Hi Precious Jewel! I have to be honest today and get something off my chest. This topic has bothered me for some time now, and now I can finally tackle it head on. Let me start off by saying, “Be free, be unique, and do you!” I am saying this because I have heard so many conversations and read so many social posts about someone doing something that they aren’t called to do or they do not have the anointing to do. I have also seen where there are instances where a person is cultivating a business, and just because they’re doing it ,they feel no one else should. There are multiple sides to all this and I will discuss them all! Let’s take this journey together and become free from people and open to God!

Who are you listening to?

I get it! I really do! Social media is the new norm. Cell phones are a must. Reality television stars and rappers are role models. Fashion is pivotal. Freedom of speech is our country’s anchor. Tik Tok is highly entertaining. Trust me, I get it. In all that, there are many influences and opinions that affect people on a daily basis. Question, Who are you listening to? Are you allowing the way others dress and what they say is “in” affect your decisions? Does the time limit on when you should graduate college, be married, have your own home, and retire affect you in any way? These are just personal questions to think about. Truth is, sometimes as a human, we do allow peoples opinions to affect us and our self-worth. Sometimes the very things that we are suppose to do, we can’t look to our parents, family, friends, social media, and not even the pastor. We have to look to God.

Do you know the story of Samuel? If you have time, read 1 Samuel 3rd chapter. It has some very powerful nuggets in it that I want to highlight. First, Samuel was a boy that ministered under Eli. One night Eli and Samuel went to bed. The bible pointed out how the lamp of God had not went out, and that Samuel was lying in the temple. That is where the Lord called Samuel’s name. Samuel didn’t recognize it was the Lord and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am.” Eli said, “I did not call; go back down and lie down.” This happened another 2 times! The bible states that Samuel did not yet know the Lord. (Whew! To be continued on that) So, after the 3rd time that Samuel went to Eli to see if he called, Eli realized what was going on. (This is so pivotal! Psalm 1:1&2 says: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”) Eli was sensitive to the Lord and instructed Samuel to, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel listened and the Lord did come back and gave a prophetic vision concerning Eli. This was the beginning stages of the Lord speaking to Eli prophetically. Samuel went on to be a prophet and he also continued to do God’s will and the Lord revealed himself to Samuel through his word. Now, Samuel looked to Eli for validation in the middle of the night. He didn’t even recognize the voice of the Lord. This tells us that sometimes the Lord will speak things to us that he has not revealed to others. Now, Samuel was fortunate to have Eli there for godly counsel. You see, Eli didn’t give an opinion. He didn’t tell Samuel he was going crazy. He didn’t just bypass what was going on. Eli was sensitive to the spirit of God. So, he pointed Samuel in the direction of the Lord. How does this apply to your life? Let this word comfort you on the days you feel like no one understands. Your calling and the things God has called you to do is clearly between you and God. So, everyone won’t see it at first. Continue being consistent and always go back to God to recharge and keep pushing. This story also encourages us to be surrounded by godly counsel. Samuel heard the Lord, but he did not recognize him. Eli was the one that pointed him straight to God. I don’t know about you, but I need people in my life that can point me to God, to his word, or go with me in prayer. This will aid in your journey to fulfilling your calling. I challenge you to read 1 Samuel 3 and leave a comment about what the Lord reveals to you!

On the other hand, there is always a flip side. I remember growing up and would see people flourish in their gifts and it was clear of their anointing. I also saw people trying to do things that wasn’t a gifting at all. I think this takes honesty and time at the feet of Jesus. Truth be told, if you know you sound like a rooster singing, and get dirty looks when you try, then it’s time to evaluate. I do believe that God can call you to do something and you have to train to do it effectively. If you feel you are called to sing, take vocal lessons. Practice. Get help! You can also stay in prayer and ask the lord to speak to you. It may be that you’re anointed in the music ministry, just not singing. All of this is about relationship. See Samuel didn’t recognize God and the bible said it was because Samuel did not know the Lord yet. So, just be careful who you listen to. God will reveal himself when the time comes, and he will speak.

Let’s talk Business!

Business is my absolute favorite topic to discuss! I love teaching business! I love the unlimited possibilities of it! I also love the creative freedom you have in it! I can go on and on, but today we’re talking about business as it pertains to the market and starting. My daughter, Camiya, made a statement to me the other day that got me thinking. She wanted to start selling waist chains. She saw someone else doing and that was the end of that. She said, “I don’t want to do that anymore because someone else is doing it.” I in turn said, “Baby, there will always be someone doing whatever it is you want to do. It is your job to do it your way.” I am sure that before amazon became the trillion dollar business it is today, someone else was doing something similar. I can name so many other companies. I think what happens for small businesses and side hustles is that, instead of doing what they do best, they’re in competition with each other. There are so many people selling t-shirts, cakes, candy apples, lashes, jewelry,etc. Your focus should not be on bullying someone that has the same or similar idea. The focus should be being the best at what you do.

Now, to the budding entrepreneur that wants to start a business, but you’re too scared to step out because so many are doing it, just do it! Pray and present your idea before the Lord and do it. He is the only one you need to see validation from. I know this from experience. Just think, what do you have to lose? If you fail at it or decide you don’t want to do it anymore, that’s okay. At least you tried!

I am so sick of people attacking people when really we should all be supporting each other! Don’t let them fool you with their opinions. Cast all your cares on the Lord. I was once so scared to step out into different business endeavors. I was scared to be me. But, When you are working at a job you hate, and don’t have the confidence to pursue that million dollar idea, get out of that bondage. Be free! Always remember, “Never seek validation from people, seek validation from God! If God placed in your heart a specific thing to do, then others may not see it because he didn’t speak it to them. He spoke it to you!” -Dreeka (Precious Jewelz Mentoring Founder)

I want to encourage you to keep moving forward. Let today be your new beginning. You may be on the road by yourself, and that’s okay. At least you’re on the road moving forward. I pray for you precious jewel! I pray that the word of God will set you free from the opinions of others. I pray that the Lord will comfort you today and His will for your life will be revealed to you. I pray that you will walk in the confidence and authority that the Lord has given you, in Jesus name. I declare you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and everything you put your diligent hands to will prosper! In Jesus Name!

Remember you are precious to the Lord and He chose you! Blessings!