Success is Thriving in Authenticity

Easy Like Sunday Morning

The sermon at church today was called “Give myself away”. The message was based on the story of Tabitha in Acts 9:36-43. Tabitha was a hidden figure, a female renaissance woman who spent her days giving to her community. One day she fell sick and died. Peter went to her grave, cleared the room, and prayed for her. God said, “Get up Tabitha”. Pastor Bryan Carter reminded us to be careful about burying things too soon. You have to believe God for what you can not see.” He honed in on the period of being buried. When God deals with us in private. When God checks us, it lovingly reminds us who we are.

Be careful about burying things too soon. You have to believe God for what you can not see.
pastor bryan carter, concord church

I’ve been in a season of rebirth. I’ve shared as much as I could about my #Roadto40 and now I can see why there was a deep yearning to change the trajectory of my life. My best friend of over 20 years recalled several times when I’ve had a similar feeling and how it led to significant positive change. Like when I decided to applied to my alma mater and left my hometown without ever visiting the campus. With little to no financial support, I decided at 17 years old to go 5.5 hours away. I deeply knew that God was pulling me in a new direction. God was with me, right there waiting.

I am reminded of another recent time, shortly after COVID hit in 2020, the institution I work for was scrambling to find a way to serve seven campuses and over 100,000 students. I wrote a new virtual operation model proposal and sent it to leadership. The proposal was accepted, and our operations were fully online three weeks after implementation. My mentor, with whom I worked closely during this process, said, “I want you to know you have a great sense of intuition. And now that I have witnessed it, I want you to know, you should always follow it.”

God sometimes pushes us to make bold moves, clear the room, and listen to Him without distraction. One day, I’ll be able to tell how this chapter revealed that truly surrendering is rooted in authenticity. It is less about what it looks like to others, although we have been conditioned to build a life that looks successful. I now believe success is thriving in authenticity. So often, a fulfilled life is about ridding ourselves of the things (titles, relationships, material possessions, etc.) that take us away from ourselves. It’s a return home to the light within.

This Sunday, I encourage you to ask deep questions. Who am I? What is my life rooted in? Who am I serving? Am I truly living up to my highest potential? I think ensuring your goals and aspirations are anchored in your values, your mission, and God’s vision for your life is imperative. Be careful what you ask for—transformative change could be on the other side of your request.

For years in therapy, I would confess that I wanted to get to the other side of evolving. I wanted to thrive, not just survive. It wasn’t until I addressed the issues deeply affecting my spirit that I was free to move into the next season. I tried many other solutions that were painted to be the answer – starting new projects, making myself busy leading to burnout, devoting my life to my children without regard to my own, and attempting to help others in my community. But there was something that was missing.

How faithful is our God to wait for us to move in the right direction? I am so grateful for his grace and mercy. My girls and I joined Concord Church in Dallas back in November. God was right there waiting on us. Last month, I got a job promotion that is a game changer for my leadership experience. I will lead and pour into a team of over 80 people. God orchestrated the opportunity. I completed 75 Hard and found a discipline in myself at 40 years old, I never experienced. God was with me every single day, every step of the way.

What is it that you truly want? Are you willing to give up what no longer serves you? Listen. Cut out distractions. Dig deep. God is waiting with open arms.

Get up, Tabitha! (You can listen to the sermon here)