The Maze: A Self Re-discovery Guide

By Amazin' Ijeoma

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faunteewrites Limited
• Release date: Jun 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781913103064

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I received this message as an inspiration from the Almighty God.

My simple task has been to prepare it for editing and sent out for publication, ready for the world to receive it as a word from The One and only true God.

It’s a privilege and an undeserved honour to be a channel of deliv-ery and the receiver of this great message.

My special thanks to God for this rare opportunity.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this message to all those who have experienced pain and dis-appointment in any way. Those who are still in the process of discov-ering or finding out their area or areas of gifting, calling and ministry — and of course those who are believing God for the confirmation of His promises over their lives. It is indeed time to rise in strength and victory over the pressings of the enemy.

To my husband, Paul. My crown, beauty and backbone, with whom the Lord has crowned me. He has helped and supported this great commission, while working hard with me through its planning stages. Additionally, he has coached me through searching out the price of my own commission.

My children, four stars of excellence: Princess Zina, Benny, Divine and Paul Jr. They are part of this great commission. My first discovery and portion. They sacrificed their moments of parks and play times to allow me concentrate.

My parents HRH & Mrs JA Ogbodo and siblings. You are simply the best in all. You supported and stayed with me, even when all left. I love you.

My mentor and God’s servant, Pastor & Architect Ifechukwu Ife-zulike. You are a rare gem. A blessing to my world and generation. Your teachings have formed me into who I am today. Thank you for finding me. Thank you for being a huge contributor to my life’s purpose and fulfilment. I am a Model for Christ, His witness, because you saw the hidden potentials in me. You lived love, sacrificed, showed orderliness, discipline, and diligence and you taught me to live the same. Thank you for blessing me.

To the church family, JCCMA, under the leadership of Bishop Ben & Rev Florence Egbujor. Thank you for the platform to serve and carefully exercise my God given purpose. I sincerely appreciate your support.

To all my mentees, both young and advanced, especially Chantel Williams — may you find your life’s purpose and live fully in its ful-fillment.

My prayer is that the messages in this book will be a confirmation to what God has already spoken to you in time past concerning the discovery or rediscovery of your life purpose.

WASTED YEARS

Like the fruitless tree, awaiting its great fall Puzzling over a life full of mistakes and regrets

As I gazed at the rumpled pages of The Holy book I wondered, a life, so twisted and out of shape

Wind of misery blew, the clouds turned grey Uncertain about tomorrow

Depression enveloped me, shame blinded me. No hope dissipates Gently moving away from consciousness, I watched myself, lifeless Besieged by many thoughts.

Then suddenly, a voice call So convincing, promising

Calling for a relationship, offering help Clear and meaningful definition of life.

Tears of decision drops as I gently stood on my knees with my face buried in shame

Lifted, I beheld A being lifting my burdens as His, Wiping away my shame

He touched my dull face and it suddenly lit up, glowing Behold A new will, new hope and a new name

Selected by His Favour, Acquitted and discharged Lifted by Love

Saved by Grace Secured by His Mercy.

A voice calls. I foreknew, chose and called you Sanctified, justified and predestined you Blessed, anointed and filled you

For a concealed and a specific plan

It is up to you to search it out and finish its course. My great rest awaits you.

MOVING ON

In God lies your tomorrow

Show me the woman, who has no dwelling and whose child lacked comfort

And I’ll show you one with no covering

Show me the city whose gates are broken, whose land is dry and barren

And I will reveal one who has no future

Show me a nation whose god is The God of Israel Who live in trusts and obedience to His commands

And I will show you a safe city, a fruitful land and a fortified city

Therein lies everlasting fulfillment

THE LORD RESTORES

Joel 2:18 &19 – 27 (NIV)

"18 Then the Lord was jealous for his land, and took pity on his people.

19 The Lord replied[a] to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,

Enough to satisfy you fully; Never again will I make you an ob-ject of scorn to the nations.

25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— The great locust and the young locust,

The other locusts and the locust swarm[b]—My great army that I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,

Who has worked wonders for you; Never again will my people be shamed.

27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, That I am the Lord your God,

And that there is no other; Never again will my people be shamed."

1 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Unless it’s your words, always quotations.

INTRODUCTION

Nobody was born knowing himself. You discover yourself as you grow, mature and search. The discovery of knowing who you really are (inner man) is a conscious effort you make with yourself, with the intention and purpose of understanding you.

Whether you realise it or not, your character is being formed and solidified with each passing day. This is true whether you plan through what you want to be or if you just let life happen. Some of the most powerful influences on the development of your character come from the following sources:

1. What you read

2. What you look at 3. What you listen to

4. The people you associate with 5. What you think about

6. Ultimately what you spend your time on

I have come a mighty long way and I am willing to open some dusty pages of my life for others in which to learn. God has healed me completely. He has settled me and lifted me. All my pain was long gone and all things new, 2 Corinthians 5:17. So, I have nothing for which to worry.

In this book, you will read some of my personal experiences that pushed me to seek God’s will over my life. I’m not going to sit here and tell you how it all went well for me. No! Life went sour too. I mean, very sour, but the music changed at some point. I ran into crossroads almost at every junction of my life’s turn. I experience pain, rejection, neglect, abuse and all sorts. Yes, I saw all that, on a big scale.

This book will help someone heal, discover and (or) rediscover their passion to better understand their personality. You will also see some helpful steps and actions with which to keep a steady mind-set during your life experiences. I sincerely pray for you to succeed in the

Discovery or rediscovery of your hidden self.

At this juncture, I would like you to take a pen and open a blank page on your journal. I said pen and not pencil, please. Note down your candid answers and explanations to the following questions. This is because once it’s written, you would not be able to erase it without it being noticed. The worst thing you can do is to live in denial or lie to yourself. So, try not to attempt it as we go on this rediscovery quest.

Noting down your plans and way forward will help your quest of unravelling the real you. It also helps in reminding you to maximize your strongest potentials. Are you ready? If your answer is yes, let’s get

into it:

1. What’s your name?

2. Who are you behind your name?

3. Do you understand your background/history? 4. What are your character traits and values?

5. Any hurting experiences? 6. Any fears?

7. How does your experience affect you?

8. Who are you amongst your friends and strangers? 9. Do you know your passion?

10. What are you capable of? 11. What are your aspirations?

12. How far have you gone in fulfilling it or them?

If you’ve clearly noted down your answers and explanations to all these questions, please separate what you like from the ones you don’t like. Then, take your time to critically define and analyse them and stay true to them. Later, we will touch on how to find, harvest and embrace your passion and assist you on how to deal with your dislikes.

It is vital to know who you really are, so that your personal journey to recover or discover your hidden potentials will be made easier. Why? This because, if you don’t know who you are looking for, finding that per-son would be almost impossible. So, your first assignment on this journey would be to identify yourselves, essentially (i.e. know who you are).

As a young girl, I identified my hidden passion through the help of my mentor. I wasn’t very privileged to have many of them. So, it was an honour to have one. I was very grateful for it. I nurtured it and cherished every time spent.

To establish a good and lasting relationship, there must be trust, understanding and full confidence in your friend/mentor. Personally, I hold unto valuable relationships. Don’t leave respect out of it, for it must be mutual.

A good relationship is a gift which should not be taken for granted.

My aunty, of blessed memory, was part a vibrant Pentecostal Church she loved so much. Each time she attended their church func-tions, she would come home with lots of nibbles, good stories and wonderful testimonies about their church. She would say things like: my senior pastor lives in America and speaks clean Oyibo English. After church, we have tea and biscuits and sweets and chocolates all from abroad." She knew I loved tea. Tea was like water to me. I ate my breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea. Even at snack time, I would drink a cup of hot chocolate under hot, baking, Nigerian temperature. I also loved sweets and chocolate let alone ones from overseas. The offer was too good, so I didn’t need much persuasion.

One day, she invited me to come with her so I can bless them with a song. I loved singing and already was a member of the Methodist Church English Choir. I accepted to go with her to her church.

When we got to the church, it was a new environment for me. Totally different from what a normal church would be. They random-ly did things. They shouted and sang so loud. Members were full of joy and would dance with so much smiles and glow on their faces. It seemed like none of them had any issues to deal with, really. I could not believe my eyes.

It wasn’t long until I was invited up the stage to give a song rendi-tion and I delivered it well. When I finished singing, the whole church

clapped and cheered me up. Hmmm, good encouragement that was. I thought to myself, That was very encouraging. This is a good place to be, where my gift will be cherished, celebrated and of course grow.

After the