As I have been working through a study by John Bevere, I’ve been really pondering the point that John makes in his book, The Awe of God. ‘Every human being has three images of themselves. There’s the perceived image, the projected image, and the actual image.’
As I have been learning to promote my recently retitled book, which was released in April this year, I have been instructed to research what others are doing. I do not doubt in my heart that GOD breathed life into this book (I am forever grateful to Bridge-Logos). I want it to accomplish all that God wants to do with it, but again, it does take action on my end.
How do I do that with my ‘actual image?’
It’s been a long, deep struggle of mine to be concerned about what other people think of me (Perceived Image). In some areas of my life, I walk boldly and unconcerned of the opinions of others, but then there are times when I become mousey and introverted, lacking confidence to even speak, let alone, promote.
John, in his book, goes on to describe how Jesus’ was encouraged to “go where your followers can see your miracles.” Other words go toot your own horn, let people see who you are. Those who were trying to advise Jesus how to walk out his ministry were controlled by how other perceived Jesus. They were in fear of man.
I sometimes walk in fear of man.
Projected Image. I suppose I am falling into this category when I had my wig on, or as my husband called it, Raquel. Why did I wear it, because I want people to see me as healthy and strong. Hiding the fact, I had gotten a bad report back in November 2024 and the effects of the chemotherapy treatments were damaging my outward appearance, loss of hair, weight, and brightness of eyes.
Today, my Actual Image is I have hair approximately ½” long, my eyes are brighter, I have gained back my weight back, and I am in much need of toning muscle lost because of multiple reasons. That is just my outward appearance.
Who am I inside?
I am a person who loves to share with others all the things of God, found in HIS WORD and show how he has me to apply it. To walk along with someone who struggles with a self-damaging belief to gain inner healing, all while testifying how I continue to gain inner healing myself, and how the LORD is leading me.
I am an author (writer). I am a mentor (as I am mentored). I am an inspirational speaker, not to be compared with anyone else.
Recently the Lord shared with me; Georgia you cannot enlarge the place of your tent over someone else territory. You cannot lengthen your tent cords past the boundaries I have for you. Stop comparing yourself to others.
I still am bewildered as to why I received 750 17″ x 11″ brochures in the mail, free!
If you go back to my social media post, you will find that the size was an error, and I returned them to the printing shop to have the correct size printed, which management quickly made right and gave me an extra 50 brochures, making up for the cost of being charged for the larger ones.
The three boxes arrived on my front porch only minutes after it I prayed over the 8.5 X 11 marketing material, and books that I had packaged up to go to Chattanooga TN. I simply asked the Lord to bless my efforts.
Why would the Lord bless me with these HUGE, embarrassing brochures?
As some of you may know I have been blessed with a couple of opportunities to share my heart and ‘speak.’ As I have been preparing, I have been comparing myself to other speakers that I have been blessed to hear and trying to make it “INSPIRATIONAL” instead of it being from the heart (which ultimately is inspirational).
Again, I ask myself, what Image am I going to walk in?
When I got a voice mail message on my phone sharing the program schedule of the ‘bigger’ event that I am doing, I was caught off guard when I heard, your time to speak will be approximately 15 minutes. I felt a mix of emotions-surprise, Doubt, and a tinge of inadequacy. Can I even be inspirational in fifteen minutes?
I’m just being honest here with you all, I truly thought I would have more time to share.
Looking over again at the brochures that are piled up in my office, I had a moment of feeling foolish. Words, stir in my head; How can I say I am a inspirational speaker if I am only doing 15-minute slots.
Though, in the past I have been able to speak over longer periods of time, I have to pause, and ask the Lord; What is this all about?’ Am I trying to make something that I am not ready for? Am I to continue to pursue this endeavor as an Inspirational Speaker?
My heart is comforted with this word dropped in my heart; Georgia, just be you, and let me shine down on your obedience, I will bless your efforts that are truly found in my heart for you to do. And this scripture came to mind.
Isaiah 54:2 TPT Increase is coming, so enlarge your tent and add extensions to your dwelling. Hold nothing back! Make the tent ropes longer and the pegs stronger.
I conclude this post by encouraging each person who reads it. What image are you walking out in life? Let us each discover what God says about who we are, and not worry about being afraid of man.
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