Do we chase after borrowed portrait? Do we know God’s will concerning our lives?

/ Yinka (Anthonia) Gansallo-Lawrence

all have seen

We all have that picture perfect portrait of what we want to be in life. Two things easily define our portraits. Either we are the talented artist behind the easel or we are the fortunate visitors to the art gallery.

We either move along with the flow, but could be easily side tracked by other people’s vision, achievement or disposition. We get so weak in the knees or become slaves of their supremacy, we admire their talent or we get deceitfully envious of their unique skills and intimidated by the chain of power and presence they command. The fox in us is displayed: Sly and cunning, without a mind of our own. We become self-appointed first-class personality hijackers.

For as long as I can remember, writing, dancing and art work has been my passion. And to help nurture my children with what I do best and unwind in the evening, we’ll spend time dancing to silly songs by Larry (veggie tales) before crashing to bed! Just recently my older daughter completed her classical ballet recital after 6 years of rehearsing. The joy of accomplishment on her face at the end of the show! Priceless! On my list of things needing completion. Checked. ‘Seeking God’s face for total submission of allowing her to continue dancing as a professional: My Portrait!!

So, like the story of the Tower of Babel, I learned two things. First, that when people make up their minds to do something, they often succeed; and second, that succeeding doesn’t mean that you’re in the will of God. The word Babel (confusion) means others can think you’re right, yet you’re wrong. You may ask, ‘”But isn’t it all right to make plans and set goals?” Yes, but your plans and goals should come out of a vision that God has given you.

Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God,” but you can only say that with confidence when you know what God has called you to do. What He ordains, He sustains! When you set your own goals you lack a heartfelt confidence that God is doing the work, so you wear yourself out thinking it’s all up to you. However, when you know God has given you a vision for your life, you trust Him, even when you can’t see anyway to bring it to pass.

We often forget that God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience.

Today, I am encouraging you to allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. While still in the light of the glory of the vision. We go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us: we say because xyz is doing it, I can do it too! Releasing and discovering your talent is one thing: Claiming ownership of that freed self is another. Whose portrait are you still hovering over? Whose shadow are you still tracing? Discover your inner-mind skills and let your passion be aligned with God’s will.

May God help us all!

Yinka.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 thoughts on “Do we chase after borrowed portrait? Do we know God’s will concerning our lives?”

  2. My Yinka! Hmm…Read this thought;
    Today, to me, is special. It is a consummate day, a complete course of time about a calling which began 33yrs ago in the hand of Pope John Paul ll. The communion I received in his hand unfolded the experience of a journey that is remarked today with boldness and life. The same pope has since this year been canonized as a saint of the catholic church. How happy I feel to come into an association of righteousness, peace and joyful tabernacle of a calmer nature box – all praise to God who caused, cultured and completed this phenomenal living essence within me.
    I was born with a significance on sunday 13’ July 1969 with a mark of goodlock: 777. It was the 7th day (rest) of the 7th month of a numerical year of 7 (1+9+6+9=25; 2+5=7), as it is calculated in numerology. Amazingly, it is the second time it is appearing in this remarkable order in 45yrs since my day of birth: today is sunday, 7th day,by christian timing, july, the 7th month of the year and 2014 which is numerologically 7 (2+0+1+4).
    45 in numerology is 9; it is a mark of the end, a Mark of completion.
    Today also happens to be the day of the final match at the world-cup finals in the city hosting Christ the redeemer statue. Wow! What a day for a lucky me. I will recall that I have been lucky in all my ways, having never struggled in my life for such things that I accounted as joy.
    Yesterday, my 3yrs old daughter, called Jerusalem, said to me: “daddy, somebody is the word”, with giggles on her face while she sternly looked into my eyes. Sincerely, I felt evolved and indeed I feel whole and find reason for rest. Now that my sun is cast, surely, my shadow shall follow its substance; its a birthday indeed!
    Happy birthday Tony! All things are to your thoughts, whatever you will and your heart so desires to the glory of God.
    And to all who have being a part of this journey, in every way, I say a huge thank you, conveyed with a deep feeling of its expression; especially to my angel: Gabriel Olugbenga Daniel and to my tolerant brother: Akin Odebiyi. May God water the souls of you all with the streaming goodness of living. Amen.

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  5. To the point! Precise. By the way, good to see Sophia’s performance, any plans for Broadway? Call when you get to the big apple!

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  7. Well said Anthonia, can I feature this in my next quarterly publication? Think this will encourage my readers too. Love it.

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  9. Yinka, let me first congratulate you on the epic you did for your dad, awesome piece. We are all so proud of you. Then the write up you did for the women get together, marvelous! Like we all knew there was more to you and those secret diaries of yours growing up. I am impressed by your sincerity and how deep you carry your audience without any pretense. I read this and am asking myself, is this message for me? and I know others are doing the same thing too. Keep on writing my dear, you truly inspire with your words. This is truly God’s will for you.
    Oma, Lagos.

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  10. I like! Well said Anthonia. We see the pictures, we see the things otherwise, but must first discover what it is that God wants from Us First. His will for us, not trying to live in other people’s world.

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