Too Blessed To Make A Mess: The Mindset for Pursuing Your Destiny Without Regrets

By WAYNE MAYNARD

From the moment the author coined this book title on the final day of the year during a church service, it captured the imagination of all who heard it. However, "Too Blessed To Make A Mess" is much more than a catchphrase. It is a mindset that, if embraced, will catapult readers to fulfill the purpose for which they exist.

 

This book takes the reader on a journey intertwined with the life lessons of the author growing up on a Caribbean island, moving to a big city, and then ultimately going back to his homeland. The journey has its share of successes, failures, twists, and turns common to our human existence. But these experiences have been shared to demonstrate the value of viewing life from a healthy perspective, thus providing the passion, tools, and skills to overcome obstacles and fulfill the destinies we were uniquely created to achieve and enjoy.

 

The author introduces the reader to the value of this passion-generating mindset that fuels purposeful decision-making and obstacle-busting faith. He provides practical counsel for avoiding pitfalls that can sabotage our desired goals. He helps the reader to embrace with gratitude the positive and negative experiences of life, all essential for finding peace and fulfillment along the path to destiny.

 

The beauty of this book's message is that no matter what stage of life you find yourself in, you can make life-altering changes that can place you on a better path, one headed to accomplishing goals and dreams you may have thought were impossible.

 

This book is written to inspire, motivate, and challenge the reader to fulfill the potential that you were designed to accomplish. In doing so, life's journey is transformed from routine and mundane activities to an exciting and fulfilling march to a purpose-filled destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strive for the Prize Books
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9789769708211

WAYNE MAYNARD

Wayne Maynard was born and raised on the island of Nevis in the West Indies. He pursued a college education in the USA. While engaged in a software engineering career, God called him into full-time ministry. He surrendered to that call and now pastors the Shiloh Baptist Church on his native island, where he serves with his wife, Shennetter, and two children, Mikaela and Micah.

Book preview

PART I

THE SOVEREIGN’S DESIGN

The journey of life is like a jigsaw puzzle. At the onset, there is a plan which is our destiny, the purpose for which we were created. This plan is beautiful, and the end product is gratifying when the purpose is fulfilled.

1

THE BIG PICTURE

Several years ago, our family decided that for family night, we would work together on a reasonably complex jigsaw puzzle: a picture of a majestic eagle soaring high above a mountain range. If you have worked on these puzzles, you would know it requires much patience to look painstakingly at several pieces and find the right one. My usual approach in commencing is to locate the easily identifiable portions of the picture to make quick progress. As we worked on the puzzle, I noticed that everyone worked on the easy parts and somehow conveniently left the sky portion for me to do. (It takes some extra determination and dedication to tackle those challenging sections of the puzzle because the pieces are similar for a large portion of the picture.) One family night was hopelessly inadequate to complete the puzzle. It took a period of several weeks before we were finally done. To witness the final product was highly gratifying, such that since then, we have kept it intact on the table where we put it together. This puzzle has survived multiple moves across parish, county, state, and international borders. And I suspect it will remain intact after all that because of the effort required to put it together.

The journey of life is like a jigsaw puzzle. At the onset, there is a plan which is our destiny, the purpose for which we were created. This plan is beautiful, and the end product is gratifying when the purpose is fulfilled. However, unlike a jigsaw puzzle, we do not have the benefit of looking at the final picture when we begin. Each step in life is like a piece of the puzzle. Each piece has a purpose. Sometimes, we can’t figure out how or where the pieces fit. But as we follow God’s direction by taking steps of faith in obedience to His will, the plan becomes clear.

God wants every one of us to fulfill our destiny. He desires that we make the right choices to complete the beautiful product according to His ordained plan. Failure to do this may cause us to miss His perfect plan. We must believe that the pieces dealt to us fit in with the final picture. No matter who you are, God has a plan for your life. And He can take unconventional circumstances, challenging situations, and painful experiences and work them together to accomplish something beautiful.

2

AN EVEN BIGGER PICTURE

Art galleries are some of the world’s most visited and revered centers. On display could be found notable works of human creativity and expression. These galleries house items of great value, and the importance and lure surrounding them only increase with time. However, it is noteworthy that the art, the created thing, does not receive adoration and praise separate from the artist who created it. The items in the museum are known and referenced more frequently in association with the reputable artists who created them rather than by the names of the creative works themselves. In a Forbes article entitled, Ranking the World's Most Admired Art Museums, and What Big Business Can Learn from Them, the names of artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gough, Rembrandt, Picasso, Michelangelo, and others are continually mentioned as being the masterminds behind renowned works held in famous museums like The Louvre in France and the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands. Occasionally, an acclaimed piece is referenced, like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. ¹ The simple realization is that the creation does not exist apart from the creator. And the awe from the creation warrants that glory and praise be given to the creator. As thousands of admirers stare in wonder at these works of art, it strikes me that this effect of amazement is precisely what the artists intended as they diligently labored over every artistic decision. The end product could not be average. It could not be ordinary. The artist recognizes that the creative work reflects the one who created it. This realization causes the artist to operate with a particular approach and aim:

The Approach

This creation will be the best that I can do. It must utilize the best material and tools available. It must be the result of my best effort.

The Aim

This creation, when observed by all who would witness it, ought to bring honor to me. The viewers ought to be amazed at my handiwork.

At the beginning of time, God, the Artist of all artists, began unveiling creation. It was critical and essential that each stage be assured of God’s smile of approval. Only the best would do. The book of Genesis reveals that as God’s handiwork was being revealed, God saw that it was good. However, something extra special occurred on the sixth day when God made humans. This aspect of creation would be different from what had been created before. In addition to being a reflection of God, this creation would be made to interact with and relate to God. This creation would be humanity. This creation would be you, and I. Genesis 1:26-27 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. After God had created humanity, the jewel of His creation, He said, It was very good." God was more than pleased with His work. But now, the aim of creation was to be accomplished.

God intended that His creation would bring Him honor and glory. These specially created beings would observe his creation and conclude with amazement, What a great God! David echoed such sentiments in Psalm 19:1. Now imagine that David could see the greatness of God by looking at the sky, the sun, the moon, and the stars. And yet, these did not represent the jewel of God’s creation. David understood this, and as such, he penned in Psalm 139:14, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Any worth that can ever be ascribed to us must ultimately bring glory to the Sovereign Creator. We were meant to bring God glory and praise. While that might come across as self-serving, it finds simple merit when one thinks of artists in relation to their work. We are nothing without the one who created us, just as a piece of art is nothing without the artist.

Life can be viewed within the context of our own life. After all, our very breath shows us the personal nature of this real gift. However, we must be able to elevate our perspective of life to a higher level, where we see not only our life but all life and, indeed, all creation. All heaven and earth are the results of the creative power of God. John 1:3 says, All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. So, the big picture of understanding our place and purpose in life must be viewed under the larger umbrella that we were created to bring God glory. This realization should lead us, as God’s created beings, to do just that.

3

THE PRIORITY OF RELATIONSHIP

As computer technology has advanced, scientists continue to explore the limits of what is possible. In December 2021, Engineered Arts, a leading designer and manufacturer of robots in the UK, introduced a robot, Ameca, to the world. Ameca was not just another robot but one with humanlike qualities portrayed in its physical features and movement. The most impressive breakthrough was Ameca’s ability to show emotion and get slightly angry. As groundbreaking as this development is, the designers have tempered expectations by declaring jokingly that there is no fear that the robot will become a villain and overwhelm us. ¹

These efforts reveal that even though parallels can be made between artists and their art, and God and His creation, the comparisons end when we recognize that God, in creating us, did not create inanimate objects. God created beings that could choose between right and wrong. This power of choice leads to the wonderful capacity to have relationships. God decided not to create programmable robots. To do so would eliminate the ability to love and be loved. Imagine an inventor who creates a robot and must program it to execute every instruction. That inventor can never be touched by the thoughtfulness of the programmed creation sending a Christmas gift or be warmed by the spontaneity of a smile or a hug. Our desire to create robots like Ameca suggests that we want to love, choose, and respond to these actions.

Along with the ability to choose right is the ability to choose wrong. The capacity to love can only be had with the capacity to hate. Herein lies the foundation for the presence of good and evil, right and wrong. The existence of these contrasting concepts reveals a fascinating truth. God prioritized a relationship with humanity even though this creation would eventually sin against God and be separated from Him. This priority placed on relationship is similar to a man’s compulsion when he approaches that lady who causes butterflies in his stomach. He is not sure that she will respond positively to his interest. But the intriguing possibility of a relationship with her exceeds the embarrassing prospect of rejection by her such that he musters the courage to make a move.

The benefits of love and interaction that result from a relationship are so powerful that God desires to have a relationship with those who would choose to have one with Him, even though, inevitably, some would reject Him. This incredible desire of God indicates that the existence of love and hatred, peace and war, good and evil, and right and wrong do not diminish the beauty of God’s design. Instead, it underscores the vital importance of relationships as foundational to God’s divine plan.

4

THE BIG DEAL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

As a young boy, I often accompanied my dad to the market in town on Saturday mornings, where he would purchase vegetables and local produce. The market would be abuzz with the sights and smells of nature and the sounds of sellers and buyers attempting to hammer out a sale in their best interest. The vendors hoped to sell every item and return home with a profitable venture, while the buyers tried to make every penny count. Occasionally, one of the strange oddities that would take place would be when a vendor had an item that was in great abundance at the market along with another scarce commodity. To ensure that the plentiful fruits were sold, the vendor would restrict the sale of the scarce item unless the buyer agreed to purchase some of the abundant fruit. Unfortunately, the vendor had now decided to marry the produce during the sale process, to the chagrin of my dad, who not only wanted one item but only had enough money for one. He had no choice but to do without the item or find another vendor who would not demand such a union.

God has placed a priority on relationships within the DNA of human beings. We can be assured of this when we observe that God has chosen to link true happiness to relationships. If we look around and observe human tendencies and behavior, it wouldn’t take long to recognize that we have an innate desire to be happy. As of this writing, I was even more convinced as the song Happy by Pharrell Williams had over one billion views on YouTube! This pursuit is present irrespective of one’s background, nationality, economic status, or educational background. This drive is present in our DNA.