It’s Time to Occupy! by Julianne Pearson

In 2005, I had the privilege of writing and publishing a book entitled “Getting What’s Already Yours! – 7 Keys to Taking Possession”.  The 7 Keys to Taking Possession are:

1.      Walk in God-Confidence NOT Self-Confidence

2.      Be More Determined than Your Enemy

3.      Never Settle for Anything Less than God’s Best!

4.      Completely Destroy Everything that Hinders You!

5.      Speak with God-given Authority!

6.      Check Your Inner-Me!

7.      Develop Bulldog Tenacity

Over the past six years I’ve been enlightened to one invaluable lesson:  Possessing is not enough; it is now time to occupy! 

According to most dictionaries, possess and occupy are considered synonymous.  However, I’ve gained a greater understanding of their slight difference in meaning that can make all the difference in each of our lives.  Let me explain.

To possess means “to obtain”; however, to occupy means “to be established in or to live”.  Can you see the slight difference?  Taking possession of something does not guarantee an individual will have the capacity to occupy that thing.  Allow me to give you a few examples to solidify this thought.

·        Many possess a vehicle; however, some forfeit occupying through repossession.

·        Many possess a house; however, some do not occupy the property due to foreclosure.

·        Many possess an income; however, few occupy a cash flow.

·        Many possess a gift or talent; however, there are individuals who lack the character to occupy the very place or position their gift or talent takes them.

·        Many possess a marriage certificate and ceremony; however, based on recent divorce statistics fewer individuals occupy the marriage as a spiritual union.

·        And in light of July 4^th, Independence Day, all Americans possess freedom; however, many aren’t fortified morally, mentally, or emotionally to be free.

In my life experience, I have discovered that it is fairly simple to take possession; however, simply possessing is no longer acceptable.  I am ready to occupy – to be established, live, grow, and thrive – in every area I choose to possess.  To successfully occupy every possession takes personal discipline through the consistent application of Truth on a daily basis.

Today, I encourage you…don’t settle for possessing, choose to occupy!  Persistently endeavor to develop in character to handle the weight of the responsibilities that come with every possession.  For it’s in occupying that a legacy is established.  Therefore, our descendants are depending on us to make our ceiling their floor!  Now can you see why possessing is just not enough?  It’s time to occupy!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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Building in the Dirt – Part 3 of 3 by Julianne Pearson

"Preparation is NEVER a Waste of Time!" - Bishop T. D. Jakes

Throughout the week, I have been sharing with you lessons I’ve learned from my various dirt-dwelling experiences.  First, I spoke of the PLANTING process.  We must consider ourselves planted seeds that God, our Farmer, has strategically positioned in the earth for maximum growth.  Every soil condition was divinely selected in order for us to yield a fruit-full harvest.  Additionally, it is also important for us to embrace the Truth that we are seeds with seeds!  Too often we look outside of ourselves for wealth, when in actuality God has already empowered us to prosper from the inside out.

            Secondly, I progressed in thought by releasing the importance of the GERMINATION process.  It is time for all of us to capitalize on our dirt-dwelling experiences, gaining all the benefits of cultivation that is necessary as we continue to grow up and out of our circumstantial confinements to a level of personal freedom.  There’s no need to live in the spirit of comparison.  God, our Farmer, knows exactly the amount of time and style of cultivation that is necessary for us to finally be transformed into our authentic “you”!  Believe it or not…our authentic “you” is the worship God has been longing for since He earthed each of us into time.  For when we grow into our authentic “you” and are living re-presentations of that Truth, we are His Imagination of us made a reality.

            Now as we proceed in this process of building in the dirt, let’s continue sprouting to breakthrough as we discipline ourselves to…

Appreciate the Building Process to Breakthrough!

            If you have been struggling like me, begin to appreciate and embrace your time building in the dirt.  It is our time of preparation.  God promises to do “exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that [works] within us” (Ephesians 3:20, NIV).  May the power within you be quickened to produce wherever you are planted.  Trust me when I say that your chances of being transplanted before you grow in your current soil condition is very unlikely.  Know that the Farmer Himself has scheduled the set time for your exposure and the set time for each harvest of your life.

            When we grow to understand our lives are in His Hands, we will continue to pursue destiny REGARDLESS of the conditions we are planted in.  When we tap into the authorized power within us, circumstances and surroundings will be our launching pads instead of our cemetery plots.  Nothing and no one will be able to prevent our growth just like the seed that is surrounded by the earth’s soil and is determined to germinate, sprout, and breakthrough its confining space.  We would never know the potential that lies within a seed without its time in the dirt.  Our dirt-dwelling experiences give God the opportunity to show us our true, authentic potential.  Many of us would remain content in the status quo or the too familiar positions of mediocrity if it were not for the uncomfortable, dirty places of our lives.  Like the seed, it is the soil conditions that push us on, pressing us to produce what we would otherwise not even know existed within.

Like me, some of you must consider yourselves transplanted seeds!

            I confess...I am a transplanted seed.  God saw fit to plant me first in one soil condition, allow me to begin germinating and then transplanted me into yet another pile of dirt.  It’s safe to say, my dirt-dwelling experiences seem to be an extended process.  At times, I have to rebuke the urge to live in the spirit of comparison, wondering why someone else’s seeds have been planted, germinated, sprouted, and harvested.  All the while, my season for breakthrough seems to be delayed again and again.

            God showed me that my distorted perception of my growth progression had to change.  Maybe I have more to die to or maybe I am a hard seed to crack.  Or just maybe, for the purpose God has placed in my seeds, they must take d-e-e-p root so that when my breakthrough does take place, and I have emerged from my place of hiding into full bloom, I will be able to withstand the weight of the calling and anointing on the harvest that has been produced. 

So now, I am hopeful your perspective has been renewed to reflect Truth.  No longer see yourself as just dwelling in the dirt…You are building in the dirt, and the bountiful harvest will be worth the wait! 

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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