& probably your mom's idea as well. Let me begin by saying congratulations to billionaire Sara Blakely! She has gained recent notoriety for her multibillion-dollar deal with Blackstone. Sara celebrated by gifting ALL her employees with "2" first-class tickets and $10,000 to wherever they desire in the world.
Sara is 50 years old and has been in the Spanx business for 21 years. My mother has been cutting pantihose to hide panty lines for over 30 years! These years are basic math, but just in case you missed it, 30 years is longer than 21 years. To add to the story, my mother received the idea from her mother. My grandmother got the idea from her mother. Four generations. No patents created, no ideas pitched. I watched Sara's 2006 interview with Oprah, where Auntie O shared that she too had been cutting her pantihose to hide panty lines for years.
Why am I sharing this? It is time for ALL of us to take courage.
Courage - the willingness to perform an act that frightens or may cause pain or grief.
Sara is so special to God. All His children and creations are to Him. The difference between Sara and all the others that the Lord gave this idea to was her willingness to choose her Faith over her fear. In the same 2006 interview, Sara shared how her idea was a jeer for many. She was the minority and gave several pitches and even gave up one time. BUT God! Sara is a woman of Christian Faith that chose Faith over fear.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of what is not yet seen.
Although she did not see it YET, she kept Faithing it.
How does one Faith it?
Faith comes by "hearing" and hearing by the word of God.
Increase His word by saying His word.
Amplify. Amplify. Amplify.
What has God told you? What is your "do" in the land?
It could be to commence a friendship, pitch an idea, or be consistent in your pursuit of something.
Whatever it is. DO IT. Say it. Keep saying and keep doing. Bit by bit. Day by day.
Moment by moment. You do not know what's on the other side of your obedience.
As mentioned (in Affirmations for H.E.R. 31 Day Devotional Journal), "words shape our worlds." Not just any word, but God's words. When you say what HE says, it becomes a decree (an official order by an authority). Now it has to happen! The heart of God is touched & things begin to move when you speak His language.
But you cannot forget, Faith. Faith without works is dead. Get going on what God has said, even if it seems small.
This blog is solely to serve as motivation for HER. I was in prayer earlier this morning, asking God to help me have the courage to do something He instructed. One minute later, I received an email from someone that I do not know with a subject titled, "Choose courage over comfort."
Many of us are willing to negate what we know to do or be stagnant all to have comfort. If you drop the "t" from the end of comfort and add an "m" and swap the 1st m for n, then you have conform. DO NOT CONFORM to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You have to have the correct mindset. Comfort almost always will lead to conformity. Conforming is an indicator of fear by subrogating yourself under the authority of something or someone else. Fear opposes Faith.
The earlier email referenced the way to denounce comfort and heighten courage in your life is to discover a deeper meaning. This blog is not to have you rehash every idea God has given to start a business. Instead, it is to serve as an encouragement to adhere and yield to His still small voice. What has God persistently given "you" to do? Go do it. No excuses, what-ifs, nor fears. Just obey.
On the other side of Sara's obedience was generational wealth not just for her family but those she employs; even her employee's people are reaping the benefit of her perseverance in Faith. Women she will never meet are hearing her story worldwide & choosing to faith it (Romans 10:17).
Now men and women are using her products and having "comfort" in their daily wear. Ha!
Isn't that just like God? We try to create comfort by being complacent on His God-ordained moves for us, and He again reminds us of His word that if we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts.
One last critical scripture: But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death (Revelations 21:8).
Those who are cowards will meet a second death. If I am honest, I had some questions about this one; so, I took them to God. I'll share His response vs. my questions. He said when you act in fear vs. courage on God-given words to you, and for you, you are operating against His will.
When going against His will, you hinder progress not just for you but everyone you are assigned to help and those they are assigned to.
It's a continuum of God's purposes, plans, His perfect will and ultimately blessings.
Blessings on top of blessings!
**There are numerous scriptures of those who were not in the will of God or attempted to tamper or hinder His will in some type of way. It didn't end well for the attempted blockers nor for those who chose not to obey Him, He raised up another.
No matter what, God's perfect will, will be accomplished with or without you.
It is already written.
Let's be on the right side of HIStory, God does not play about what and who belongs to Him.
You may be thinking, Ebony, it's just Spanx. I render back to you, no, it's obedience.
Obedience is greater than sacrifice.
God is the God of generations.
He is not limited to yesterday or your now. Your end is already complete in Him.
Act now on what God has said, GO!
You cannot just move on any word, but always know God's word will not fail. Today, choose courage. WE all need what's on the other side of "your" obedience; generations are waiting for your yes!
On a lighter note, it's not by might nor by power but by His Spirit says the Lord of Host.
"Holy Spirit activate (in your people this day)!" :) Amen.
Copyright 2021. Ebony D. Green All rights reserved.
I do not own the rights to this video.
Yes just faith it!! It's more than just spanx it a supernational body shaping miracle. It's a God idea! Ebony I love it!! Keep letting God use you. I am thinking about Spanx and Sarah, without the the stretch in the Spanx their just another pair of tights. Spanx reminds me of faith it stretches us to our full potential beyound what we can SEE or think! I declare maximized results. That's what God want for us as his children. Yes let's faith it!! Go Ebony Go!!
Great words to share! Something I battle with in certain aspects of my life now. Thank you!
Yes! Holy Spirit Activate!! I love that!
This was so powerful and it really gave me a gut check when o read the entire article, but especially when I read these...
"Those who are Cowards will meet a second death!"
"We're not only hindering God but those around is also!"
"Obedience is better than Sacrifice!"
WOW I definitely need to get moving on what God has told me to do!
Thank you
This is great and so timely! God said go! "Holy Spirit, Activate!"
Goodness!!!! This stepped on my toes and blessed me all at the same time. In all transparency, I have been DISOBEDIENT and COWARDLY numerous times..sitting on multiple business ideas.. saying no to many assignments and opportunities because of fear. Your statement about The Holy Spirit showing you that when we go against His will, we hinder our own progress PLUS everyone assigned to us was sobering. I need to get out of the way, choose COURAGE vs FEAR because there are generations connected to my obedience. Thank you for your obedience to writing this.
HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATE!