Trust Your Process

Hi people!

Happy new month! I realized that I didn’t say that in my last post; forgive me! Better late than never, right? I pray that November brings us good news, new opportunities, and new ideas for 2021. Though we’re less than 60 days away from the new year, God is still able to do amazing things, so don’t despair. He specializes in crowning the year with His goodness.

In other news, I have some super juicy gist! Are you ready? Remember I mentioned I was working on something new; well, it’s almost here! It’s audio based and as always, it’s straight from my heart, just for you. Do you want to take a guess what it is? Let’s see who guesses right in the comments. I noticed there’s been a drop in the comments on posts oh – what’s going on people? I really love to hear back from you so please drop your comments either at the end of each post or on our Instagram page @gro.wingtogether. I look forward to reading from you.

This week, I bring an encouragement to trust your process. Yes, you heard me right. I didn’t say the process but “your process”. The Dictionary defines process as, “a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end”. For most of us, the desired end is to live a life of purpose and significance filled with love and a measure of comfort and security. I’ve said a measure because the degree would obviously vary for different people. Now, the truth is that every individual’s journey to this “promise land” would differ for so many reasons, ranging from our backgrounds, education, experiences, decisions, desires, ambitions, etc. It could also differ in the pitfalls you experience, the knowledge you acquire, the relationships you build, the experiences you garner, your family dynamics, opportunities you access, and so on and so forth. What’s the point of this long list of differences? To help you see that no two individuals – irrespective of the similarities of their birth, either as twins born minutes apart or siblings born to the same parents; cousins born on the same day, at the same hospital, etc. – will have the same life trajectory. Friend, please own and accept the unique peculiarities of your journey.

Each individual is wired differently irrespective of the similarities of our lives; and understanding this truth will help to significantly reduce the need for comparison and competition amongst us. Instead, understanding the difference in the process of our lives will help us:

1. Respect one another – learning from each other based on the wealth of each person’s knowledge and experience.
2. Appreciate each other – knowing that we’ve all paid our dues in one way or the other to arrive at this promise land.
3. Support one another – knowing that in line with God’s agenda for our lives as seen in 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27; cooperation is the model because we are all part of one body.

Trusting your process doesn’t mean excusing shoddy work, having a complacent approach to life and thinking success will magically happen, or coming up with flimsy reasons you think are responsible for the other person’s success out of bad belle (i.e. envy). It means understanding your identity in Christ, understanding your strengths and giftings, understanding your season, committing to learning and continuous progress, diligently pursuing your goals, stewarding your one or many talents, and relentlessly keeping at it. It is living in obedience to your Father’s will, living with intentionality knowing that you are a co-creator with God and living conscious that you are here on earth to serve a specific purpose. Please note that your purpose may or may not seem grand to others but steward it and keep at it. It is your process and journey, not the community’s.

As you go on this journey, be careful to discern who and what you need onboard your boat. Ensure you realistically assess those on your manifest [a document listing the cargo, passengers, and crew of a ship]. I’ll share a few I’ve found useful on my own journey:

• Relevant Knowledge. Let’s think of this as your cargo. Proverbs 4 clearly outlines the need for wisdom on your journey. You see, it is not the same person who starts the journey that is needed to finish it. You may have started as a wide-eyed ordinary seaman but to finish you must become a master sailor, so  you will need to evolve and release different versions of yourself with many upgrades to achieve your goals. This evolution will be hinged mainly on your ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn because knowledge is critical to your evolution, and in turn your success. Even though it may not seem like evolution is happening at first, keep exposing yourself to and ingesting wisdom because in the words of my coach, Debola Deji-Kurunmi “being precedes doing”. Never forget that there is an appropriate cargo weight for the size of your vessel; so, journeying with unnecessary “eru” [meaning: baggage] – such as unnecessary gist, time wasting trends, etc. can sink your ship. Please be guided.

• Healthy Emotions. Let’s think of these as the passengers aboard your ship. While it’s okay to take onboard any passenger who can afford the fare on a regular voyage; it is quite risky to do so with your emotions while traveling far on this journey of purpose. You must be able to discern the pirates [those who want to attack and rob your ship]. You must consistently audit your emotions calling your body, soul, spirit, will, intellect, mind, emotions into a conference checking them against God’s word, relevant knowledge, and your goal. Where you find any Jonah’s rocking the boat, please feel free to throw them offboard and where you can’t identify any despite their existence; then please seek the help of the Holy Spirit and therapy as required. Still on passengers, also truthfully check for limiting mindsets and “subconscious conditionings” that can detract, stall or even prematurely make you let down your anchor at the wrong dock.

• Required Relationships. Let’s think of these as the crew on your vessel. Again, I refer to DDK who aptly categorizes relationships into two – “firefighters” and “firelighters”. On your journey, you must be discerning about those who drain your energy, douse your fire, weaken your resolve, and waste your time – these are no doubt firefighters. No offense but you honestly don’t need these fellows. You need firelighters who can turn on your light bulb, get you more effective and challenge you to move forward. They can express in different forms – either as visionaries, models, encouragers, collaborators, super connectors, advisors, givers, constructive critics, etc. When you identify them, celebrate them for their roles and maximize such relationships because, like your regular crew,  they play a significant role in the success of your voyage.

• A Centered Core. This is simply the compass which serves to give you direction, enabling you navigate the right path irrespective of the clouds that may attempt to obscure your vision. My centered core is Christ and I strongly recommend Him. He is reliable, precise and has a stellar track record of getting those who rely on Him to their promise land. He reassures us of His commitment to being our guide in Psalm 32:8. 

In conclusion, your process is unique to you because it equips you with the knowledge, skills, and experience that you specifically require to arrive at your promise land as a decorated sea captain. Don’t lose faith, don’t envy other explorers, don’t get carried away by the sirens; rather journey with faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12), focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the Way Maker.

Don’t ever doubt that;