Art of Living Well (eBook)

Antidote 1 | Wonderfully Made

“Once you achieve total fulfillment in learning,
you define the need for sage teachings.” —Erogies Grigley Jr.

Have you ever doubted who you are or simply disliked the person you have become? Being selfish and filled with ego and pride are the false images that rob you of self-esteem and confidence. Your life should be void of low self-esteem and selfish motivations. Your life should mirror the life of Jesus Christ, in thoughts and ways, focused on how wonderfully made you are. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

It is easy to let doubt creep into your life and lose focus on your aspirations. Doubt comes from a lack of trust, confidence and faith in yourself, but also in your friends, family, colleagues and Christ. When doubt is allowed to take residency, it is natural to not only lose confidence and feel like a lessor person, but also to be willing to quit. The greater the doubt, the larger the problem that appears to consume and suffocate you. During this time, life seems to cast a wide net and ensnare you in the stupidest and most painful things. You get caught up in personal, family, career and even church issues that zap your energy and self-worth. You wonder aimlessly at times, wondering ‘How in the world did I allow myself to get to such a blight and dark place?’ You are left to feel alone, dejected and in vain, instead of valued and loved.

Because of hurt, disappointments and deception, the tendency is for you to find fault with self and take the blame for everything that has gone wrong. Regardless of the nature of the problems, it is selfish for you to become the victim, when you are not the cause. Pride and ego can become confused with pain and hurt, causing you to refrain and acquiesce from the truth and letting the truth speak power to the person who initiated the root cause. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6)

Doubting who you are leads to the decline of who you are to the point where you give into the world, thereby forsaking self and your relationship with Christ. But, wavering and being tossed amidst life challenges does not signify drowning, failure or demise. It is in this time, hesitated faith and dim outlook must be replaced with brilliance of hope, abiding faith and unshakeable belief. Understanding who you are and whose you are is knowing that you are a gift from God. You are to love (yourself tenderly,) in adoration and zeal - intimately and sensationally - beyond any regret or apology for simply being the wonderful you.

The Source and Creator made humankind in their likeness and image, as spirit beings wrapped in human form. Instead of focusing on selfish thoughts and desires, seek the Will of God. Present Him with the petitions of your heart. Your ever-increasing relationship with Jesus Christ will promote vision and direction. It is the Will of God to reshape and refine His people for His purpose. This shows how special you truly are.

God can mold you into being a warrior of royalty. He created you to fulfill the needs of humanity and His Kingdom. Know that you are peculiar, special and loved beyond the emotions and capacity of people, by Jesus Christ. You must fear the Lord and love the Lord, from reverence and honor, and delight in yielding to His glory. You are the Creator’s joy and good pleasure, for He desires you to be holy and full of joy and happiness, through renewed attitude and faithful actions.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you remind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

God choose you, His marvelous creation, to accomplish wonderful and awesome achievements in a world gone mad. Yet, in Christ, you are the shining light who can illuminate the world around you, as a light on a hill that cannot be hid. Take heart in your soul, knowing how magnificent you truly are and how important your attitude and belief in self will shape your outlook and outcomes. Think positive in the present and see yourself in an encouraging and optimistic future that beholds many wonders and favor. You can do all things your mind and hands are put to with discipline, perseverance and passion, as you walk in the center of God’s Will. Embrace your connection to all people and to the beauty of the skies and heaven, which are separated by morality, mortality and eternity. In doing so, you will enjoy life beyond your limited senses where there is no remembrance of your physical body or of your cognitive inhibitions.

Together, let us cleave to all that is good in our relationship with each other and with the Lord, for this is pleasing to Him. When you honor God through obedience and delight to be in His presence, you honor yourself. Honor the Lord with all your heart, mind, spirit, body and soul, embracing an infallible truth. Have an unfailing hope that His love and esteem will always lead you to a favorable outcome, for your best interest and that exceeds your expectations.

You must have a willingness to embrace humility and kneel in obedience and reverence unto God. He sees us as we are, for who we are, and what we are (and all we do). He knew us before we were born. He loves the creation of humankind; therefore, He made us in His likeness. We are beloved by a Father who loves His children through His Son, Jesus Christ. “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Once you achieve fulfillment in learning, you will define your need for additional teachings. The greater the fulfillment, the more you will enjoy the works of the Spirit and mind of the Source and Creator. You will find that your purpose is not limited to vocation, rather to your passion and convictions. Your purpose encompasses higher perspectives that promise to increase your faith.

Of course, you are being led by the Creator’s Spirit, and you will develop a lifestyle that encompasses work, prayer, fellowship and the study of God’s Word. This includes the reading of complimentary books to increase knowledge, wisdom and understanding, which are necessary for the betterment of your heart, mind, spirit, body and soul. To be in the center of His Will, you must trust God. You must be made pure by allowing God’s thoughts and ways to lead yours – which are as far from God as the east is from the west and the north is from the south. Thus, you cannot rely on self to know all things. You must be led by the Source and Creator. Savor the faithfulness of God to know what is best for you, for He will guide your thoughts and direct your ways in all things earthly and Heavenly. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways submit to Him and He shall make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

It is the person of the Holy Spirit who desires to align your thoughts, attitudes and habits to His will. Your ways and your personality will become pleasing as you take on the character and gifts of the Holy Spirit. God honors the righteous and just, the beloved friend and the obedient disciple who strives to live in the Spirit. So, persevere in faith. Keep the commandments. Love Him and care for His people. These tenants are guaranteed to please God and promise unspeakable joy, unsurpassed peace and unimaginable serenity – all yielding an intimate relationship with God.

God offers a reservoir of grace and mercy to those who chase after His heart. As you keep His commandments, you will recognize that you are righteous even though you were born in sin. You must choose to be hot or cold. God will not make the choice for you. Preferably, you will choose to be hot, embracing servitude as a passion for Christ and service to people – along with other divinely led disciples, past, present and future. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Comparably to the past, people may see these as negative features and might become distrainable and confused. Remember, everyone does not do all things in love for others or in support of those less fortunate. Only through living in truth are you able to edify humanity and glorify the Divinity seated on the Mercy Seat. God desires to give you the imperishable gifts of grace and mercy with a promise of eternal life.

You will transform towards heavenly enlightenment by discovering your identity and giving rumination to the grand design of Heaven and earth. You will come into divine understanding when your roles in both purpose and assignment are achieved. As you move through repentance, forgiveness and obedience Christ will continue to enlighten you for the glory of the Father. Only then can God transform the more perfect person inside of you. To have His thoughts and to be filled with the beauty of a personal relationship will enable you to mature in His principles and statues. As this spiritual wisdom evolves, you will matriculate greatness through Christ, upon which you should ruminate day and night.

God’s desire is for you to reach a spiritual...