Faith to See with God's Eyes

   

Faith that cannot see will not experience
 manifestation.

     I walk into a dark room and I prayed I would be able to access what I needed without bumping my foot and getting hurt in the process. Then I received the revelation that is exactly how faith operates. God does not want us to hurt but to come to the level of understanding of how to use our faith sense in the darkest of times. 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jermiah 29:11 (NLT)

 It is in that moment of darkness, not having a map or blueprint of where you are going or how you are going to get there, that the reality of faith is experienced. This is the time the wisdom of God should become active in our lives so that we can access 'her' for guidance. The Holy Spirit knows how to get you to where you are destined. However, this aligns when you take that step of faith, moving in the darkness, the mind of God is tethered to your mind that you gain access to the darkness that manifests itself in the light. God is our eyes to gain access to supernatural things. 

    It is easy to navigate a space when you have traversed it time and time again. That is not faith! Your experiences give you confidence after you have come through the circumstances. The knowledge of going through something that you have not yet experienced; you knowing that you are going to get through requires faith. Faith that is matured. 

    You have goals but not access, you have reach but don't know the journey of getting there. All of this requires God's eyes. Faith to the level of not just your expectation but of dimensions that supersedes the natural. Like I was explaining earlier, you take a blindfold and cover your eyes. You set of goal of an object you want to reach and tangibly retrieve. You set out on the journey in that room you have traversed to create reach. You have knowledge of the layout of this room to guide you. Consider that maybe this integrated element that was interwoven inside of you that you did not place there yourself. Your potential to bump your foot and fall hit your face on a table, and receive a concussion is at one hundred percent. 

    Do you take the risk to attain reach of that which you seek to obtain? Faith is a risk. It propels you to take action but in wisdom. Blind faith is a thing. This is where you walk blindly in a space of the unknown not trusting in anything or just trusting in yourself. We don't want that type of faith. We want to propagate the type of faith that operates in the wisdom of God. Many people walk through life with their eyes wide shut which leads them to destruction. Their vision is linear. Some can only see what is in front of their noses. Faith's vision is circular. It is dependent on the wisdom of God to give lead and direction within the four cardinal points. Fear that you become fugitive to blind faith.

Growing Pains

Photo credit: Tanya ChaponovaThe DeepThoughts Painting 

     For six-years, I have walked in a place where I now believe, I may have settled. I was enthusiastic about a career path for growth, development, and continuous acceleration.  Growth and development turned into stagnation. At least that is how it felt to me. I went through a period of feeling despondent. Though I loved my profession, I sought ways to escape the environment.

    Inclining your ear to the heart of God positions you to fulfill assignments to benefit his people. Being in a career that was becoming a dead-end was not the end to my growth, but the end of an assignment.

    Under the weight of the pressure of the weight of every assignment, there is that slight chance that you can abort your purpose. Moreover, there is a God who is faithful to strengthen you and gird you up for the journey ahead.

    It is natural to become callous about the assignment. How do you stay focused? It is like a train that almost becomes derailed. Through inspection, qualification, maintenance, and training one can assess potential hazards. The sooner we realize the dangers of our decisions we can avert the consequences that lay wait.

    So I pivoted and readjusted my mindset and did what I always did, waited on the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 states, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

    In my field of work as a microbiologist, I was responsible for training new employees. I loved my work and the people. However, my assignment was quite different. It was to be a light in a place that was dark and cold.

    I struggled when I started my journey, the tears, fears, pain, anger, motivations, were all part of the journey of becoming. God knows our end from our beginning. It is learning to trust him with our insecurities that makes all the difference.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

    God will always prepare you for the place he takes you. It is your willingness to be processed and allowing the strength of God to bear the weight of your burdens

    I have now come into a new land, and the opportunity is great, yet burdensome. Moreover, with all that I have observed in this new season of my life requires a sober mind. I realize that where I am now, it was never a case of development; moreso, a case of the establishment.

    Never allow the fear or trepidation of thinking that you are not worthy enough to walk before Kings. Understand that God is the one who qualifies you. I thank God for His Spirit which has revealed to me the weight of the assignment. As I am sharpened in this new place of unfamiliarity, I trust God for the strength and the capacity to be a beacon of His light in the darkest places.

Women in Business Feature Shundell Osborne- The Teacherpreneur

Deborah's Muse sat down in an interview with Shundell Osborne, a teacherpreneur. Shundell has been teaching for 31 years and owns her own school for 7 years. She professed that with all she has invested, "it is not about the income but about the outcome." She also urged parents to not compare their children.

"I press on."

Deborah’s Muse: Who is Shundell Osborne? 

Shundell: I am Shundell Patricia Osborne. I am the fourth child of my parents, born in the month of May. I'm dark and beautiful with a unique personality. I'm a teacher by profession for 31 years. I've taught in the public school for seventeen years, then migrated to the Bahamas where I taught for six years. Then I migrated back to my beautiful homeland where I taught at the New Guyana school for one year after which I followed my dream and launch my own school. Colors OF LIFE PLAYSCHOOL.

Deborah’s Muse: What service does your business provide? 

Shundell: My business provides an Educational service opened to the public. A right start for a brighter future.  Clean safe fun learning environment Where we cater to your child's five spices, social, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and educational needs. Small classroom setting and very affordable.

Deborah’s Muse: Where is your business located?

Shundell: Colours of life playschool is located in the heart of Vergenoegen at Lot 4  Markenday street.

Deborah’s Muse: How can you be contacted? 

Shundell: I can be contacted via telephone, email, or Whatsapp. My contact information is as follows landline number:260 -2082 cell phone number; 6732495 and my email address is 0sborneshundell@gmail. com. If you call,  text, or email me and don't get an immediate response I  will get back to you as soon as I am available.

Deborah’s Muse: Describe briefly your academic journey? 

Shundell: My academic journey was one with lots of hurdles, but like the saying goes the race is not for the swift but for those who endure to the end. My journey began at the Vergenoegen Nursery School then at the Philadelphia Primary school where I spent my primary years. After writing the SSEE examination I was awarded a place at the Vergenoegen Community High school. I further pursuit of my goals at the Cyril Potter College of Education where I  received my class one grade one early childhood certificate.

Deborah’s Muse: What was your motivation behind choosing teaching as a career? 

Shundell: As a child growing up, teaching was never something I wanted to do. I was aspiring to become a nurse but because I wasn't of the right age I was persuaded by my fathe to choose another career.  His advice was '"you will do good teaching at a nursery school". Being the youngest on the job I was motivated and encouraged by the H.M (Head Mistress) and teachers at the school. So hats off to the previous H.M and staff members at the Vergenoegen nursery school. (staff members of 1989-2006)

Deborah’s Muse: Were there challenges in pursuing your academic goals? 

Shundell: Yes they were challenges some greater than some but with God in the picture and a great support team behind I was able to climb those hurdles with ease

Deborah’s Muse: How did you use your career as an Educator to establish your business model? 

Shundell: As an educator, I was taught not to show favoritism among no one you treat everyone the same no matter their socio-economic status, race, cultural background, etc. My business targets the public at large.  Most of my customers I  taught them at the Vergenoegen nursery school so they are eager to have me teach their children. Another is my years of teaching in the business arena. I have a wide knowledge and experience that would attract customers. People from in and out of vergenoegen attend my school. So there is not a problem where the school is located I'm an individual attraction and a household name.

Deborah’s Muse: Some people truly possess the gift of teaching. What character traits you possess that channeled you to become successful as you ventured into the business arena? 

Shundell: As for me teaching is an art and you have to love it to do it. It's not the income for me but the outcome, making sure that a child develops holistically. Children must feel loved, a sense of security, and eagerness to go to school because of the teacher's approach towards them. We need to realize as teachers the children are our future . So if we beat and abuse them physically,  mentally, and emotionally we are destroying them. Let's encourage them and mold and fashion them in the right way. Correct them in love speak being into them and you would see what they can do.

Deborah’s Muse: What was the largest obstacle you encountered while expanding your business? 

Shundell: The biggest difficulty in getting my business off the ground was public awareness.

Deborah’s Muse: What is one fundamental principle you profess to live by as a business owner? 

Shundell: Humbleness and determination are my priced character traits.  These are what channeled me to be successful as I ventured off into the business arena. Combining these with focusing and setting my eyes on the price led me to bigger success.

Deborah’s Muse: How has the SAR CoV-2 also known as COVID 19 affected your business? 

Shundell:Because of this virus my school was severely affected. My  school was closed since 16 th  March 2020  until the 30th April  2021. During that period no teaching was done so the children was at a  great disadvantage.

Deborah’s Muse: If it was business as usual, what preventative action did you employ to protect your clients? 

Shundell: All the covid 19 guidelines and protocol would have been followed.

Deborah’s Muse: What was the biggest difficulty in getting your business off the ground? 

Shundell: Finance was the largest obstacle I encountered as I expanded my business.The demands for a larger workforce and the ability to employ someone with the appropriate intelligence and requirements.

Deborah’s Muse: What advice would you give your fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business? 

Shundell: My advice to my fellow women who are having difficulty starting that business is that in everything you do put God first. Stay focus and humble. Have positive people to guide you and follow after your dreams.

 

Positioned for the Promise: Numbers 13 Part One

 Today is the sixth day of the sixth month of the year two thousand and twenty-one according to the Gregorian calendar. Moreover, according to the Jewish calendar, it is Sivan twenty-six in the year fifty-seven eighty-one.

I think that there is no irony concerning time and how it is orchestrated and synchronize to align itself in the civil calendar and Jewish calendar

Sivan is pronounced (seey-van). Sivan is the 3rd month of the Hebrew year. It originates from the Chaldee root, which means rejoices or "month of rejoicing"(Chabad.org). It also means covering.

Sivan also carries an implied meaning of newness or a new beginning. Consider the events in Numbers 13. Let us look a scripture (graphē; graf-ay). The book of Numbers 13 lies to the root of a very pivotal decision for the children of Israel after they were delivered out of Egypt. If you can recall, when the Lord met Moses and commissioned him to be used of the Lord;; he gave him a promise.

…16Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites— a land flowing with milk and honey’ (Exodus 3:17).

Now Moses and the children of Israel were at a crossroads. They were given a promise of a word of the God who delivered them. Now, they were going to be instructed to see the promise so that they could possess the promise. 

In Numbers 13, we see that the Children of Israel were camped in the Wilderness of Paran. Paran means "place of caverns," so they were in caves. God commanded Moses to send leaders of the tribes to seek out the land of 'Promise.' They obediently went and the assignment lasted 40 days. You will see how your ability to act or not act can contribute to your delay or disaster in possessing your promise.

Moreover, after 40 days the leaders came back with their report. The report embodied evidence, perception, position, and purpose.

When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, 26they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh, and brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the land’s fruit (Numbers 13:25)

 It is clear that based on the reports of the leader that the Children of Israel still had doubts about what God said he would do. It is also important that you be sober-minded about those that you chose to follow as leaders. It could cost you your promise and even more your life. 

The leader's belief can influence your ability to project you thinking to a belief in future of hope.

 You see evidence of this in Numbers 13:27

"They reported to Moses and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit."

 "...Certainly, what God told you was true." In this statement, we see that ten of the leaders lacked the courage to go up and possess the land. It is pertinent to ask the question, "Why did Moses change Hoshea's name before he embarked on the journey to scout out the 'Promise Land.' It is my belief that the name change here aligned Joshua with the authority of God and putting on of the name Joshua was a mantling and positioning for executing the words of the Lord to acquire the promise.

Joshua was going to lead the new generation into the promised land and he was going to offload a performance of the power of the God He was named Joshua which means Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour (Kind James Bible Dictionary).

Enterthebible.org gives analysis:

Moses sends "spies" into Canaan to investigate the land, to see whether it is "good or bad" (13:19). The land proves to be good, indeed. A single cluster of grapes requires two men to carry it on a pole between them! Pomegranates and figs abound as well. The story gives the name to the place to which the spies were sent: Wadi Eshcol ("eshcol" in Hebrew means "a cluster of grapes").

 There was a richness to be had in the 'Land of Promise.' Your ability to cross over to possess the promise is oftentimes misguided. However, you don't have to die in your wilderness situations. Life gets tough, as it oftentimes will but God is still your Jehovah Jireh (provider). He makes a way of escape and if you should hold fast to the Word of His Promise, great things will He cause you to possess.

Number 13 is so rich with encouragement and direction for you to walk into your promise therefore I admonish you to read it for yourself. The pinnacle of Israel's inability to possess the land was their disobedience. Unbelief will lead to disobedience which leads to dispossession and dis-position of Caanan. 'Dis' means to do the opposite of (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

In the 'Promised Life' they are things that await you which God longs for you to experience. Just as in Caanan... 

"grapes grow in beautiful clusters and correspond to tiferet (beauty), Figs correspond to netzach (endurance), which engenders longevity. The fig tree reflects everlasting fruitfulness as it has one of the longest periods of ripening, spanning more than three months, and Pomegranate, a very beautiful and majestic fruit, even has a crown. It corresponds to hod, which means majesty and glory. Hod is also related to the Hebrew word toda which means thanks and recognition."

 Position, Perceive, and Possess are three elements vital to living in God's Promise.

Work on the posture of your heart and let God heal, cleanse, and transform your heart so that you become positioned in your belief about who God is and what He can do. God tested Israel's leaders that even though they were able to see the promise they did not have to courage or endurance to go in a possess the promise. This leads me to my third point. Obedience is a state of being so that you can possess your inheritance. Obedience pleases God. A generation of defiant hearts died without entering into the promise, they saw the beauty, the richness, and wealth that awaited them but refuse to submit. Because God is God we know how this story ends. The generation that came after the forty years did not know God. Let that not be you today. Seek wise counsel so that you're positioned in what you perceive to possess your promise.

 

 

 

Women in Business Feature Dunisa Joyce: Secrets to Becoming Established in the Online Market

Deborah's Muse sat with Dunisa Joyce who is co-founder to Joyce's Online Shopping and Courier Service. She humbly explanined that Glen Joyce, her husband, is the vissionary behind their business. Read in depth, as she shared her sercrets to becoming established in the Online Market.

Deborah's Muse What type of business do you have? 

Dunisa: The business that we currently have is an online shopping and courier service. Online in the sense that if you need any particular item that is not available in Guyana we can source it for you and have it available at your door front. Anything from a feather to a car. Courier service - we provide you with a mailing address snd you can ship to the mailing address, then you are informed when 

Deborah's Muse: What's the name of your business?

Dunisa: The name of the business is Joyce’s Online shopping and Courier service. Our tag line or motto: making online shopping a walk in the park. Just tell us what u need and we will do the rest for you. 

Deborah's Muse: Describe your early childhood and how it influenced your path in business? 

Dunisa: During my childhood, I was always surrounded by women entrepreneurs. From my grandmother to my mother, these women in my life were always selling something. I grew up on a farm where my grandparents sold Poultry, fruits, and vegetables, and I was a part of it all. After primary school, I sold vegetables in the neighborhood. I was shy and embarrassed at first and eventually, I began to love it. I realized that the business arena held my passions. My mom opened a small grocery shop, a stall in the Georgetown arcade. After school, weekends and holidays, I was tasked to assist with either the arcade or the shop. I was in charge, and I loved satisfying customers, making them happy, and encouraging them to come again. I followed the example of two generational influences before me, my mother and my grandmother to become a "Woman in Business.' My mother is still into business even though she is retired. It’s in my blood and in my DNA. My diploma is in marketing gives me great insight on how to marketing my business to make forthwith (your first thought) in minds of the clientele. I also hold a degree in Business Management, this knowledge is used to manage and move the business to a different level.  

Deborah's Muse: How did you get started in the online industry? 

Dunisa:

My husband actually realized that persons needed items that are not easily available in Guyana or are very costly. The online businesses in Guyana are very expensive so he decided to penetrate the market and offer the same online experience but with excellent customer service and of course better service rate.

Deborah's Muse: What prompted you to venture into the online arena? 

Dunisa:  The Online industry was actually started by my husband as he is the founder. And together we built our brand to where it is today.

Deborah's Muse: At what point in your process did you discover that you wanted to be an entrepreneur? 

Dunisa: Wanting to be an entrepreneur has always been in my dreams since I was selling pointer brooms and ground provision as a little primary school girl.

Deborah's Muse: Did you have the resources to get started?

 Dunisa: Yes and no, but with help of persons we were able to venture into the business.

Deborah's Muse: Was there ever a moment where you did not feel supported? 

Dunisa: No; Never. We received the support of families, friends, church members, and even strangers. 

Deborah's Muse: Have you experienced any failures in business?

Dunisa: I wouldn’t term it a failure, but it’s a setback because presently we do not have an office space to offer the full experience to customers.

Deborah's Muse: Do you still hold a corporate profession.

Dunisa: Yes, I still hold a corporate profession. I am currently a coordinate at Massy Services Guyana limited (She has held this position for 10 years while building her brand).

Deborah's Muse: Some women's sole income is from the business they have started while you on-the-other-hand work a full-time job. Explain if corporate is where you seek to stay or will eventually break out to become solely devoted to your business?

Dunisa: It is my heart’s desire to venture into the business and be solely devoted to it. In that regard, I can fully put more effort and time into it and develop more branches across Guyana and offer job opportunities to my fellow Guyanese. 

Deborah's Muse: How do you create balance amidst the various shoes you have to fill? 

Dunisa:  Very good question! One of my favorite verses is Phillippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I balance business mostly on my lunch breaks, nights after work, and weekends. 

Deborah's Muse: Do you think ambition is an attitude or a mindset? 

Dunisa: In my humble and professional opinion, I strongly believe that ambition is a mindset. It’s a desire or determination to achieve the success of any kind. 

 

Deborah's Muse: Would you say you procrastinate when it comes to your business?

Dunisa: Yes, something I do procrastinate, but we know what it says that procrastination is a killer of time. So once time permits me I do what needs to be done. Because time and opportunity lost can never be regained. 

Deborah's Muse: Looking at yourself introspectively, how would you describe the woman in business who is prone to be successful? 

Dunisa: Firstly, you need to set a goal that you want to achieve. Mentally it can be strenuous due to other obligations. Regardless of our mental and emotional situations, determination is a recipe for success. Moreover, letting God take charge will definitely cause us to become successful. When you stay God-focused and Goal-focused you will enjoy success.

Deborah's Muse: How different is owning an online business versus a physical storefront?

Dunisa: A storefront offers a personalized experience with readily available assistance, but the same can be offered over the phone. 

We don’t have a physical store at the moment. We are working feverishly to acquire a store where we can continue to build a repertoire with our customers. Hence customers will have the experience of sitting and browsing from the comfort of our store and shop items that are readily available. 

Deborah's Muse: How can customers contact you?

Dunisa: Customers can contact us via our WhatsApp numbers 6010228 and 6803972 or our Facebook and Instagram page at Joyce’s Online Shopping.

Deborah' Muse: Work at building your dream. The ways in which we do so is through focus, diligence and discipline. Remember, Ecclessiates11:6 states, "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."

 Thank you to the Management and Staff of Joyce's Online Shopping and  Courier Services