Getting Back Into The Swing Of Things

It's been a while. While is may be an understatement... I recorded my next episode, but to be quite honest I am not fully satisfied. I think I may go record it again. This won't be part of my normal blog content, but rather an outpour of random thoughts, current status, and creating accountability for myself. I may have under estimated how much time this would cost me to be consistent with this project. Not an excuse, but rather I need to shift how I use my time to keep this as a priority. I love doing this podcast, I really do. I've received so much positive feedback and support for people who feel this is really making a difference and impacting them. But between scripting, recording, editing, uploading, social media strategy, it's a handful as a one-man show.

Part of this I think is also overcoming my own doubts and fears. Everyone else is doing a podcast, why would people listen to me? But then, I had this realization. This internet is a big space, there is room for everyone. Where God is leading you, He will not disappoint you. He's also been nudging me more than ever to get back to it. Life has been busy, distracting, and there's a lot keeping me on the go between work, life, and just finding my balance.

I feel it on my heart to start writing more, sharing more, and really take my vision for MTE to the next level. I have an idea of where I am taking this and how I want to continue to expand this beyond just the podcast. For me, this is unlocking the keys to my calling and my why.

"To give people the tools and resources they need to succeed." This is something I thought I knew back in my 20s, but let the notion fade because I felt it wasn't compelling enough or like I knew how I was going to do it. But as time has gone on, I've grown, experienced have shaped me, and now with a library of stories to share - it's all coming to me now. More Than Expected is about to get a refresh and expand into more than just a podcast. As I dive deeper into the impact I have, how I am connecting with others, and the skills I bring to the table. I see a bigger vision to help others more directly. I am coming to terms with understanding more of my purpose and my why. All my life feels like I've been running after something - and it's true! I am always chasing a new dream, new goal, new vision. But the quetion lies in what am I running after? Truth be told, for a long time I didn't know myself, but as long as it looked like I kept running forward eventually something would unravel. Let's be frank, that's exhausting and consumes far to much energy to not have a purpose or end in sight. Perhaps all along, this has been the necessary part of my journey to be where I am today. To have this realization that God has been places parts and pieces of the puzzle to guide me to build something greater than I. As Romans 11:29 states: "For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.", meaning what God has designed me for is not something I can change. He intentionally designed me with specific gifts and purpose. I've known I am gifted and talented, but my question has always been - but at what? All my life I have been told that I "have potential" and this statement always irked me. What does that even mean? Why is it something that I have to grow into? Why is it not now? Am I just not there yet? Do you see me as a failure? These thoughts and ideas have swirled in my mind for years. It's the one word next to "moist" that just gets under my skin. Finally as years of sitting with this, letting is quietly stew in the back of my mind. I think I am coming onto something. I am ready to step out and step into what God has called me. I needed a season to go hide in a cave and quietly work away at the things he's been trying to chip at my heart. This was a necessary part of the process to position and prepare me for what's to come. Had this been a year ago, I wouldn't have been ready because I would've been leading out of ego. Ego is self and in my eyes is Edging God Out. I needed to come to a place of surrender, vulnerability and be fully transformed from the inside out.

As my experiences, skills, and calling comes into convergence, I ultimately realize my own purpose. Every why and person's ultimate motive has a deeper underlying story to propels them into their own greatness and calling. I have a deep desire to serve others and strive for a mission that is bigger than I. This comes from a place of selflessness and yearning to see others succeed in discovering their purpose and alignment in whatever God has for them. It's helping them dig deeper into themselves and shining the flashlight to uncover the things they already knew but forgot about. It's being a communication catalyst to articulate into words and sentiments the things they cannot say. It's holding up the mirror as a friend and showing them the reflection of who they are and their God-given purpose. How I am going to do this? Through speaking, coaching, and writing. The coaching part should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. If I had a dollar for every time someone said I should be a coach or therapist, I would probably be retired in my beach house in Spain by now. But those are other dreams in the works ;)

This is my statement, to say the vision of More Than Expected is growing greater to expand into More Than Potential. Potential is limiting, it's learning to remove the limiting beliefs and move the needle - from potential to possible.

As I am narrowing my focus and removing distractions to keep my eyes on my goals to sharpen my skills and continue authoring my story, my speaking opportunities have begun to open up more and I see this being an area I will continue to explore.

Reflecting on what I've written above, I am thinking of the preach I recently did at my church. I titled it "Grace for your Race" and explained the story of Esther. For her to step into royalty it came at a cost - she needed to prepare, pray, and then proceed. While preaching this message, I felt part of it was also preaching to myself. It was getting me ready to step into my own Esther season. I've included the link below, please skip to 43:00 as the beginning is buffer, worship, and announcements.

Grace For Your Race

If you're someone who has been following me on this journey for some time, I want to extend my deepest gratitude. If you're someone who is new to following me, thanks for coming along. I hope to continue to deliver something that is always more than expected.

Much Love, Jazz