February 12, 2024 • 38 mins
Join host Shakera in this fulfilling exploration towards self-discovery and divine connection in the riveting podcast, "Identify You". In this captivating episode, Shakera connects with a gathering of spiritually-imbued women who share their personal journeys of deepening their sacred bond with God. This conversation covers the true essence of our identity in Christ, and the importance of intimate study time in the scriptures, leading us to comprehend and fulfill our roles as Christ’s ambassadors.
Each woman shares of how they have triumphed amidst hardships by surrendering before God. Shakera highlights the importance of realizing our divine identity, fostering a faith-filled community, and the necessity of surrendering ourselves in faith. She explores scripture from the 2 Corinthians and shares gospel-inspired music to underline the essence of removing worldly desires on our way to an eternal journey in faith.
In this insightful discussion, the importance and methods of fostering an intimate relationship with God are delved into. The conversation reminds us of integrating God into our lives, enhancing divine messages' comprehension. Join us for this deeply moving episode, where personal experiences of growth in spirituality and faith are shared openly, revealing divine surrender's vitality every day. A support system, accountability, and sharing biblical insights are crucial components discussed, beneficial for maintaining and enriching faith.
As chapters of individual faith journeys unravel, breakthrough moments of realization in 2023 are shared by our guests. The women describe their greatest difficulties and how they were able to stride past them, deepening their trust and gratitude towards the divine. Highlighting the enriching essence of not comparing one's journey with others, the importance of nurturing individual pathways under God’s guidance is discussed.
In a heartfelt conclusion, Shakera shares a special 'Dear You' letter that signifies the virtues of surrender, strength in faith, and the celebration of progress rather than perfection. The uplifting 'I am affirmations' are shared to cultivate a positive, faith-centered mindset. Don't miss this powerful episode filled with inspiration, reaffirmations, and strength for your own journey of faith!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Do you know who you are and whose you are? Welcome to Identify You,
where lives are transformed by identifying who you are in Christ Jesus.
I'm Shakira, your hostess with the mostives, and here I've cultivated a safe
space for us to remove our crown and expose some of the broken pieces that God
has used to make us whole.
After today's episode, you should be able to identify who you are.
(00:22):
So let's get straight into it. I have a special gift with me today. Okay.
The face layer.
So special. So I'm so excited. Y'all already know I say that every episode because
I really do be excited. Like, it's good stuff we're talking about, right?
So we're going to get right into it. On today's episode, we're going to be discussing
(00:45):
navigating our relationship with God.
All right. And this is something me and these ladies talk about very often.
But we decided to bring you guys into the conversation a little bit.
So make sure if you're not watching us on video, go ahead and head to YouTube.
I am Shakira TV and make sure you hit that subscribe button so that you can,
(01:06):
you know, be notified every time we drop a new episode.
So let's get into it. Today we have a song and the song is I'm going to do the lyrics.
Y'all really get that song like that. So since I got glad when I put up a little bit.
Man I can't really think of my voice y'all oh my gosh okay it's crazy,
(01:30):
You don't know how much I pray. Don't know how much I gain.
Don't know how much I change. I'm just trying to explain. It's a God in me.
It's a God in me.
He's got a daughter, though. I was waiting right here. I was like.
(01:54):
See you, mom. Yay. Yay. Yay.
I love it y'all that is
such a beautiful song and today I chose
that because it's just so good like when you
(02:15):
are navigating your relationship with God you go
through many different phases and a lot
of times people can only see the outward appearance of
what you display but we're supposed supposed to be the light
in the world and what people don't know is like what goes on behind the closed
doors the praying the crying the studying and all that stuff and you just gotta
(02:37):
know it's the god in me okay period this is such a beautiful song so today's verse y'all i have two.
Different books that we're gonna look at and i'm
gonna have my guest Hila Alera read
it for you you guys because as y'all can see my voice is doing
a little something so we have both second
(02:59):
corinthians 5 15 through 20 okay and he died for all that those who live should
no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again
so from now on we regard no one from From a worldly point of view,
though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
(03:26):
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.
The old has gone, the new is here.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us
the ministry of reconciliation.
Reconciliation. That God was reconciling the word to himself in Christ,
(03:46):
not counting people's sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God, we are making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
So good. So after the reading of that word, what's the takeaway anybody want
(04:12):
to share that they got from that?
Basically, God for this year for a reason.
And what we put into others, he put into us to put into others and continue spreading his word.
That's good so yeah
so basically second corinthians
(04:34):
5 15 through 20 is talking about the reconciliation god wants
to reconcile all of us in the relationship with him he wants to restore us and
bring he wants to bring us back to him and therefore once we come back to him
we are christ ambassadors and as a christ ambassador aka influencer in today's
society is we're supposed supposed to be the light in the world.
(04:56):
We're supposed to spread the good news.
We're supposed to show the Jesus in us so that people can be drawn to that and
want to seek and have a relationship for themselves.
So I think that that's super important. And if you haven't read it for yourself,
you probably definitely want to go and take a look at it.
I know sometimes when you're like reading a lot, like it's challenging to follow
(05:16):
along, but we're going to get into one One more scripture.
Okay. All right.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature,
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil, desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Idolatry. Idolatry.
(05:37):
Beautiful. Any takeaways from that, anyone? with from this verse. I pretty much took that.
I know you mentioned a lot. We are not, we are in this world,
but we are not of this world.
And basically that just means like, yes, we are here, but we're not supposed
to just fall into the trap of society.
(05:58):
And we get distracted by all the, all the things that you feel like you should be doing.
And we, it takes us away from from our true purpose and what God really wants us to be doing.
Also, you know, piggybacking on Jordan, I feel like it's talking a lot about,
you know, just serving one God.
And, you know, it's easy to say, oh, God is the center of my life.
(06:19):
But when you're idolizing things, sometimes you're doing it and you don't know you are.
And I feel like as, you know, your walk in Christ strengthens,
you should be able to identify and eliminate those things.
And yeah that's all I can say just a little something basically you know they kind of summarized it,
(06:41):
Just that, you know, our earthly possessions and our earthly desires,
what God has in store for us in the everlasting world in heaven,
it's much, much more than what we're focused on down here.
So keep your eye on the part. Good. Good.
So, y'all, that's a lot to let resonate with your soul. Okay.
(07:06):
Thank you for reading that, Alara. Valera so now
that we have with our introduction and we're
into it let's go ahead and introduce my
beautiful guests that we have today so we're just going to go around and y'all
can just say who you are introduce yourself to the people okay hi guys my name
(07:29):
is Jordan hello I'm Jaliyah Hi,
I'm Megan. I'm Valera.
Mackenzie Taylor. And I'm Mikayla.
And we are the Facelayers.
Y'all are cute. So yes, y'all, these are some of the Facelayers.
(07:54):
And today we are going to jump if I can do our conversation with you all.
So I have a couple of questions for my panel.
Look, y'all sound real professional. I love that. Let's get ready for your speaking engagements, okay?
(08:15):
Okay, so you guys...
As we are navigating our relationship with God,
I think it's really important to fellowship amongst other believers and have
a sense of community so that you're not isolated because the devil loves to
keep you isolated and keep you in a state of mind thinking that you're in this
all by yourself when that is the first thing from the truth.
(08:38):
So here we are amongst other believers.
And I want to know, when did you get serious about God and what led you to that moment? it.
Okay. So guys, I believe that I got close to God probably.
Honestly, I've always had a relationship with God my whole entire life.
I was the typical, you know, my parents took me to church my whole entire life.
(09:00):
I brought in new years on church, um, in church every Sunday I went to church.
Like it was just a typical thing, but I didn't get to know him for myself until
traumatic things started happening for me.
Um, as I got older, probably like around 21, 22,
life really really started getting real for me as far as like with deaths
relationships so many different things and it just
(09:21):
hit me like it's time like I have nothing else and I know that that's what God
will do he will strip you he will literally strip you down until you come to
him so I believe that that is the time when I was called to get close to God
so yeah I love it that's so good,
But for me, pretty much the same thing. Grew up in the church.
(09:43):
Mom played the piano. We was there almost all the time.
But for me, you know, I would run to God when I most needed him.
I was talking to him, always praying to him.
I wouldn't say within the last year, I really got into knowing the word,
opening my Bible more, you know, getting into the word and getting to know him closer.
(10:05):
Love that. That's so good. that anybody want to share?
So I would say similar to Makayla and Megan, well, I did not grow up in the church.
My parents, they're definitely religious and they believe in God,
but our lifestyle, our lifestyle, we didn't go to church very often.
(10:28):
And so when I got older, it was a struggle to kind kind of find my relationship
and what he meant to me specifically.
So once I started having traumatic experiences as well and, um,
feeling really alone and isolated, I had no other choice but to turn to God.
And that's when he brought people in my life that were giving me those resources
(10:53):
where I was able to create relationships.
I would say probably around last year as well, like beginning of last year.
Thank you ladies for sharing.
I think that's so good because we all are different and we all come from different
backgrounds and have different experiences, but we are still all the same because
we are all God's children and we're all seeking eternity.
(11:16):
We all want to get to make it and get to Jesus when he comes in and have him
say, job well done. So I think that's beautiful.
And I want to know, what are some things that you guys are doing to strengthen
your relationship with God now that you're focused and you're closer with him
and you're navigating that relationship?
(11:37):
What are some things that you do to strengthen that relationship?
Well, I'll say for me, Akira, my lovely sister, put me onto this about a few
years ago, but I really started doing it consistently probably at the beginning
of last year, well, no, the year before last, but my daily devotions, y'all.
My daily devotions have changed my life for real. I think it was the start of
(11:58):
me getting close to God when I started that.
It changes your whole morning and it changed your whole day,
really, but just doing those devotions, taking that time with God in the morning
before you go out into this crazy world, it's almost like a necessity for real.
You really need to do it because you have some type of peace of mind.
I feel like you can really listen
to everything that you need to listen to when it's just you and him.
So the daily devotions have helped me out tremendously.
(12:20):
And then just finding time outside on my own, as far as, of course,
we have Bible study and stuff like that, and that always helps.
Church, all of that helps. But I think when you really just go and seek him
on your own, as far as doing your own bible work just finding different things
on your own to learn him so that's my,
That's so good. I think that one thing that she just said that's so important is your own study time.
(12:45):
A lot of times people pick and choose, like, oh, let me read a Bible verse to
fit a situation or try to make it, you know, to whatever they're going through.
But when you're actually like studying the word on your alone time,
it allows you to ask questions and then God will begin to send you to different places.
You'll begin to like research different stories and look at different people
(13:07):
in the Bible. So I think that that's so important.
I would say for me, just being in more casual conversation with God, like I do pray,
but even outside of my prayer, like even if I'm like driving in the car home
from work, like I'll tell God about my day or I'll just speak out loud to him in the car.
(13:28):
Like whether it's kind of like talking to myself or just talk,
I just put it out there just so like when I do pray, I can have better communication
or I could pray more easily. And it's not such a like struggle to communicate with God.
It comes out more like I'm talking to a friend or I'm talking to someone else.
And I think that definitely strengthens the confidence that you have with God
(13:49):
as well, especially when he's like sending you a message and you need to receive it.
So that was so good. Let me tell you, because.
And that's including him in everything. A lot of times people just look at God
as just this high almighty person that he's like way up here and not reachable
when that's the furthest thing from the truth,
(14:09):
because we serve a very present God. He is with us through everything.
He's right there in that car. He's right there driving that car.
He's going fast with your seat.
You know, he's in the bathroom with you when you're getting ready in the morning.
It's like he's with you you everywhere so he is your
friend and it's important for people
to know like God wants you to look at
(14:32):
him that way so that you feel comfortable because when you think about
it with your friend you talk to your friend about everything right like if
it's a real friend y'all chopping it up so just let him know like he wants you
to come and chop it up with him like let him know like of course he's all knowing
he's all lies he already knows these but he wants to hear personally from you
so I think that's so good and I always say all the time like people They'll
(14:52):
think I'm crazy if they saw me
on a regular basis Because I'm talking to myself all day It's me and God,
we're having a conversation All the time Mommy, who are you talking to?
Oh my gosh I had a co-worker say the same thing I was like greeting on the floor
And I was just talking to God She's like, are you talking to yourself?
I said, oh yeah, you can expect that from me It's just happening I was about to ask That was so good,
(15:22):
So I always joke around because I wake up pretty early and say it's just me
and God on the road because that's like my time to talk to him,
worship him, do my daily devotionals when I get to my destination.
And Kira has really helped with that, keeping us on top of it. And yeah, that's it.
I love it. I love to share where we're at.
(15:45):
That's so good. so as you
are strengthening your relationship and the things that y'all just shared
what is some accountability that goes
along with that because at the end
of the day we all need a little push sometimes because
sometimes let's be honest i don't think i read my word
like today i'm tired or i mean i want to talk
(16:06):
like sometimes you just want to be by yourself like what who
or what kind of accountability do you have in
your life to help you continue to strengthen that
relationship and I'm
pretty new to the group but just being around
these ladies like I mean we have a chat and I
(16:28):
mean every day I mean y'all be on it y'all in
another day I my phone like I have like probably 800 unread messages and half
of them are probably yours but it's just I love to see like it motivates me
like I see I'm like dang they already did it it's like y'all hold we hold each
other accountable and I get you know just.
(16:50):
I kind of feel like, okay, like, I need to get up on it. Like,
they already said, you know, having a support system like each other, as well as my family.
Like, my grandma, she, I mean, she called me yesterday. Would you learn on the
first day of the retreat?
Like, I just want to explain everything.
(17:12):
Just having, you know, supportive friends and family, like, with your walk,
you know, similar like-minded individuals in your life.
I feel like that's you know and it's so very
helpful when you know you're falling or you find yourself slipping
and you know just doing reading your bible talking to
god and just having that support system is everything to me
that's true that's really big yeah so basically
(17:36):
what she said this group has really helped me personally
because it's like she said in
the introductions like a safe space um we cry together
we laugh together we get into the word
together we have our conversations about God together
so it does feel like a sister ship like you
know we could really talk about anything God related or not
(17:57):
God related you always have someone that can relate to you because I'm pretty sure
most of us have been through the same type of things like
you say your grandma my grandma if she sees me on zoom with
you guys on Thursday night she gets so excited like
she'll she'll stop and pray if you're praying or
she'll be like okay what verse are we talking about like nana
wants to be a face player nana gets
(18:19):
into it she laughs and she laughs that we creating like our own bond with god
because my nana is a grandparent woman so just seeing that her grandchildren
and you could just see right okay your heart work your heart where you go that
you're instilling and like your grandchildren your children's children children, children, children.
(18:40):
It's finally paying off and I know that just makes our hearts smile.
Yes. Oh my goodness. That is so good right there because when you see the fruits
of your labor, like that really hits different because think about it.
Our parents, they do such a.
Crazy amount of work into trying to
raise you know adults and we're adults
(19:01):
in training when we're children but to raise us to be good people
and good adults in this world and even like my
mom she requested she wanted to be a part of the faith-laying community too
and i was like listen this is so space for you like this young adult this age
range because we do not have to keep it you know we have special time where
(19:24):
we can invite you know other people so.
And I got some stuff coming
up we're gonna let them in but she's just
so proud to see like wow like you're really
creating a space for women like everything she taught me she see like it really
(19:44):
like paid off so I think that that's so beautiful and it just just made my heart
smile even when she came to me about it and just like expressed how proud she
was so I think I think that that's so good,
we need some seasoned soup.
(20:12):
Yeah,
so let's talk about, we talked about the accountability and,
you know, what that looks like.
So what about when you learn something, you know, when you learn something,
you like, you want to share with people, right?
That's like a good new thing. And as Christ ambassadors, that's our job.
So what does that look like in you all's life?
(20:33):
Like, how do you grow about sharing the good news?
And does it sometimes make you feel uncomfortable?
OK, so pretty much at the Bible study every time is like something always happens
to where I have to literally share what I've learned the day before to somebody else.
It's like, let's say we're talking about accountability and then I see someone
the next day, you know, they do something wrong and they don't want to take
(20:56):
accountability for it. I'm just like, well, it's so funny you just did that.
But it feels good to be
able to teach others about it because before
i did i would never take accountability like i was the one who'd be like i didn't
do that or no like i was like running from everything that i did but you know
(21:18):
just being able to you know show others that it's okay to it's okay to be wrong
it's okay to hold yourself accountable because once you do that like Like it
kind of takes like a huge weight off your shoulders.
Like, okay, like growing up, I'm taking ownership of what I did,
you know, and moving forward.
So yeah, because at the end of the day, we're all trying, we're all trying to
improve and become better.
(21:40):
Ever since I've started Bible study, I feel like throughout my,
whether it's the next day and I'm going to work, it's always something that
throughout the week that relates to what we discussed.
Us and so I feel like I'm always like well in Bible
study this is wow because like this
(22:01):
is exactly what I like let me tell you and with my
friends who aren't in Bible study like you
know I try and sprinkle it in there for them to come join but I don't
do too much just whenever it's their time but I
see myself having more wisdom to
give to others whether it's somebody
else's testimony like i'm not trying to be
(22:22):
specific of somebody else's business but it's easier when you hear other women
talking about things and you can share with your other friends who haven't necessarily
been brought to use it all the time bicycle fee introduce convicted.
(22:42):
Yes some of my friends haven't been convicted to this yet so i um i try to always
like I bring it up to them in little bits and pieces where it's not too overwhelming,
but enough to where they can see where I'm coming from. And they see the change in me.
And sometimes it'll make them want to want to do it.
(23:04):
When they see the change in you, because that's what it's all about.
When you are living sold out for Jesus Christ, it should be very evident.
Like you should be able to see it. People should be able to see it because we are a living witness.
We are living testimony and our outward actions matter.
(23:24):
So I think that's so important in how you show up in the world.
And I just want to take a little moment to kind of introduce y'all for those
who don't know what Faith Slayer is, because I do it kind of just like going to match y'all.
So Faith Slayer University is a community that I have created and cultivated.
(23:50):
And the mission is help women to heal so that they can live a life of purpose and prosperity.
And in this community we have
bible and book studies we're reading books throughout the
year we're growing we're having the tough conversations
we're holding each other accountable we are praying and
we're seeking god and we also have monthly
(24:12):
fellowships and we have annual retreats and
there's just so many different things that we are doing to cultivate
our world a better
place like because people think like once you are root
the foul with God and you're a Christian that you don't have
fun you don't do things when that's like not true at all like you can still
have fun you can still do things like it's just going to look different than
(24:35):
your old life because you are a new creation that's the community and they're
called the faith slayers we're
called the faith because we walk up at this plus right each and every day.
So I love it so share
with everyone what has been
(24:56):
one of the I guess greatest moments for you in 2023 it could be being a part
of the community or just navigating your relationship with God like just whatever
your biggest moment was or if it was like your biggest revelation,
since we are at like the top of the year you know
(25:18):
I would say for me mine would be understanding myself and understanding what
I'm reading about God because I didn't understand it before and honestly I you
was telling me a scripture and I wouldn't know what it meant so I'm glad that But I was able to,
you know, identify that and understand what I'm reading now.
(25:40):
You know, some things are still challenging, but that's where the consistency
comes in of learning the word every day.
That's so good. Thank you for sharing.
Okay, I would say, I guess, just...
My relationship with God as far as
like understanding like where I stand and just
(26:01):
kind of having self-awareness specifically and
just like I in the earlier
half of 2023 I was still being very
hard-headed I still wanted to do things my way I had a vision for my life and
my plan and I think the biggest revelation was God showing me that like God
(26:22):
has his plan and I have have to step back from what I think is my plan and what
I think is right so that he can lead me.
And like you say all the time, obedience is better than sacrifice.
And I feel like I actually got that reality check this year in terms of like
the relationship that I have with God, like a relationship, just like a friendship,
(26:43):
you have to nurture it. It has to be a two-way street.
And just like God knows me, I have to take the time to know him.
I have to understand his his character. I have to understand that just because
God is going to show up and he's going to save the day and he's going to,
you know, give you mercy,
it doesn't mean that you take advantage of that and you just be so ignorant
to the fact of like, oh, well, I mess up. You know, everyone does.
(27:06):
It's having that discernment of like, if we're in a relationship.
I want to respect you with the
utmost power so that I'm not making these mistakes when I don't have to.
Because I know better yeah so you know
better you do better I love that everything you just
said sounds like surrender and submit and I love
it okay so
(27:29):
for me I'd say so it's probably two things
just like Taylor said definitely my relationship with God y'all I was tested
for real last year and I I'll just give y'all one of my examples I had to move
out of my My very first place that I got on my own with my roommate,
I had to move out last year.
(27:50):
And that was probably one of the hardest things for me because that was my,
I'm the only child, y'all. So my whole life, I don't live with my parents.
It's always just been us three. So it felt so amazing, especially stepping into
my new era of being an adult.
It felt amazing being able to have my own place.
So when stuff started happening over time, y'all, God was telling me I had to
move, even though I didn't want to.
(28:12):
I had to move and you have to move when God says move. and
that's always easier said than done like it's
way easier said than done but just like they said obedience
is way better than sacrifice like we have to wait yeah but yes obedience is
way better than sacrifice and it's always a bigger picture at the end God always
(28:33):
has something better at the end of the road so that's something I'm still learning
because it's again it's way easier said that's been done.
But I feel like that was a first great step for me in, you know,
trusting God and, you know, doing what he says do.
So working on my relationship with God. And then the second thing is I found
out last year that I am going to be graduating in May.
So I have been in school for so long, y'all. And graduating college after that,
(28:57):
I just know that's going to stop my real deal adult life for real.
So that's just a huge blessing for me. And this year, I'm ready to take on everything
that God has in store for me. So.
All glory to God. Yes, I love that. So like a couple episodes ago,
I did my faith versus God's great.
And it just hit when you said it because y'all, we be thinking,
(29:18):
I think we're a little delusional is giving that. We think we know.
We think we know what's best for everyone. Ultimately, like God knows what's best for us.
So for me would be being okay with my own journey in life I know in today's
(29:38):
society we get kind of clouded by the influencers and everything and always
showing their good and just like okay they live like the perfect life and we're
the same age like what's what's going on but,
but after you know everyone has their own battles in life and like just think
(29:58):
about like okay maybe Maybe they had a worse upbringing than I could have or whatever.
But I learned not to compare my journey to their journey and be okay.
Keep your eye on the prize, like I said earlier.
Your timing is different from everyone else's timing.
Your journey is different from everyone else's journey. So focus on you and
focus on God and he'll lead you.
(30:19):
Amen. The whole comparison is a thief of joy.
Yep. Because it will rip it away. For me, I'm actually a product of Jordan's
testimony from the previous question. She told me about Bible study early last
year, and I was like, yeah, I'll join.
(30:39):
And she was like, but this is like a commitment. You don't play with the masses.
I was like, ooh. Don't call me that. She went, what? I love you said that, though.
So, you know, I really just kind of took my time with it.
But honestly I I did I started to see like a glaring Jordan honestly and I was like oh,
(31:07):
and so yeah and I was like I need that and I just felt like it really took for
me to go through something last year that was just like the stepping point that
was like my climax I was like okay I'm gonna join and And honestly,
it was the best thing I did last year.
Like, I can't think of anything that I did better. So I, yeah,
(31:30):
that was kind of like my moment of 2023 was, you know, taking that leap and,
Like a few of us said earlier, you know, I grew up in church.
I was the one in church five days out of the seven days of the week.
But literally, I was in everything. I was in the choir, a youth ministry, you know.
I'm playing him, him, and her.
(31:55):
You know, it was just, it felt good to kind of get back to my roots.
You know, I feel like after college, I kind of like, you know,
stopped going to church as much just because of COVID. it.
And honestly, for me growing up, that's like, that was the only time I spent
with God outside of the days I was in church and in the youth ministry.
And once I got older in college, I stopped, you know, I moved away.
So I kind of just like lost that.
(32:16):
So last year, it was just like me finding that, getting that back.
And yeah, I'm just happy to be on this journey.
Okay i think the biggest thing i learned
last year was the importance of community i
was definitely the person like no new.
(32:40):
Friends don't look at me don't look at me like please.
I'm okay but honestly that was.
Just the devil like he was keeping me to myself
to himself so that I couldn't find God so
I couldn't open my mind up to new
things new people new philosophies and God's
word and I feel like being introduced to
(33:01):
the faith slayers it really just opened up
a new like personality like this
last year I was all over like
doing a lot more things than I was doing the year before and
honestly it was just a huge blessing just to
be able to be different and breathe
like I was I feel like I could breathe more and I could
(33:23):
just you know have like-minded people around me that
are motivating me and you know helping me
step into my purpose so community for sure
come on community thank you ladies
for sharing that was so beautiful I think
that's so good so this next
segment of the show is dear you
(33:44):
so I write a dear you letter to myself every
episode to like my younger self and share
with everyone and it can resonate with you as well so I'm
gonna go ahead and read it I got my journal and I
always encourage they already they got their journal I always encourage if you're
watching have you a journal and whatever takeaways that you get from this podcast
(34:05):
write it in your journal or whatever you feel like God is wanting to speak to
you about like journal about it so let's get into it dear you.
Dear you, in the sacred journey with God, find comfort in surrender and strength in faith.
Trust his guidance as you become the person you're meant to be.
(34:28):
Embrace the silence and divine whispers, for within them lies the path to your fullest self.
Remember, you are supposed to be perfect, only progressing with love and gratitude. Me. Aw. Aw.
(34:48):
So that is your you.
The next segment of the show is where we identify you.
Okay it is our I am affirmation and so if I have guests today I'll share mine
and then y'all can share your I am affirmation after this show today like what
(35:08):
was your I am after this show okay just one,
I am like I said thanks y'all for the conversation from today's show what's
your I am affirmation so I'm going to share mine first and then y'all can share,
Just like, yeah, my sister's a long-winded.
(35:31):
She always says I'm so weak.
I am a new creation because I have been reconciled to Jesus Christ.
(36:01):
Oh that was your I'm just saying I have a good example oh for me I see today
I just feel like I am growing oh I love that love it,
not yet I will say I will say I am resilient yeah,
(36:26):
After today, I am worthy.
After today, I am faithful to God. And I've been every day, but you know.
(36:50):
My faith burns every single day.
So it's just adding faith okay okay I have to say I would say I am I am,
communally present okay okay,
we had a lot of experiences i feel
like within today we're like you know what our facials we've
(37:12):
been in a group and like yeah i've been doing my best to
be present like yeah i think um i'll be looking
at my phone stuff like that so i'm here with y'all in this
moment yeah i hear y'all y'all that's just
what I love it I love it Jordan okay so after today I would say I am committed
(37:34):
to myself and God and of course wonderful thank you ladies so much.
I hope that you guys have enjoyed today's episode if you have please share with
(38:02):
someone share your social media share your biggest takeaway tag me i am shakira
tv everywhere me around social media.
Make sure you subscribe on YouTube and tap in each and every week.
Every Monday, a new episode is dropping.
I'm so grateful to serve you all. And as always, make sure you walk by Faken's
life plus pray each and every day because God, he will make a way.
(38:24):
I love y'all. I'll see you next week. Bye.
Do you know who you are and whose you are? Welcome to Identify You,
where lives are transformed by identifying who you are in Christ Jesus.
I'm Shakira, your hostess with the mostives, and here I've cultivated a safe
space for us to remove our crown and expose some of the broken pieces that God
has used to make us whole.
After today's episode, you should be able to identify who you are.
(00:22):
So let's get straight into it. I have a special gift with me today. Okay.
The face layer.
So special. So I'm so excited. Y'all already know I say that every episode because
I really do be excited. Like, it's good stuff we're talking about, right?
So we're going to get right into it. On today's episode, we're going to be discussing
(00:45):
navigating our relationship with God.
All right. And this is something me and these ladies talk about very often.
But we decided to bring you guys into the conversation a little bit.
So make sure if you're not watching us on video, go ahead and head to YouTube.
I am Shakira TV and make sure you hit that subscribe button so that you can,
(01:06):
you know, be notified every time we drop a new episode.
So let's get into it. Today we have a song and the song is I'm going to do the lyrics.
Y'all really get that song like that. So since I got glad when I put up a little bit.
Man I can't really think of my voice y'all oh my gosh okay it's crazy,
(01:30):
You don't know how much I pray. Don't know how much I gain.
Don't know how much I change. I'm just trying to explain. It's a God in me.
It's a God in me.
He's got a daughter, though. I was waiting right here. I was like.
(01:54):
See you, mom. Yay. Yay. Yay.
I love it y'all that is
such a beautiful song and today I chose
that because it's just so good like when you
(02:15):
are navigating your relationship with God you go
through many different phases and a lot
of times people can only see the outward appearance of
what you display but we're supposed supposed to be the light
in the world and what people don't know is like what goes on behind the closed
doors the praying the crying the studying and all that stuff and you just gotta
(02:37):
know it's the god in me okay period this is such a beautiful song so today's verse y'all i have two.
Different books that we're gonna look at and i'm
gonna have my guest Hila Alera read
it for you you guys because as y'all can see my voice is doing
a little something so we have both second
(02:59):
corinthians 5 15 through 20 okay and he died for all that those who live should
no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again
so from now on we regard no one from From a worldly point of view,
though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
(03:26):
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.
The old has gone, the new is here.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us
the ministry of reconciliation.
Reconciliation. That God was reconciling the word to himself in Christ,
(03:46):
not counting people's sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God, we are making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
So good. So after the reading of that word, what's the takeaway anybody want
(04:12):
to share that they got from that?
Basically, God for this year for a reason.
And what we put into others, he put into us to put into others and continue spreading his word.
That's good so yeah
so basically second corinthians
(04:34):
5 15 through 20 is talking about the reconciliation god wants
to reconcile all of us in the relationship with him he wants to restore us and
bring he wants to bring us back to him and therefore once we come back to him
we are christ ambassadors and as a christ ambassador aka influencer in today's
society is we're supposed supposed to be the light in the world.
(04:56):
We're supposed to spread the good news.
We're supposed to show the Jesus in us so that people can be drawn to that and
want to seek and have a relationship for themselves.
So I think that that's super important. And if you haven't read it for yourself,
you probably definitely want to go and take a look at it.
I know sometimes when you're like reading a lot, like it's challenging to follow
(05:16):
along, but we're going to get into one One more scripture.
Okay. All right.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature,
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil, desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Idolatry. Idolatry.
(05:37):
Beautiful. Any takeaways from that, anyone? with from this verse. I pretty much took that.
I know you mentioned a lot. We are not, we are in this world,
but we are not of this world.
And basically that just means like, yes, we are here, but we're not supposed
to just fall into the trap of society.
(05:58):
And we get distracted by all the, all the things that you feel like you should be doing.
And we, it takes us away from from our true purpose and what God really wants us to be doing.
Also, you know, piggybacking on Jordan, I feel like it's talking a lot about,
you know, just serving one God.
And, you know, it's easy to say, oh, God is the center of my life.
(06:19):
But when you're idolizing things, sometimes you're doing it and you don't know you are.
And I feel like as, you know, your walk in Christ strengthens,
you should be able to identify and eliminate those things.
And yeah that's all I can say just a little something basically you know they kind of summarized it,
(06:41):
Just that, you know, our earthly possessions and our earthly desires,
what God has in store for us in the everlasting world in heaven,
it's much, much more than what we're focused on down here.
So keep your eye on the part. Good. Good.
So, y'all, that's a lot to let resonate with your soul. Okay.
(07:06):
Thank you for reading that, Alara. Valera so now
that we have with our introduction and we're
into it let's go ahead and introduce my
beautiful guests that we have today so we're just going to go around and y'all
can just say who you are introduce yourself to the people okay hi guys my name
(07:29):
is Jordan hello I'm Jaliyah Hi,
I'm Megan. I'm Valera.
Mackenzie Taylor. And I'm Mikayla.
And we are the Facelayers.
Y'all are cute. So yes, y'all, these are some of the Facelayers.
(07:54):
And today we are going to jump if I can do our conversation with you all.
So I have a couple of questions for my panel.
Look, y'all sound real professional. I love that. Let's get ready for your speaking engagements, okay?
(08:15):
Okay, so you guys...
As we are navigating our relationship with God,
I think it's really important to fellowship amongst other believers and have
a sense of community so that you're not isolated because the devil loves to
keep you isolated and keep you in a state of mind thinking that you're in this
all by yourself when that is the first thing from the truth.
(08:38):
So here we are amongst other believers.
And I want to know, when did you get serious about God and what led you to that moment? it.
Okay. So guys, I believe that I got close to God probably.
Honestly, I've always had a relationship with God my whole entire life.
I was the typical, you know, my parents took me to church my whole entire life.
(09:00):
I brought in new years on church, um, in church every Sunday I went to church.
Like it was just a typical thing, but I didn't get to know him for myself until
traumatic things started happening for me.
Um, as I got older, probably like around 21, 22,
life really really started getting real for me as far as like with deaths
relationships so many different things and it just
(09:21):
hit me like it's time like I have nothing else and I know that that's what God
will do he will strip you he will literally strip you down until you come to
him so I believe that that is the time when I was called to get close to God
so yeah I love it that's so good,
But for me, pretty much the same thing. Grew up in the church.
(09:43):
Mom played the piano. We was there almost all the time.
But for me, you know, I would run to God when I most needed him.
I was talking to him, always praying to him.
I wouldn't say within the last year, I really got into knowing the word,
opening my Bible more, you know, getting into the word and getting to know him closer.
(10:05):
Love that. That's so good. that anybody want to share?
So I would say similar to Makayla and Megan, well, I did not grow up in the church.
My parents, they're definitely religious and they believe in God,
but our lifestyle, our lifestyle, we didn't go to church very often.
(10:28):
And so when I got older, it was a struggle to kind kind of find my relationship
and what he meant to me specifically.
So once I started having traumatic experiences as well and, um,
feeling really alone and isolated, I had no other choice but to turn to God.
And that's when he brought people in my life that were giving me those resources
(10:53):
where I was able to create relationships.
I would say probably around last year as well, like beginning of last year.
Thank you ladies for sharing.
I think that's so good because we all are different and we all come from different
backgrounds and have different experiences, but we are still all the same because
we are all God's children and we're all seeking eternity.
(11:16):
We all want to get to make it and get to Jesus when he comes in and have him
say, job well done. So I think that's beautiful.
And I want to know, what are some things that you guys are doing to strengthen
your relationship with God now that you're focused and you're closer with him
and you're navigating that relationship?
(11:37):
What are some things that you do to strengthen that relationship?
Well, I'll say for me, Akira, my lovely sister, put me onto this about a few
years ago, but I really started doing it consistently probably at the beginning
of last year, well, no, the year before last, but my daily devotions, y'all.
My daily devotions have changed my life for real. I think it was the start of
(11:58):
me getting close to God when I started that.
It changes your whole morning and it changed your whole day,
really, but just doing those devotions, taking that time with God in the morning
before you go out into this crazy world, it's almost like a necessity for real.
You really need to do it because you have some type of peace of mind.
I feel like you can really listen
to everything that you need to listen to when it's just you and him.
So the daily devotions have helped me out tremendously.
(12:20):
And then just finding time outside on my own, as far as, of course,
we have Bible study and stuff like that, and that always helps.
Church, all of that helps. But I think when you really just go and seek him
on your own, as far as doing your own bible work just finding different things
on your own to learn him so that's my,
That's so good. I think that one thing that she just said that's so important is your own study time.
(12:45):
A lot of times people pick and choose, like, oh, let me read a Bible verse to
fit a situation or try to make it, you know, to whatever they're going through.
But when you're actually like studying the word on your alone time,
it allows you to ask questions and then God will begin to send you to different places.
You'll begin to like research different stories and look at different people
(13:07):
in the Bible. So I think that that's so important.
I would say for me, just being in more casual conversation with God, like I do pray,
but even outside of my prayer, like even if I'm like driving in the car home
from work, like I'll tell God about my day or I'll just speak out loud to him in the car.
(13:28):
Like whether it's kind of like talking to myself or just talk,
I just put it out there just so like when I do pray, I can have better communication
or I could pray more easily. And it's not such a like struggle to communicate with God.
It comes out more like I'm talking to a friend or I'm talking to someone else.
And I think that definitely strengthens the confidence that you have with God
(13:49):
as well, especially when he's like sending you a message and you need to receive it.
So that was so good. Let me tell you, because.
And that's including him in everything. A lot of times people just look at God
as just this high almighty person that he's like way up here and not reachable
when that's the furthest thing from the truth,
(14:09):
because we serve a very present God. He is with us through everything.
He's right there in that car. He's right there driving that car.
He's going fast with your seat.
You know, he's in the bathroom with you when you're getting ready in the morning.
It's like he's with you you everywhere so he is your
friend and it's important for people
to know like God wants you to look at
(14:32):
him that way so that you feel comfortable because when you think about
it with your friend you talk to your friend about everything right like if
it's a real friend y'all chopping it up so just let him know like he wants you
to come and chop it up with him like let him know like of course he's all knowing
he's all lies he already knows these but he wants to hear personally from you
so I think that's so good and I always say all the time like people They'll
(14:52):
think I'm crazy if they saw me
on a regular basis Because I'm talking to myself all day It's me and God,
we're having a conversation All the time Mommy, who are you talking to?
Oh my gosh I had a co-worker say the same thing I was like greeting on the floor
And I was just talking to God She's like, are you talking to yourself?
I said, oh yeah, you can expect that from me It's just happening I was about to ask That was so good,
(15:22):
So I always joke around because I wake up pretty early and say it's just me
and God on the road because that's like my time to talk to him,
worship him, do my daily devotionals when I get to my destination.
And Kira has really helped with that, keeping us on top of it. And yeah, that's it.
I love it. I love to share where we're at.
(15:45):
That's so good. so as you
are strengthening your relationship and the things that y'all just shared
what is some accountability that goes
along with that because at the end
of the day we all need a little push sometimes because
sometimes let's be honest i don't think i read my word
like today i'm tired or i mean i want to talk
(16:06):
like sometimes you just want to be by yourself like what who
or what kind of accountability do you have in
your life to help you continue to strengthen that
relationship and I'm
pretty new to the group but just being around
these ladies like I mean we have a chat and I
(16:28):
mean every day I mean y'all be on it y'all in
another day I my phone like I have like probably 800 unread messages and half
of them are probably yours but it's just I love to see like it motivates me
like I see I'm like dang they already did it it's like y'all hold we hold each
other accountable and I get you know just.
(16:50):
I kind of feel like, okay, like, I need to get up on it. Like,
they already said, you know, having a support system like each other, as well as my family.
Like, my grandma, she, I mean, she called me yesterday. Would you learn on the
first day of the retreat?
Like, I just want to explain everything.
(17:12):
Just having, you know, supportive friends and family, like, with your walk,
you know, similar like-minded individuals in your life.
I feel like that's you know and it's so very
helpful when you know you're falling or you find yourself slipping
and you know just doing reading your bible talking to
god and just having that support system is everything to me
that's true that's really big yeah so basically
(17:36):
what she said this group has really helped me personally
because it's like she said in
the introductions like a safe space um we cry together
we laugh together we get into the word
together we have our conversations about God together
so it does feel like a sister ship like you
know we could really talk about anything God related or not
(17:57):
God related you always have someone that can relate to you because I'm pretty sure
most of us have been through the same type of things like
you say your grandma my grandma if she sees me on zoom with
you guys on Thursday night she gets so excited like
she'll she'll stop and pray if you're praying or
she'll be like okay what verse are we talking about like nana
wants to be a face player nana gets
(18:19):
into it she laughs and she laughs that we creating like our own bond with god
because my nana is a grandparent woman so just seeing that her grandchildren
and you could just see right okay your heart work your heart where you go that
you're instilling and like your grandchildren your children's children children, children, children.
(18:40):
It's finally paying off and I know that just makes our hearts smile.
Yes. Oh my goodness. That is so good right there because when you see the fruits
of your labor, like that really hits different because think about it.
Our parents, they do such a.
Crazy amount of work into trying to
raise you know adults and we're adults
(19:01):
in training when we're children but to raise us to be good people
and good adults in this world and even like my
mom she requested she wanted to be a part of the faith-laying community too
and i was like listen this is so space for you like this young adult this age
range because we do not have to keep it you know we have special time where
(19:24):
we can invite you know other people so.
And I got some stuff coming
up we're gonna let them in but she's just
so proud to see like wow like you're really
creating a space for women like everything she taught me she see like it really
(19:44):
like paid off so I think that that's so beautiful and it just just made my heart
smile even when she came to me about it and just like expressed how proud she
was so I think I think that that's so good,
we need some seasoned soup.
(20:12):
Yeah,
so let's talk about, we talked about the accountability and,
you know, what that looks like.
So what about when you learn something, you know, when you learn something,
you like, you want to share with people, right?
That's like a good new thing. And as Christ ambassadors, that's our job.
So what does that look like in you all's life?
(20:33):
Like, how do you grow about sharing the good news?
And does it sometimes make you feel uncomfortable?
OK, so pretty much at the Bible study every time is like something always happens
to where I have to literally share what I've learned the day before to somebody else.
It's like, let's say we're talking about accountability and then I see someone
the next day, you know, they do something wrong and they don't want to take
(20:56):
accountability for it. I'm just like, well, it's so funny you just did that.
But it feels good to be
able to teach others about it because before
i did i would never take accountability like i was the one who'd be like i didn't
do that or no like i was like running from everything that i did but you know
(21:18):
just being able to you know show others that it's okay to it's okay to be wrong
it's okay to hold yourself accountable because once you do that like Like it
kind of takes like a huge weight off your shoulders.
Like, okay, like growing up, I'm taking ownership of what I did,
you know, and moving forward.
So yeah, because at the end of the day, we're all trying, we're all trying to
improve and become better.
(21:40):
Ever since I've started Bible study, I feel like throughout my,
whether it's the next day and I'm going to work, it's always something that
throughout the week that relates to what we discussed.
Us and so I feel like I'm always like well in Bible
study this is wow because like this
(22:01):
is exactly what I like let me tell you and with my
friends who aren't in Bible study like you
know I try and sprinkle it in there for them to come join but I don't
do too much just whenever it's their time but I
see myself having more wisdom to
give to others whether it's somebody
else's testimony like i'm not trying to be
(22:22):
specific of somebody else's business but it's easier when you hear other women
talking about things and you can share with your other friends who haven't necessarily
been brought to use it all the time bicycle fee introduce convicted.
(22:42):
Yes some of my friends haven't been convicted to this yet so i um i try to always
like I bring it up to them in little bits and pieces where it's not too overwhelming,
but enough to where they can see where I'm coming from. And they see the change in me.
And sometimes it'll make them want to want to do it.
(23:04):
When they see the change in you, because that's what it's all about.
When you are living sold out for Jesus Christ, it should be very evident.
Like you should be able to see it. People should be able to see it because we are a living witness.
We are living testimony and our outward actions matter.
(23:24):
So I think that's so important in how you show up in the world.
And I just want to take a little moment to kind of introduce y'all for those
who don't know what Faith Slayer is, because I do it kind of just like going to match y'all.
So Faith Slayer University is a community that I have created and cultivated.
(23:50):
And the mission is help women to heal so that they can live a life of purpose and prosperity.
And in this community we have
bible and book studies we're reading books throughout the
year we're growing we're having the tough conversations
we're holding each other accountable we are praying and
we're seeking god and we also have monthly
(24:12):
fellowships and we have annual retreats and
there's just so many different things that we are doing to cultivate
our world a better
place like because people think like once you are root
the foul with God and you're a Christian that you don't have
fun you don't do things when that's like not true at all like you can still
have fun you can still do things like it's just going to look different than
(24:35):
your old life because you are a new creation that's the community and they're
called the faith slayers we're
called the faith because we walk up at this plus right each and every day.
So I love it so share
with everyone what has been
(24:56):
one of the I guess greatest moments for you in 2023 it could be being a part
of the community or just navigating your relationship with God like just whatever
your biggest moment was or if it was like your biggest revelation,
since we are at like the top of the year you know
(25:18):
I would say for me mine would be understanding myself and understanding what
I'm reading about God because I didn't understand it before and honestly I you
was telling me a scripture and I wouldn't know what it meant so I'm glad that But I was able to,
you know, identify that and understand what I'm reading now.
(25:40):
You know, some things are still challenging, but that's where the consistency
comes in of learning the word every day.
That's so good. Thank you for sharing.
Okay, I would say, I guess, just...
My relationship with God as far as
like understanding like where I stand and just
(26:01):
kind of having self-awareness specifically and
just like I in the earlier
half of 2023 I was still being very
hard-headed I still wanted to do things my way I had a vision for my life and
my plan and I think the biggest revelation was God showing me that like God
(26:22):
has his plan and I have have to step back from what I think is my plan and what
I think is right so that he can lead me.
And like you say all the time, obedience is better than sacrifice.
And I feel like I actually got that reality check this year in terms of like
the relationship that I have with God, like a relationship, just like a friendship,
(26:43):
you have to nurture it. It has to be a two-way street.
And just like God knows me, I have to take the time to know him.
I have to understand his his character. I have to understand that just because
God is going to show up and he's going to save the day and he's going to,
you know, give you mercy,
it doesn't mean that you take advantage of that and you just be so ignorant
to the fact of like, oh, well, I mess up. You know, everyone does.
(27:06):
It's having that discernment of like, if we're in a relationship.
I want to respect you with the
utmost power so that I'm not making these mistakes when I don't have to.
Because I know better yeah so you know
better you do better I love that everything you just
said sounds like surrender and submit and I love
it okay so
(27:29):
for me I'd say so it's probably two things
just like Taylor said definitely my relationship with God y'all I was tested
for real last year and I I'll just give y'all one of my examples I had to move
out of my My very first place that I got on my own with my roommate,
I had to move out last year.
(27:50):
And that was probably one of the hardest things for me because that was my,
I'm the only child, y'all. So my whole life, I don't live with my parents.
It's always just been us three. So it felt so amazing, especially stepping into
my new era of being an adult.
It felt amazing being able to have my own place.
So when stuff started happening over time, y'all, God was telling me I had to
move, even though I didn't want to.
(28:12):
I had to move and you have to move when God says move. and
that's always easier said than done like it's
way easier said than done but just like they said obedience
is way better than sacrifice like we have to wait yeah but yes obedience is
way better than sacrifice and it's always a bigger picture at the end God always
(28:33):
has something better at the end of the road so that's something I'm still learning
because it's again it's way easier said that's been done.
But I feel like that was a first great step for me in, you know,
trusting God and, you know, doing what he says do.
So working on my relationship with God. And then the second thing is I found
out last year that I am going to be graduating in May.
So I have been in school for so long, y'all. And graduating college after that,
(28:57):
I just know that's going to stop my real deal adult life for real.
So that's just a huge blessing for me. And this year, I'm ready to take on everything
that God has in store for me. So.
All glory to God. Yes, I love that. So like a couple episodes ago,
I did my faith versus God's great.
And it just hit when you said it because y'all, we be thinking,
(29:18):
I think we're a little delusional is giving that. We think we know.
We think we know what's best for everyone. Ultimately, like God knows what's best for us.
So for me would be being okay with my own journey in life I know in today's
(29:38):
society we get kind of clouded by the influencers and everything and always
showing their good and just like okay they live like the perfect life and we're
the same age like what's what's going on but,
but after you know everyone has their own battles in life and like just think
(29:58):
about like okay maybe Maybe they had a worse upbringing than I could have or whatever.
But I learned not to compare my journey to their journey and be okay.
Keep your eye on the prize, like I said earlier.
Your timing is different from everyone else's timing.
Your journey is different from everyone else's journey. So focus on you and
focus on God and he'll lead you.
(30:19):
Amen. The whole comparison is a thief of joy.
Yep. Because it will rip it away. For me, I'm actually a product of Jordan's
testimony from the previous question. She told me about Bible study early last
year, and I was like, yeah, I'll join.
(30:39):
And she was like, but this is like a commitment. You don't play with the masses.
I was like, ooh. Don't call me that. She went, what? I love you said that, though.
So, you know, I really just kind of took my time with it.
But honestly I I did I started to see like a glaring Jordan honestly and I was like oh,
(31:07):
and so yeah and I was like I need that and I just felt like it really took for
me to go through something last year that was just like the stepping point that
was like my climax I was like okay I'm gonna join and And honestly,
it was the best thing I did last year.
Like, I can't think of anything that I did better. So I, yeah,
(31:30):
that was kind of like my moment of 2023 was, you know, taking that leap and,
Like a few of us said earlier, you know, I grew up in church.
I was the one in church five days out of the seven days of the week.
But literally, I was in everything. I was in the choir, a youth ministry, you know.
I'm playing him, him, and her.
(31:55):
You know, it was just, it felt good to kind of get back to my roots.
You know, I feel like after college, I kind of like, you know,
stopped going to church as much just because of COVID. it.
And honestly, for me growing up, that's like, that was the only time I spent
with God outside of the days I was in church and in the youth ministry.
And once I got older in college, I stopped, you know, I moved away.
So I kind of just like lost that.
(32:16):
So last year, it was just like me finding that, getting that back.
And yeah, I'm just happy to be on this journey.
Okay i think the biggest thing i learned
last year was the importance of community i
was definitely the person like no new.
(32:40):
Friends don't look at me don't look at me like please.
I'm okay but honestly that was.
Just the devil like he was keeping me to myself
to himself so that I couldn't find God so
I couldn't open my mind up to new
things new people new philosophies and God's
word and I feel like being introduced to
(33:01):
the faith slayers it really just opened up
a new like personality like this
last year I was all over like
doing a lot more things than I was doing the year before and
honestly it was just a huge blessing just to
be able to be different and breathe
like I was I feel like I could breathe more and I could
(33:23):
just you know have like-minded people around me that
are motivating me and you know helping me
step into my purpose so community for sure
come on community thank you ladies
for sharing that was so beautiful I think
that's so good so this next
segment of the show is dear you
(33:44):
so I write a dear you letter to myself every
episode to like my younger self and share
with everyone and it can resonate with you as well so I'm
gonna go ahead and read it I got my journal and I
always encourage they already they got their journal I always encourage if you're
watching have you a journal and whatever takeaways that you get from this podcast
(34:05):
write it in your journal or whatever you feel like God is wanting to speak to
you about like journal about it so let's get into it dear you.
Dear you, in the sacred journey with God, find comfort in surrender and strength in faith.
Trust his guidance as you become the person you're meant to be.
(34:28):
Embrace the silence and divine whispers, for within them lies the path to your fullest self.
Remember, you are supposed to be perfect, only progressing with love and gratitude. Me. Aw. Aw.
(34:48):
So that is your you.
The next segment of the show is where we identify you.
Okay it is our I am affirmation and so if I have guests today I'll share mine
and then y'all can share your I am affirmation after this show today like what
(35:08):
was your I am after this show okay just one,
I am like I said thanks y'all for the conversation from today's show what's
your I am affirmation so I'm going to share mine first and then y'all can share,
Just like, yeah, my sister's a long-winded.
(35:31):
She always says I'm so weak.
I am a new creation because I have been reconciled to Jesus Christ.
(36:01):
Oh that was your I'm just saying I have a good example oh for me I see today
I just feel like I am growing oh I love that love it,
not yet I will say I will say I am resilient yeah,
(36:26):
After today, I am worthy.
After today, I am faithful to God. And I've been every day, but you know.
(36:50):
My faith burns every single day.
So it's just adding faith okay okay I have to say I would say I am I am,
communally present okay okay,
we had a lot of experiences i feel
like within today we're like you know what our facials we've
(37:12):
been in a group and like yeah i've been doing my best to
be present like yeah i think um i'll be looking
at my phone stuff like that so i'm here with y'all in this
moment yeah i hear y'all y'all that's just
what I love it I love it Jordan okay so after today I would say I am committed
(37:34):
to myself and God and of course wonderful thank you ladies so much.
I hope that you guys have enjoyed today's episode if you have please share with
(38:02):
someone share your social media share your biggest takeaway tag me i am shakira
tv everywhere me around social media.
Make sure you subscribe on YouTube and tap in each and every week.
Every Monday, a new episode is dropping.
I'm so grateful to serve you all. And as always, make sure you walk by Faken's
life plus pray each and every day because God, he will make a way.
(38:24):
I love y'all. I'll see you next week. Bye.
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