Keep Going

This one is transparently fresh — since it just happened. Everything was set. The work started at the end of March; it was more than enough time to complete the task. After all, I'm very good at organizing, planning, and strategy! I had it down to a T. Smooth sailing. Issue-free. No problem zone. I laugh as I realize again, as if I had forgotten: girl, you are not in control of anything!

Roughly two weeks ago, while I was working, I noticed these icons on my desktop, but brushed them off. They were not unfamiliar, just enough to raise an eyebrow — but I never stopped to examine why, unlike before, they were now a cause for concern. Needless to say, I kept working. The task I was finalizing was the May issue of Home with Ceola J. Everything seemed to be in order as I was pulling the last feature and a few other pieces together, and then I realized I couldn't access any of my files — docs, images, etc. Not for the magazine, not to update any of my websites, nothing! They were stuck between my computer and the cloud. All I had were icons.

Now, I'm no computer wiz expert, but I'm very computer-literate, and this one had me stumped. I used a few AI agents to try to figure out what was going on, to no avail. I was literally two days before the magazine was to be released, so I pushed it back by two days, then four, to almost a week. This is the May Mother's Day issue. It was a day before Mother's Day. Lord, help!

At 11:50 PM Friday night, all of a sudden, files appeared to be syncing as if nothing was wrong. Whew, thank you, Lord — I'm gonna make the new deadline. So I thought. As I was working, my computer started to drag, and my publication software was now bugging out. I was having to repeatedly shut it down and restart. My hubby just bought me a new Mac, not too long ago. I called in the prayer warriors… pray, y'all!

At the same time, it was Mother's Day weekend. I had gift basket orders to create and ship, Soulé orders to not only fill but formulate, podcasts to edit, devotionals to write, and a film schedule to keep. I was now feeling the spirit of doubt. And I was asking, Lord, did I hear you correctly? Clearly, you did not call me to be under this type of pressure. The kitchen was on lockdown, and the office was a mess from creating, packaging, and planning. I was literally on under 24 hours of sleep in 4 days — no joke. My husband was worried.

Yesterday, Mother's Day, I was tired and beginning to get more frustrated with each keystroke, delay, and computer restart. I was praying, seeking, stepping away as necessary. As I walked back into the office, I heard the Lord say, "Keep going."

I mean, I had concerns about the contributors, the subscribers, and the magazine's quality, and — being the perfectionist that I am — it was starting to weigh on me. Then it happened: a moment of revelation. Ahh, this is a pressure test. And it's an open-book test because the Lord told me. That meant I already had what I needed. So I quickly repented, adjusted my attitude, realized who was really in charge, refocused, and surrendered. After all, He knew this all beforehand. I just needed to settle in and trust Father God.

In that moment, everything shifted, and Philippians came to mind: "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me." Did you hear that? "Strengthens" me. That implies strength will be needed — and it's coming through Christ Jesus. That truth and that realization gave way to peace and greater trust.

As I settled in, I was no longer subject to the delays, restarts, etc. What was dictating my mood and playing out before me was no longer the focus — Jesus was — and that narrative shifted everything back into its proper perspective. Even with all that was happening, the peace that surpassed all understanding was being realized, and it was good, y'all! It wasn't about all of the smoke screens presented; it was an opportunity to not be moved by their presence. They existed; they just no longer had power, because I was no longer yielding — through being tired, without explanation or understanding, under pressure of assumed expectation (including my own), and presumed timing. The flip was having the truth revealed and the proper perspective.

Oftentimes, we pray and rebuke the enemy when it's not him at all — but rather Father God presenting us with next-level opportunities, which are preparation for graduation. These are times when, as He did with Job, the Father recommends us and then steps back like a proud Father who has every bit of confidence in His child's abilities. He's there, cheering us on, believing every principle, life lesson, wisdom, and example He's given and shared with us will successfully exude from us in moments of testing like this.

If you've ever found yourself in a pressure test, remember — it's because the Father has every bit of confidence in you, and you've come with the highest recommendation for the test. Your Father has no doubt that you will successfully pass the pressure test and advance to the next level. This is expansion in action! Be encouraged — Father God has you!