I asked God to please show me how He wanted me  to use my talents, so I could help advance His Kingdom here on earth.  This is the story of how God answered that prayer point- in a nutshell.

 

In the early spring of 2019, I began asking God to teach me about His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). I wanted Him to mold me and make me better -more like Christ- in every facet of my life. This was and is still my priority. I remember praying about this so diligently, because I wanted clarity. Especially about how I should glorify Him with my talents. I owe my entire being to Him. So I did what David did in the Psalms, I shamelessly poured out of my heart to Him. Out loud, in silence, on my knees and in lengthy letters. 

 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Then one day, in the month October of the same year, God started answering my prayers! I got a few clear answers and instructions from Him. To begin with, He planted the idea to design a faith-centered jewelry line in my heart. Each piece would serve as a reminder and a conversation starter about His character, instructions, promises, and truth. His reasoning behind this collection, contains a very important message, that deserves a blog post of its own. My heart was filled with joy.  However, instead of asking for more instructions from God and waiting patiently for his Holy Spirit to guide me, I made and pursued plans of my own.

Needless to say, my plans didn't yield the fruitful outcome I was expecting. As a result, I was often on my knees, weeping and seeking God's help during that time. It was a painful experience. In hindsight, I see now how God wanted to teach me two valuable lessons about Who He is: 1. His grace is always enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) and 2. That there is a season for everything and a time for every purpose under the Heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). What I didn't consider at that point in my life was that God allowed me to wear myself out, so He could gracefully teach me, purify me and magnify His power through my weakness, as He saw fit.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Months went by. I surely didn't know how or when, but I kept believing that God would help me accomplish the dreams He has placed in my heart (Romans 8:28). By the end of February 2020, as we began facing the first devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, God decided it was (show) time! First, He provided me with an unexpected stream of income for CONCEPT STATEMENT. One day, during our quiet time, He planted a custom-made business strategy in my mind. He even gave me dreams and visions, to reveal these designs and various solutions in detail to me. I didn't have to go out of my way or force anything. This time, it was the grace and divine favor of my Heavenly Father, that made everything happen. 

"God has made everything beautiful in its time..."

There's much more to this testimony. God has stretched and strengthened my faith so much. If it's God's will, I'll share more details with you in the future. Because it's written that we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). But for now, I want my story to encourage you to keep praying in Jesus' name and to hold on tightly to your faith. They say that chivalry is dead, but God still opens doors ( Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Hymn, 2018). Study your Bible, so you can stand firmly in God's truth (1 Corinthians 15:58). God is not slow in keeping His promises (2 Peter 3:9). Be patient (Psalm 37:7), and know that you're the child of the Sovereign God (Isaiah 46:10), that has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

 

♡Rugeen