Abi's World

“Perhaps you were placed here for a time such as this” – Esther 4.14

“Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars…” – James 1:17

“Your eyes saw me when I was still an unborn child. Every day ⌞of my life⌟ was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.” – Psalms 139:16

We’ve all seen these phrases before:

• “You’ve got this”

• “You can do anything you put your mind to”

• “You control your destiny”

• “You are your own boss”

These quotes are meant to motivate us and encourage us. And they are good but they’re also lacking. They are shallow and unsustainable on their own. Not one of them is capable of bringing lasting hope and peace to your life. Nor are they powerful enough to help you overcome whatever struggle you’re facing.

Now, don’t get me wrong, these phrases aren’t bad; not at all! In fact, I’ve probably said – or posted – most of these at some point, and maybe you have too. And that’s great. But people are taking these cute sayings and standing on them as if they were the way and the truth and the life. And that’s not so great.

That’s the danger in these sayings. They can’t hold up under the pressures of the world. Because, no, you haven’t got this. You can’t do everything you set your mind on, no matter how badly you want to do it; at least not without The One who placed the desire in your heart. Oh, and you don’t control your own destiny. Yes, you have choices, of course. But The One who created you has all your days written and numbered already.

Oh yeah, and that much-loved (and very true) quote about being enough is only true because Jesus is enough. The good things coming from us comes from God. We are enough because of God not because of anything we alone have achieved. In fact, achievements have nothing to do with it!

You have a voice that matters immensely because it’s the voice He’s given you. You have a platform that matters, no matter how small it seems, because He placed you there. You have talents and giftings that He’s invested in you, designed for a purpose way bigger than yourself. You can experience satisfaction. You can have peace. You can experience success. Real satisfaction, real peace and real success comes from doing what YOU do (not someone else). It comes from doing it where YOU are (not waiting for another time, another place), and doing it in faithfulness to the God who has lovingly, strategically put YOU here.

So yes, you’ve got this. But only because God’s got you!

With Love, Abi X

(This post was inspired by Jamie Ivey’s book, “You Be You”).