Today is a day I consider my spiritual birthday and I’m celebrating with you guys by sharing a bit about my journey.

Like many people, I grew up Christian so I’ve pretty much always known the difference between right and wrong. I gave my life to Christ multiple times at a very young age, got conviction from the Holy Spirit from time to time and knew God lived inside of me. Feb 15th 2004 is the clearest salvation experience I remember ’cause I was grown enough to understand and smartly, I kept a dairy. It was Grade 7 (JS1), I was 10 years old, me and my best friend at the time got this spark and decided we wanted to live really pure and holy lives.

Well, not too long after, I clearly forgot all about that.

2004-2011, I read my bible every day and prayed every morning and night. You know I was on a journey to seek God and know him deeper and to many people these actions meant I was putting God first, but was I really? I succumbed to my flesh and acted like some certain sins had power over me. I’ll hurt God and go against his word in certain areas just to please (man) my friends or a boyfriend. I was okay with doing these things because I had not FULLY surrendered my life. So although salvation occurs, sanctification is another process that requires commitment and a heart to please God completely.

I realized that every other thing was empty, was vanity, was not fulfilling and was surely not taking me anywhere. My friendships were a waste of time without God, my relationships were a waste of time without God, my career was a waste of time without God. The part-time Christian life wasn’t for me any longer. I couldn’t choose to obey only parts of the bible. I couldn’t continue to do things I knew were hurting my relationship with Christ. I couldn’t be lukewarm. I just couldn’t. I wanted more and I knew I had to give more. There was no turning back; it was ALL or nothing. It was time to be COMPLETELY sold out for Christ and not until I decided to give God all of me did I really start to understand who God truly is.

You see many of us struggle in certain areas because of double-mindedness. Stop for a second to think about what you truly want out of life in every aspect and decide if your actions today are hurting or shaping them. I don’t care what age you are, if you are not growing daily towards your truest and best self, you’re wasting this precious gift of life.

The same way you cannot lose weight by eating fast food everyday or get a first class by never showing up to class, you can’t genuinely LOVE Christ and at the same time love the world. Something always has to give. There comes that time in your life in any area really where you have to decided what it is that you really want. There has to come a time in your walk with Christ where you get tired of running around in circles and get focused on this race.

Christianity isn’t a forceful race, but it should be a fruitful one. If you believe deep in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for you and is your God, don’t let an allegiance to sin deprive you of the benefits of a solid relationship and intimacy with Him. This “Him” being: the one who created the heavens and the earth, everything and everyone in it. (Please let that sink in). What are we ever looking for that can’t be found in and through Him?

This decision to go ALL IN with God and to live FULLY for Him with no compromise was the beginning of many amazing things in my life! It’s been 5 years strong and I’m here as a sister to share with you a few things about my journey and what you can expect by taking this wonderful step.

PRUNING

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. – John 15:2

First things first, God told me to end the current relationship I was in and I immediately did. Although I cried myself to sleep on some nights, I knew this was the right decision. It was one step into full surrender and focus on God. At this point I wanted only what God wanted for me in every single thing; relationships, career, friendships etc. Anything that was taking God’s place had to go.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

For us to fully focus on God, things have to give. Things that are taking you nowhere, things that are beneath or against God’s will for you, things that are moving you away from destiny. We have to be able to recognize these things through God’s word and the Holy Spirit and be okay with letting these things go. It is the pain of progress. No pain, no gain. Cry, but move forward!

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:4&5

SEPARATION

Now I was in college at this point so mind you my friends aren’t thinking of going this route just yet. A period where people want to enjoy and explore this newly given freedom they have, here I am, on my own, many miles away from home, choosing to go another route. The closer I got to God my appetites began to change. The things and places that were fun to me before now bored me. I began to lose friends gain real life clarity and wisdom.

Elevation requires separation. God will begin to filter out those who aren’t for you or for your destiny. Read Association Detox. God calls you to separation so you can focus on Him and find out who YOU really are without the crowd. This will be a period of loneliness, yes. But I like to think that without this particular period of loneliness in a your entire life, full success may be impossible. This time spent alone is to build a solid relationship and intimacy with Christ. This time alone is to get you to be aligned and focused on the purpose that God has for your life. This time alone is to bring you to fulfillment.

Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” – 2 Cor. 6:17

FIND YOURSELF

In this time, find yourself. Few things like – What is your temperament? What is your archetype? Is there any repressed hurt from your childhood that’s hindering you? Do you have trust issues? Are you too trusting? What are you good at? What aren’t you good at? What do you enjoy and why do you enjoy it? What do you passionately dislike and want to change in the world? What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Want do you envision for your future? What are your core values? Get to know yourself deeper and work towards being better in different areas. In this time you have a chance to grow as an individual emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Don’t misuse it.

PURPOSE

In 2012, I went on a 7-day purpose fast that I’d share a bit later. As I was getting to know myself more, I was desperately hungry to find my purpose. What did God put me on this Earth for? I had seen and heard of people who knew what their gift and assignment was and I wanted mine to be clear. In this season, God started to show me, speak to me, align me and orchestrate things that’ll move me to purpose and destiny. Life has been so amazing everyday since then. To wake up knowing why I am here, having the one who sent me here direct my path, with solid vision and instructions is the best feeling ever!

People often look to find their purpose in the wrong places. You can’t look for the real reason why you were made outside of the creator himself. You are special to God as an individual and He created you specially equipped for your own special assignment. You cannot try to exclude God from the equation. It just doesn’t work that way. Yes you might be rich, famous, “successful”, but you need to first be a friend of God to find, understand, follow and fulfill your God given purpose and destiny.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33

COOKIES AND CREAM?
Failure | Pain | Tough Times

Let’s talk about failure, pain and tough times in general. Boy oh boy! The truth is we are not exempted from trials as Christians and yes you’d go through some HARD times but the beautiful thing is that God will always be there to catch you. ALWAYS. There’s so much that you’d learn during trying times and for me is in the end I think the biggest thing that it reassures me is that God LOVES me and I ALWAYS need to trust Him. He won’t give you something you can’t handle (no matter what the situation is) and he will always step in to show you His amazing love. I can’t stress TRUST, TRUST, and TRUST God in every single thing. He knows best. He knows the end from the beginning. He’s got you! He really has.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue, which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17

Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. – Isaiah 61:7

PURITY

Let’s talk briefly about purity; body mind and soul. Serving God with all you’ve got and all of you. Your thoughts, words and actions should always show that you live for Jesus. Let all you do glorify God and let your life be worship unto God.

Now for sexual purity, many Christians are atheists in that area and can’t seem to give that area to God. I want to let you know that being sexually pure will change your relationship with God and your life as a whole. If you are unmarried and you are a virgin or celibate please own it and flourish in your grace. It is such a beautiful thing. Never let anyone look down on you or pressure you. Stand by your decision. Let God give you out as His daughter to a king He trusts you to because NOTHING can compare to the level you’ll get to with God when you give him EVERYTHING.

Only God is perfect but the goal is to be more like Christ everyday so I always suggest keeping a sin book or daily journal to document your struggles and track your progress. Let it be your personal accountability partner and help you track your growth overtime. You can use this to monitor habits and areas that you need to work on.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12

PEACE | FULFILLMENT

Nothing can replace the love of God in our hearts and life. Alcohol, sex, friends, family, fame, money…nothing! Fully giving God your all can only bring more than you had before. The peace of God will fill your heart and you’ll be on your way into your most fulfilled life and best version of yourself because God rewards those who diligently seek him (Heb. 11:16)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

*****

I have tested and used my life as a trial to see how great this God is and believe me when I say that God is AWESOME and what you get for living for Him is EXTRAORDINARY! Give Him a chance to fully show you who He is. May 25th 2011, I made the BEST DECISION EVER! You can too. Enough of being lukewarm! God is always ready to show out in your life in a big way if you can only just give Him the chance to do so. Regardless of where you are in your walk, God loves you so much and is ready to meet you there.

SALVATION PRAYER

“Jesus, I come before you and acknowledge that I am a sinner. I repent. I call upon your name and I ask you to cleanse me with your blood. Forgive me of my sins. I invite you into my heart Jesus Christ. I believe that you were born of a virgin, died and were resurrected on the third day that I might have eternal life. I open my life to you and I ask you to come in and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen”.

RE-DEDICATION PRAYER

“Jesus, thank you for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. I come before you and acknowledge that I am a sinner. I repent. I admit that I haven’t lived according to your word. I’m sick of having one leg in and one leg out. I’m sick of pleasing people over you. I’m sick of letting my flesh have a hold over me. I’m sick of opening the door to the enemy. I’m sick of being lukewarm. I’m sick of keeping you at a distance. I just want you. Draw me closer to you and come closer to me. I re-dedicate my life to you this day, I call upon your name and I ask you to cleanse me with your blood. Forgive me of my sins. I want a relationship with you, I want to know you and live for you like never before. Please show me how. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen”.

For my brothers and sisters out there who have being on this journey of for this long, longer or even shorter, God loves you and is proud of you. Keep running to win!  He who endures to the end shall be saved. – (Matthew 24:13)

*****

Guess what? I’m currently writing a book where I’ll share my story and show you step-by-step how to focus on God, find yourself, find your purpose and be on your way to fulfilling destiny. I have learnt and experienced so much in the last few years. I have so much to share with you and I’m working so hard to put this all together as soon as I can but I hope this post kinda gives you a rough idea of what you can expect by fully focusing and surrendering to God. It’s not easy but it’s definitely worth it.

Share your journey with me; is there anything you struggle with? Is there anything God has delivered you from? You can also drop your prayer request.

Grace & Love,

Anina