Me, Myself, and God.

The only person that I’m in competition with is myself. I constantly take into consideration and reflect back on how I can be better than the person that I was yesterday. A better leader, a better daughter, a better friend, a better sister..an overall better, more God-like Serena. I will always focus on improving myself, rather than impressing others. Impressing others who truly do not care. As we live in this world that is corrupted by social media, be careful not to compare yourself to those who only choose to show the “good” in their lives. Especially not your walk to their walk.

If you are not satisfied with who you currently are, or where you currently are in life; take responsibility for your lack and do something about it. James 4:2 says, “you lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you?” Envy will never get you to that place you desire to be. All envy does is take away from what the Lord has already provided you. Instead of envying, own that place in life that you are currently in. Recognize it, own it, then tell God your wants. But never envy.

We are obsessed with instant success, and I’ll be the first to admit it. I expect results in a snap of a finger. It’s a weakness of mine which often leads me to rushing things that really need some more time to marinate. If you are anything like myself, don’t give up. When it’s not going the way that you wanted and had planned, don’t quit. Our timing and end results are minuscule when compared to God’s. Don’t hold yourself up believing that you know better than God does. What if God didn’t want to meet your expectations because He wanted to exceed them?

Have you ever been stuck between feeling like you’re taking on way too much, and on the other hand not doing enough? Mastering the balance between contentment and passion is key. I am learning that the only way God can truly move in my life, is to take my hands off of it. I imagine it feeling vey similar to the newlywed wife who has to finally let the strong, independent woman toughness go out the window, and allow her husband to lead. Just as you must submit to your husband, submit yourself to God’s will.

Whatever your put out in this world, God will match your effort. Don’t think for a second that He doesn’t need your help; He’s waiting for you to meet Him in the middle. Whatever it is that you do, nobody can do it how YOU do it. No matter how many other hairdressers there are in this world, nobody possesses that same exact touch as YOU. No matter how many authors there are in this world, no other person can lay the same exact words that I would, down on a piece of paper. Everybody has their own special technique. Now, what are you going to do with what God gave you? I’m forever staying in my lane, and in competition with myself and myself only.