As we’re facing the last month of 2013, I hope many of you are taking the time to assess what you’ve accomplished this year.  Yes, time flies when you’re having fun! 

     The church I attend had proclaimed 2013 as the “YEAR OF INTENTION – Impact, Impart, and Implement!”  When I heard it in January, I took the declaration very seriously.  I no longer felt the need to complain about the struggles of not having life’s little luxuries – i.e. expensive watches, clothes and first class travels.  I no longer wanted to explain my reasons to anyone for not stepping back into the mediocre workplace and missing out on what I believe God challenged me to do.

     I knew this year would advance me into a sense of being.  In order to find a level of faith within myself, I had to withstand distractions from others, disappointments by others, and discouragement found through others.  I had to continuously seek and draw strength from the man above – God.  And through this process, the two demons of complaining and explaining faded.

     What began to replace those two demons was the positive offer of ‘change’ and become truly ‘productive’.  I’m sure each of us will go through this transformation at least once in our lifetime.  For many it’s all about staying true to who you are and what you know is right and just.

     In the early 19^th Century, Solomon Northrup a free-born African American from Saratoga, New York had everything in life.  As a professional musician he was framed into a musical deal by some shanty hustles and unknowingly kidnapped into slavery!  To go from having his own respectable life in the North, a good home and wonderful family – Solomon would be thrown into the shock of his life.  Having never experienced slavery in his life, this culture shock would attempt to shake his belief.  It took twelve years to keep the belief that he would be free again one day.

     Solomon’s story now in theaters nationwide, displays a character that didn’t complain or explain his sad situation to everyone he met.  He kept a careful strategy to change his situation, no matter how dangerous it got to be.  During the twelve years of his odyssey, Solomon finally saw his “Year of Intention.”  It came and he was able to reclaim his life again.  Can you imagine the brutality of what he had to endure day after day – and having to internally deal with the two demons to complain and explain?  If he chose to openly complain about his situation to anyone, he would’ve met death by his slave owners.

     So what are you complaining about today?  Are you struggling what to do about your life but keep making excuses or complaining?  Shake off the ‘why’ and the ‘what if’s’ and rid yourself of confusion!  Begin to change your attitude and start producing.  Your journey may not be as like Solomon Northrup, but you can find pitfalls and roadblocks to it!  Whatever the case, stay true to your belief, it’ll eventually pay off!

Let go people and do some good!

www.foxsearchlight.com/12yearsaslave