No Longer My Own by Guest Blogger Iris Celeste
I have not always been obedient to God’s call. In fact, for many years it never dawned on me that He even had a plan for my life. For so very long, I followed my own path staggering blindly down a road going nowhere. After running far off course, it became a road where soon nothing mattered. Spiritually I was lacking and my soul drifted aimlessly for a resolution. An inward peace. The trouble was I didn’t know who I was or whom I belonged to. But thank God for the prayers of the righteous. How many of you know that God will interrupt your journey to fulfill His purpose and He does not accept no for an answer. Without my consent, everything around me started to shift. The life that I knew was no more. I was in the middle of a metamorphosis. God was transforming me from the inside out. I fought it for as long as I could, but eventually surrendered all. Obedience is better than sacrifice. In doing so, God deposited favor in my life.
I was beginning to view myself as God seen me—a treasure in earthen vessel! I recognized that every obstacle, every wrong turn, every bad decision was a divine setup to propel me into my destiny. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. My mind was broadened. My purpose revealed. My way made. All that was left for me to do was take the first step in the right direction. However, my adversary would not make it easy. With each attempt to walk purposefully came snares. Enticements of my old way of living were placed in my passage as stumbling blocks. Yet discernment would not allow me to be lured. My consciousness had been awakened and there was no going back. God had greatness in store for me and I was determined to reach my ordained birthright. My future held promise and the devil did not like it. But he was powerless in preventing what was already in progress. Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of completion.
My life was no longer my own. I was a child of God and He was using me as a vessel to fulfill His will. I welcomed the change and relinquished all power to make myself available to Him. As my soul prospered, remnants of the former me was being left behind. Brokenness was restored. Self-esteem reclaimed. My spirit renewed. Giving birth to a new creature full of gifts and abilities to be fashioned for His glory. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. No, that does not mean I am perfect, flawless or without error. I still sometimes make mistakes. I do slip and fall along the way. But while picking up the pieces and placing them at His feet, I am steadily conforming into the woman God has created me to be—blessed!
Iris Celeste is your ordinary girl next door who stepped out on faith to self publish her debut novel Praise Your Way Through. A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Because being saved doesn’t mean being perfect. To read an excerpt or order a copy of the book visit her website at www.irisceleste.webs.com. Iris also writes a weekly column As a Woman Thinketh for Big Time Publishing Magazine and a contributing writer for Victorious Magazine.
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Tagged with: Guest Blogger • Iris Celeste
Filed under: Life
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Iris this is what I needed to get my week started–great fuel for the week.
i’m glad to hear it! thank you so much for the open forum to express. i appreciate the opportunity! much love.