CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP

To Whom It May Concern,

DON'T STOP.

I don't care if you're a entrepreneur, a photographer, an artist, an actor, a writer, or a SoundCloud rapper,

DON'T STOP.

Whether you get two likes or 200,000

DON'T STOP.

Whether your friends, teachers, or parents support your vision or not,

DON'T STOP.

When it seems like you take one step forward in your purpose to only take two steps back,

DON'T STOP.

Discouragement often comes from the person who says you suck at your craft, that's easy. Unfortunately, the most poisonous discouragement comes in the form of thoughts from your own mind. I'll never get to where so-and-so is. No one even likes my vision. I can't invest in this because I'm so busy with real life. I can't do it, I'll be considered a hypocrite. I can't do it, I'm not ready. Okay, I've been committed to this, and I don't even get any recognition.

You may not have to current following on social media, the views, the readers, the recognition, or the rewards that you deserve, but that can't stop you from continuing what you were gifted to do.

DON'T STOP.

Colossians 3:23-24 reads, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ."

Think about serving Christ more than you think about not being acknowledged for doing what He called you to do. Keep working, creating, and practicing as an act of service for God's people. Make it a goal to work with a humble heart. (An inheritance from God is worth far more than recognition from the world.)

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Whether I choose to acknowledge it or not, one of the byproducts of my writing is encouragement. Now, when I think of the gift of encouragement, I think of motivational speakers, evangelists, poets, and musical artists. You know, the kind of people who hold their audience captive with a line, a revelation, or lyric so moving that the whole place is shouting and doing tumbling passes down the aisles. The kind of people who have the 100K followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, that when they say "Good morning", it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Funny thing is, I don't have any of those things that I listed above. I don't even know how many people actually read what I write. Whether it's one, 11, 111, or 1,000, I write because someone needs it. I don't know who is reading this today, but I wrote this for you. And I want to end this letter by reminding you of who you are. (Oooh, there goes that Spirit of encouragement.)

You are a child of God. You have a purpose. God recognizes you, even when others don't. Anything is possible when you make God your focus, and when God is your focus...

YOU CAN'T STOP AND YOU WON'T STOP.

Peace +GLOW Always,

#lifestyle #encouragement #persistence #letter