The Certain Ones: You’re not Forsaken.
You’re Chosen for Purpose.
By
Vanessa Richardson
This is a work of nonfiction
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All Scriptures are taken from King James Version, unless noted otherwise. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2008-2011 by Vanessa Richardson
All Rights Reserved.
Foreword
The
Certain Ones: You're Not Forsaken. You're Chosen for Purpose has an
empowering, edifying, and encouraging message for people in all walks
of life--especially those seeking God, for the calling placed on
their lives. Yet, some of us focus primarily on our circumstances and
situations at hand, instead of becoming more than conquerors. There
are onlookers or watchers, who do not understand how "certain
ones" keep pressing and pushing when the pressure is at a high,
even where it seems like no way out.
Vanessa
Richardson also shares her heartrending and touching experiences
especially after her medical diagnosis and hysterectomy although she
believed she would carry twins someday. Her transparent struggles
that some of us can relate to (or unseemly cannot imagine being in
her shoes) and her faithfulness as she continue to walk with God.
This can be a costly journey but Vanessa keeps us aspired to inspire others about Jesus Christ.
Adrienna Turner, award-winning author The Day Begins with Christ
Founder of Dream Your Reality Prophecies and Dream Yours Midnight Hour
http://dreamyourreality.webs.com (Ministry)
http://www.dream4morefirm.webs.com (Dream 4 More Firm)
http://www.adriennaturner.webs.com (Adrienna Turner Site)
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Calling 5
Chapter 2: I Hear Something 25
Chapter 3: Be Like the Tree 39
Chapter 4: Shhh…Testing 48
Chapter 5: The Right Cry! 60
Chapter 6: Someone to Love Me 67
Chapter 7: Benediction 73
Chapter 1
The Calling
She was dressed in a pristine, white garb. Its radiance was amazing to her. She had never seen such brilliance. Pondering on this thought, she became aware that she hadn’t consciously chosen her attire. Why was she adorned so? She began to mentally analyze the biblical significance of white. It represented purity and righteousness. She would never have chosen that color for herself. Ever! Recalling her many faults, her angst grew stronger. Reflecting on her many faults, she began to drown in painful and negative thoughts. She prolonged on a past memory of her, once owning a pet to ignore her high level of insecurities. Her choice of pets was exotic. It was not a cat, dog, or gold fish. She craved for an exotic pet such as a chameleon. The chameleon was the master of disguise. Chameleons had dynamic powers to change colors to blend in their environment. She always avoided issues. Escapism was her specialty.
She wanted to discover and possess the powers to blend in with her surroundings. She was intrigued by the small creature, when she began reading books on amphibians. She passionately envied the chameleon’s gift of adaptability. She detested that she could never blend in. No hiding. Refusing to keep harping over her selected wardrobe, she grudgingly accepted the chosen white apparel. She took a fortifying breath, as she walked out of the room.
Suddenly, she felt a powerful force pulling and tugging her to move forward. She proceeded to walk further. The further she walked, the brighter the light became. It was odd that the light didn’t bother her eyes at all. She could see clearly. There was a window to her left. The movement caught her attention. Looking out the window, she saw women from all walks of life, standing in a beautiful garden. Next to them was a small brook, which flowed calmly. The women were gathered together talking and laughing; they looked as if they belonged.
Her heart slammed hard against her chest. She desperately wanted to belong; all her life she felt isolated and alone. She risked looking behind her. The need to turn around was strong. As if sensing her distress, one woman looked in her direction, smiled at her and began frantically waving her forward to join them. The girl assumed she was the leader of the pact. The other women in the group looked in her direction. Simultaneously, they too, began waving for her, to come forth. She desperately wanted to join them. She took a hesitant step forward, but some powerful force staid her movements. That was not the direction she was called for. The group’s leader gave her a stern look; eyes narrowing as she shook her head. Nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders, smirked, and a flip of her long tresses, she bent down whispering something to the other women, and they all laughed in response. In unison, the group of women turned, walking off while their laughter was taunting her. Dejectedly, she watched them until they faded from her view. She turned to continue on her journey.
The further she walked, the narrower the path became. For years, she suffered from claustrophobia, where even diminutive rooms and people packed together in a tight space horrified her. She waited for her heart to start palpitating, because of the uncontrollable shaking of her body. Nothing happened. No shortness of breath, no dry mouth, not even nausea, none of these things occurred. At this very new moment, she was not afraid of being in such a confined place. The tunnel stretched onward. Inhaling, her chest abreast, and she felt the need to rest. Silently, she denied her emotions for the hundredth time. Her loneliest crept in during the journey to the end of the tunnel.
During the journey, she imagined sipping on her favorite beverage, Raspberry Lemonade, while relaxing in her lawn chair and glazing at the hues of a blue, purplish sky. She obeyed the voice in the midst. Then, she felt a warm, reassuring presence that overwhelms her. Tears welled in her eyes, and she smiled softly, while His presence encircled and pierced through her soul. Why was she called for such a purpose and destiny? He knew her heart, her desires, and passions. He had to know her favorite color was brown, not white; she stared at her pallid dress in fright.
After strolling through the narrow tunnel, for what seemed like hours, an end was finally in sight. She paused at a door. Her eyes were dazzled by the burnished gold door. What a beauty to gaze upon. Standing in front of it, she could see what a mere reflection of her was. However, her face displayed confusion and looking lost. She was startled before turning the door handle. Her lucid thoughts acknowledged that only faith could unlock the door. It was the key. These thoughts were beyond her capacity to comprehend, but her destiny lied ahead. She turns the door handle, vowing to face what lied behind the golden door.
Once she opened the door, there was no turning back. She had to open it; there was a must to proceed. Extending her hand, she slowly opened the door. The brightness was piercing. She gasped, from its painful intensity and her eyes immediately tearing up. She shut them tightly, as the tears escaped from her eyes.
Moments later, as her eyes acclimated to the brightness. She discovered she was standing at the end of a line. Before her, there were six others standing in line. There were people of different genders, races, and nationalities. She realized that they were also dressed in white garbs. She was the seventh person in line. An inward revelation came to her that the line was now complete, she shivered at the thought. No one turned around to acknowledge her presence as she stood in line. Their focus was on what was ahead. They were unified with the same mind, to see His face, to feel His presence, and His undying love. She was not alone, as she had felt earlier on the journey. Shaking, she was now ready to step forward. Her calling was before her. She was called to enlighten the world to share her message of pain and triumphs. There was a tunnel. In front of the tunnel, she envisioned her destiny. Bewilderingly, she stepped inside, no longer frightened to proceed on her journey. Jesus was her spiritual guide. She heard a faint, yet powerful voice say, “Many are called, but only a few are chosen. And you have been chosen.” Fear paralyzed her. These certain ones where chosen and she was one of them! She contemplated on the thought, “What did I do or say to be here? I didn’t volunteer to be amongst these certain ones.”
***
The young woman displayed above could be you. To be called into a situation without volunteering, can leave you with a discombobulated feeling. How does a person handle such an unexpected assignment? We are going to revisit this young woman’s life journey, as we address the issues of being chosen for purpose and destiny. I can certainly identify with the young woman, and empathize with the unexpected journey she’s suddenly thrust in. Understandably, she is overwhelmed by the events that were suddenly taking place before her eyes. As humans, we are creatures of habits. We need to feel in control over our lives.
Making our own decisions in life is a healthy part of that control. Walking on the path of the unknown; we see a woman who is overwhelmed with her strong emotions. Some emotions displayed were confusion, doubt, anger, and hurt. She is blindsided by the direction she was walking. Moreover, I admire her courage to move on, despite not fully understanding the course her life she was taking. She can be a representative to us. Assuredly, these certain ones are not any better than anyone else is, as God is no respecter of persons. The certain ones are awe-inspiring and fearlessly courageous in their struggles. At times, their fearlessness and temerity can be frightening to those around them as they tend to do things that a normal person would not. Their faith is far beyond that of normal capacity, it is wonderfully astounding. However, it is what makes them who they are.
These certain ones have encountered many disappointments, yet are still able to see the beauty that life has to offer them. Granted, we all experience our share of struggles, in life, no one is exempt from contending forces. However, these certain ones have been honed on the battlefield of what I call back-to-back Job attacks. These certain ones are warriors, leaders, teachers, and testifiers.These individuals have met rejections and have declined its false plans. Their set plans has been temporarily interrupted, not stopped. The certain ones will find the hidden path (when it looks like there is no way), leading to success. They have been delayed by setbacks, yet they have survived them. Their faith is resilient. Have you met one of these people before? Are you one of them?
Onlookers are awed by their display of strength. These people are watchers. They shake their heads in wonderment at these certain ones temerity and grit. These watchers offer words of encouragements, as they secretly thank God, that it is not them. “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). This passage has been quoted so often that you can quote it in your sleep. The chosen ones or the certain ones are destiny bound. They have endured hardships that many individuals cannot or will not do. Does that sound like you? What a marvel they are, to those who surround them. The certain ones, life or testimony alone, can cause salvation to occur in a person life. Know this, the way you handle your tests and the way you serve God is exceptional. No one can do it like you. There is no one like you. Many try to emulate you, only to find out it cannot be done. You see the Master writer of your assignments has scripted your destiny, just for you! It is on the battleground of life that you were honed for your special assignments. Tested and tried, you emerged dignified.
The Certain Ones sounds enchanting to the ears. The Bible talks about these certain ones. In the King James Version, the quote a certain man is recorded thirty-two times. Take notice that when we are introduced to these certain ones, who were faced with challenging situations that required faith-producing actions. The term, there was a certain, did not completely register with me before. When it did, I felt like the Apostle Paul, when the scales were removed from his eyes, allowing him to see. I confess that what I saw galvanized me to climb out of the pit of my rejections and inspired me to press towards my destiny.
I am inclined to believe that there are numerous of unheard stories or testimonies, concerning the certain ones, that has not been recorded in the Bible. It does not make them any less than those stories recorded. I may not be a renowned world leader or recorded in history as being one of richest person alive like Bill Gates, who is an entrepreneur, software executive, philanthropist and chairman of Microsoft. It does not make me any less than he is. I am rich in spirit and in love. If I can make a difference in one person’s life, then I am successful, whether I am recorded in history or not. Assuredly, God is not peculiar of anyone. However, those He selects are always the cream of the crop. The task God assigns to the certain ones cannot be fulfilled by just anyone. It takes a certain kind of unmovable faith. It takes certain sacrifices. It takes you!
Considering that you have purchased this book is indication, that you are a seeking to be a vessel used by the Lord. Allow me to encourage you. If nothing else, the certain ones have similar experiences and can recognize each other. Undoubtedly, during grievous times in our lives, we all need to hear words of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 reads, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” I have some edifying words for you. You will reach your expected promise victoriously. You are a winner. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I could go on and on, because I see you as God does. It is you who have to see it and believe it. What do you see?
Preparation is defined as the activity of putting or setting to advance for some act or purpose. Don’t consider the moments of preparation a waste, since they are not. There is so much that goes into preparation. A farmer must prepare for his harvest. They know the timing and the tools needed to harvest and reap a good crop. After they have done the required work, they wait patiently for their seed to grow. Even when the weather is uncooperative, it has not rain for days, and temperatures soared to an unprecedented degree, farmers remain focused under pressure.
Farmers use the required tools for such emergencies, to manually water their crops. If an unforeseen storm should come, (and they do) damaging their crops, even though they are disappointed, they remain focus. Experience has taught them to be prepared for the unexpected. Preparing themselves for the storms, they have purchased farmers insurance. They are covered. God has covered you.
You are chosen for such a time as this. God knows you. He knows what you can handle and what you cannot handle. Yes, He even knows of your shortcomings. God knows about your silent declarations when you felt like throwing in the towel and giving in to defeat, only to later put on you’re grown-up pants and ask for forgiveness. Then, you proceed to church (your fueling station), and get your praise on. You believe that no one is the wiser than you. Uh, huh… I see that smile. The best analogy I can use is regarding our cars. Our cars need fuel to work. No fuel equals any movement that is common knowledge. These moments of spiritual reflection become the fuel to galvanize us into action.
WARNING! Proceed with extreme caution. The fuel comes from a source--God. We must adhere to His directions. The silent moments are your building ground. Here your relationship with God is developed and established, because now you are walking by faith and not by sight. You need spiritual refreshing. Refreshing of your mind and spirit will allow you to see the vision God, what He has ordained for you. Repose is order. In your repose, you should be listening and hearing from your Teacher as you prepare to return on your journey. Certain ones, you are capable to carry out the task God has assigned for you.
Although we have not met, I have the utmost confidence in you. You have been selected, appointed, and anointed. I can feel your spirit bearing witness now. You will not be overshadowed with fear, self-doubt, and isolation. You will walk in the power of the Almighty God and you will emerge as the victor you are destined to be. Isn’t it funny that no matter how many times we hear the saying “I was called into ministry, it was not a personal choice,” while many still miss the mark of its meaning. The young woman introduced in the beginning; did not ask to wear white. In the biblical sense, white represents purity and wholesomeness. In the natural world, white is difficult to keep clean. It is a job. If there is a spot, it is immediately noticeable. Passivity is not an option. It takes supreme effort on our part to be successful in life. If you want a successful marriage, that takes effort. You must work at it. If you want a successful business, you have work at it. Success does not fall from the sky and it is not by chance. Success is being prepared. Success is gaining knowledge. Success is making sound decisions, and then going after what your purpose is in life.