Who Do You Say That I Am?

It is a very loaded question to ask anyone, whether you trust them or not. Yet, sometimes, it is one we need to hear.

It's mid-year evaluation time for me, and I confidently approach it. In the past, I experienced anxiety when I didn't fully recognize my potential and lacked self-assurance. Other times, I felt complacent because I wasn't pushing myself to excel. Both situations were rooted in fear—fear of rejection, failure, and the unknown. However, this year marks a change. I've embarked on a journey of self-discovery, understanding my identity and embracing who I am without concern for others' opinions. It's not arrogance; it's about releasing fear.

Recently, I embraced the phrase, "Don't let anyone bury the light of your potential under the bushel of their expectation." This became my guiding mantra, a steadfast anchor when feeling lost, overwhelmed, and doubtful. Over the past several months, I've had moments where I could step back and recognize my influence on others. I've witnessed the complex solutions I've built and continue to develop. Engaging in conversations with others, I've been filled with gratitude as they expressed how much I had helped them. I've entered rooms where I once felt I didn't belong, only to realize I was a peer, not inferior. I never asked for their opinions; they offered them freely. So, I posed the question to myself: Who do YOU say that I am?

Posing this question might appear unusual, yet I needed to hear the answer out loud. My heart, mind, and soul required the affirmation. Once brutally honest with myself, I recognized my transformation into the person I was created to be. It was time to break free from the confines of others' expectations and walk confidently.

Throughout our lives, we experience various seasons. The key challenge in this journey is discerning when to let go and when to stay. While I may not always get it right initially, I make it a point to reflect on my attitude and responses when I sense a change coming. Leaving a season prematurely results in a bitter attitude and sharp, uncaring responses. Conversely, lingering too long leads to being rotten and unloving. This approach is akin to picking fruit in and out of season.

Growing up, our backyard was home to several types of fruit trees. I eagerly anticipated late fall, when our satsumas reached their peak ripeness. When I spotted them at roadside markets, I knew it was time to harvest, yet my dad insisted we wait. He understood that the satsumas would reach their sweetest flavor only after the first cold front. He always reminded us that picking them too early would result in bitterness and less enjoyment. Our trees were always abundant with fruit, and we often complained when we had to ensure the trees were cleared at the season's end. Leaving fruit on the tree would lead to rot and potential damage. Just like with the satsumas, we must recognize when it's time to let go or embrace the seasons of our lives.

Before the satsuma season began, my dad had to prepare the trees. Sometimes, the leaves had black fungus on them and needed cleaning. After the final frost in spring, he would prune the branches to give way for new growth. Of course, there was general maintenance such as fertilizing and watering. This is the season I am in—cleansing, pruning, fertilizing, and watering. What does that mean?

I am cleansing away the things/thought patterns/behaviors that cause death and destruction. This is different for everyone, so there's not a 10-step list everyone can apply. Each person must look in the mirror of their life and uncover what is causing death. These could be things I wished for but weren't right for me, or trying to reopen doors that had closed.

I am pruning the old habits and limiting mindsets that have stunted my growth, giving way to acceptance of the new things waiting to be developed. The pruning could be relationships, outside influences, or my own agendas.

I am fertilizing and watering what is left to ensure I have a healthy foundation to secure the new development within me. This is done by reading, studying, meditating, praying, singing, declaring, and listening. Oftentimes, it is just being still.

So, who do you say that I am? What season are you in? Look in the mirror and ask yourself. It's never too late.

Until Next Time,

DJ