The Testimony of Twenty-Two
My 23rd birthday is in a few days, and all I can think right now is, “God, THANK YOU!” The past few days, I’ve been filled with nothing but gratitude as I reflect on the goodness of God over this past year. I can confidently say I have a testimony concerning this 22nd year that I’d like to share with all of you! I said that in year 22, I would encounter God’s beauty, and surely I have. I think the most beautiful thing is that God beautified my life in many intangible, non-materialistic ways. When I asked God to beautify my life, I also requested that He touch every area of my life with His beauty, and He has.
It’s often so easy for us to get caught up in the materialistic, showy things that we forget about God’s faithfulness in the areas that matter most. I have to be honest here – I’ve shed a lot of tears this year over things I didn’t have and the disappointments I’ve felt because of it. But even in the midst of my faithlessness, God has been faithful! He never allowed the troubling storms of life to overcome me, nor the raging waters of my emotions to drown me! He’s kept me afloat and allowed me to continue to journey forward despite what I go through. I’m so grateful.
One thing I know for sure is God is faithful, and He who began a good work in me will complete and perfect it! God has adorned my spirit and soul with His beauty. I’ve experienced restoration in so many areas that I’ve been praying about for years. And He’s elevated me in areas I always longed for.
For the past few years, the area of friendship has been a little shaky. I would always pray about it, and a lot of times cry over it. I remember some time ago when I was praying about this area to God, He told me that He would restore. And restore He has. God has fully restored me in the area of friendship. I can confidently say that I have one of the best support systems, and by God’s grace, I believe it’ll only get better. It’s even greater than friendship; the relationships I have with my pastors, leaders, mentors, family, and friends have truly kept me during this past year! I’m greatly encouraged because I trust God in this area, and He’s continually unfolding great restoration and beauty before my eyes! I’m living out my prayer point!!!
In March of 2023, I began leading youth at my church. But in this year, 2024, I actually became a youth leader at my church. So far, leadership has been such a humbling and eye-opening experience for me. I truly continue to grow day by day in this area. I’m always surprised as I embrace leadership because I know myself and am aware of my flaws and shortcomings, yet God still chose me. It truly is beautiful how God qualifies the called! I believe that the statement “we grow in leadership” is true! I also laugh often now because something my pastor always said is, “The least of what I do is Sunday mornings and preaching…” Now, I’m nowhere near pastoring, but I have realized that leadership is greater than a title. Funny enough, oftentimes the event, meetings, or performance are the least of your leadership capacity. Real leadership takes place behind closed doors in your prayer closet, in weekly planning meetings, and on late-night phone calls. Leadership is a priestly calling, not a coveted position. I’ve been leading all of my life, now I believe I carry not only the grace but the anointing to lead. What they don’t tell you is there’s a level of consecration required by your calling.
This goes into the next, and biggest, part of my 22nd year. Never in my life did I think I could have this level of relationship with God. I truly enjoy my Christian life and my walk with God. Like I said prior, this year has been so hard. I’ve shed a lot of tears, but the beauty in it all is that I’ve been shedding tears at the feet of Jesus. God has a way of helping us and carrying us through hard seasons. The amount of times the Holy Spirit has helped me in this season is truly remarkable. My prayer life has grown exponentially! And by God’s grace, in this year, 2024 alone, I’ve finished studying 11 books of the Bible! The Word of God is sweet, I’m telling you! My capacity for the Word of God and the things of God has grown exceptionally. Often, my conversations with friends are based on the Word, and it is continually coming alive in me. A major lesson I’ve learned this year is to stick to my Christ-like discipline! I remember growing up and feeling like every sermon, we were told the same things: pray, fast, study the Bible, and fellowship! I always thought, how is THIS the answer to everything? Let me be honest with you, IT IS, in fact, the answer to everything! These four disciplines are the secret weapon for Christians! This is why the enemy fights them so much.
Usually, when we go through hard seasons, the four disciplines of our Christian walk tend to go away. All of a sudden, you don’t feel like praying and fasting, reading the Word has become a Sunday occasion, and you start to isolate yourself from the Christian community. But if you decide to remain consistent in these four areas, it’d be surprising what God does in you, in what feels like a drought season! You know what? One thing I am adamant about also is not allowing the good times to cause my fire for God to dwindle away. All of a sudden, because I’m experiencing the hand of God and His provision, I no longer care to seek His face…? No, this is an error. I want more of God in every season. God is my greatest reward in this life. He is enough for me. And that is the definition of beauty!
As God is beautifying and adorning me as a person, I’ve come to understand that He has to filter out the “ugly.” Three main things I now see God has heavily dealt with, and is continuing to deal with, are ingratitude, pride, and my posture towards service. In having fewer tangible and quantifiable things, I’ve become more grateful for the moments when I do have. I reflect back on different times in my life when I took certain luxuries or even necessities for granted. This has especially changed how I value my money and how I value people. For the rest of my life, I want to live with a deep sense of gratitude. I often say thank you to God, especially because it doesn’t matter if I have no money in my bank account or if I can’t do all the things I want to. I still have life and health. This is the utmost treasure. There are very wealthy people lying in hospital beds who, I’m sure, are willing to give away all they have for a longer healthy life. And here I have been ungrateful when I still have my life and health? Absolutely not. I want to be like Paul in this regard especially: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13 NLT. The real secret revealed when it comes to this particular scripture and mindset is that what I have or don’t have doesn’t determine my ability to fulfill what God has called me to do! What a revelation! I’m not limited by my circumstances. As God leads, I follow – nothing is impossible for Adonai!
In July of 2023, I stepped out in obedience to God and launched this blog. Through writing, I’ve found new meaning and a fresh wind of understanding concerning my calling and Kingdom purpose. God is intentional. I believe that I am called as a Kingdom Scribe. As an aspiring author and someone who’s passionate about relaying messages through words, the Takae Talks blog has been extremely instrumental to me. I’m always humbled, amazed, and blessed when someone tells me that they’ve been reading my blog – especially when they touch on how they’ve been moved by the words that I share. I continually ask God to speak through me on this platform, and over the past year, I’ve been able to see Him do so!
Before I wrap up this blog, I just want to share with all of you 22 lessons I’ve learned in my twenty-second year of life:
God is faithful. He keeps His Word and promises!
Step out on faith, and take the risk!
God WILL provide! He funds the righteous in unique ways.
Document your journey, and remember! Look back on how far God has brought you!
Health is vital. Take care of your body and eat well!
Live in the moment. Soon you’ll miss the very moment you’re overlooking right now.
One of the greatest Kingdom currencies is relationships! Honor and value them.
Truly, a good friend does make your heart glad!
It’s okay not to know your next step. As long as you remain in Christ, your steps are ordered!
No relationship or friendship is beyond redemption and divine restoration!
Studying the Bible is one of the greatest investments – both spiritually and naturally!
Don’t neglect fellowship! Among other believers, you can be uplifted and encouraged.
Leadership is greater than a title, it’s a calling and lifestyle!
Be generous! Always give, whether you have little or much.
Practice gratitude every single day. Every moment is a good moment to be grateful!
Life is bigger than a career, education, or a relationship.
Mastering self-discipline is one of the greatest keys in this life!
Trust God’s no.
Singleness is one of the best seasons of your life!
Hobbies are very important; aspire to have a few.
Forgive. Forfeiting eternity and internal peace isn’t worth harboring offense and bitterness.
God is in the restoration business! He will exchange your ashes for His beauty!
As I walk into my 23rd year of life, I am so grateful. This path I’m walking on has cost me so much, and I’m sure it’ll cost me more. But what I gain in Christ is worth the sacrifice! Twenty-two has been beautiful, and twenty-three will be glorious!
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