringing forth the piece of dream he has placed within each and every one of us. It's about living out the realities of it, its about bringing forth testimonies and lessons that will inturn bring someone 360 degress back round and connected to the father. It's about walking and establishing his will for our lives as individuals and ultemately - collectively --- all for his glory! :-)

Wonderful piec as usual.. and congrats for the award....
lots of love ... meeee...

Omo Oba said...

hm.
I try.
I fall.
I struggle.
Still I will rise.
Even though I stand on many cacti,
I will rise.

Bibi said...

that is so true. nice one

Lady A said...

After all has been said and done, it is God who continues to order our steps and pick us up when we fall...you go girl!

The poets voice ~~~ said...

So true...Your testimonies are the strings of hope for someone else...while you're going through what you are going through, you are more than a conqueror.God has a plan for your life that will bring you to your destiny; an expected end!.