Confirmation= Validation

 I happen to be somewhat of a sneaker fan and so often times when purchasing shoes online, after waiting sometimes for nearly an hour to get the item in my cart and finally checking out, you're order is technically not complete until you've received the confirmation email that provides you with your order number. You have to be careful even after receiving your confirmation number because you don't fully know that the item is yours until you get your shipping notice and then your credit card has been charged. Often times we get excited about receiving confirmation only to discover the item is sold out or is on back order, which sometimes means incurring the disappointment of not being able to get the item or having to wait additional time before receiving it. By now you know I'm not speaking of sneakers or online shopping but I'm speaking about life.






Many times in life we may find ourselves in line awaiting for answers or seeking signs of approval for that new job, or new relationship, or even new opportunity. Some of us tend to make rapid decisions prematurely, similar to getting excited about the confirmation email and not awaiting the shipping notice which provides validation that our order is on the way. I'm learning the importance of being still. Making sudden moves or moves without confirmation can in may ways be detrimental. At times, we may get so caught up in our way and what we want, only to discover our way once again has failed. Lately, I have found myself at a stagnant place in life. A place where nothing is going wrong but at the same time, nothing is progressing. I realized that with confirmation also comes elevation and with elevation, you cannot operate from a place of who you once were! When God advances you to new levels in life and shuts doors in your life, it serves you no good to reconnect with people, places and things he has removed. It makes no sense to go back to bad habits and unhealthy mindsets and ways when that is no longer who you are.

I believe the true problem is the fact that when God has done a work within us, we get to a place where we feel we have arrived and are forever changed and then he reminds us that he is not finished with us yet. When we are elevated to new levels in life, this should mean new habits, new mindsets, new friends, etc. If you are finding yourself frustrated and unsure as to why you can't shake this uncomfortable feeling, perhaps you need to be still and do a self check. Are you resorting back to old ways? Are you hanging back out with those who don't add to your growth? Are you procrastinating? Are you holding out on pursuing that goal or dream? Being still allows you to not only effectively evaluate where you are in life, but it also allows God to provide you with confirmation that you cannot access when you are not still. Once confirmation is provided, its most important to obtain validation, which provides you with absolute certainty that you're either on the right track or that you need to turn around. Lack of confirmation and validation is like traveling without google maps. You are left to guess your way to destination, and I'm sure we all know that's nearly impossible without hitting many dead ends and wasting a lot of money on gas. Be careful not to find yourself making life decisions without confirmation. Only that which is confirmed will be beneficial and work out for our good in the end.