I’m truly blessed to have an amazing twin sister who has been my defender, friend, and confidant. I was so excited to have her share her story with you guys. You can find her amazing blog HERE or follow her on Twitter.
For those of you who don’t know, I’m The Mean Twin. If you’ve met Bianca in real life, you know she’s nice, kind, and sweet. So sweet, in fact, I heard she once gave Mother Teresa a toothache. Honest. Hand to heaven. Growing up next to someone like that could give anyone a complex…it’s a good thing I have better hair or else I’d have a few things to take up with God. In light of this, I’ll let her tackle the spiritual issues and holiness because, well, she’s holier than me.
What I can talk about in complete assurance is the difference between God’s Perfect Will and Permissive Will. This blog post could be close to a million words, but suffice to know I’m hard headed. Like, if you pit me against a burro, I’d win. Because God is all-knowing, when I studied and fought to get into law school, He granted me admission to some of the top schools in the nation. In spite of my own doubts of whether it was God’s plan for my life, I pushed forward.
During my first year of law school, I realized I made a mistake.
The story gets long and complicated, but I left school when my mom had a relapse with cancer. I was positively depressed and at the darkest point of my life. It was then when I realized God was permitting me to have my way…but it wasn’t His perfect will for my life. It was then when I let go. Once I begged the Lord for his Perfect Will, my life took an entirely new direction.
I’m now incredibly honored to say I’m a photographer. Like a real, legit photographer. Yeah, I know you’re like That Has Nothing to Do With Becoming a Lawyer. I know. Doesn’t God have a sense of humor?! I thought I wanted to become a lawyer, but the minute I let go, God gave me more than I could ever want or ask for in regard to professional fulfillment.
If you’re battling with trusting God for His perfect will in your life, Let Go. Seriously. God loves you so much you’ll always get your way…but chances are you won’t be happy. Just trust the Lord knows what’s best for you, even if that means not having a clearly defined path.
so true. this is just SO scary true. great word!
Great post! This is something I am constantly having to do… let go and let God do His work.
So true, preach it Jasmine!:)
Great thoughts, Jasmine. And your pictures are absolutely beautiful. (I scoped your site a month or so ago.)
Word for this season.
I'm totally sitting in my school's law library reading this. I'm pretty convinced that I might not practice as a a legit lawyer when I'm done with this either, but I did know that it was the right step for me, right now. I'm glad to see that you were directed to something you love and are so obviously meant to do, because it gives me hope while surrounded by piles of cases and statutes.
Back to the grind.
You two look very sweet on the photo, nice… 😉
M. 🙂
Jasmine, I heard you share your story on CreativeLIVE, and in my own way, I can totally relate. I have a bachelors degree in Nursing and all signs were pointing towards me working as a nurse. When I would think about graduating and trying for a nursing job, I would be consumed with anxiety, an unsettled heart, and frustration about 'why wasn't I excited to work as one when everyone else I graduated with was?' After much prayer and turning it over to God, I am now a photographer. Granted, my success has not blossomed to your caliber, but for being in business for myself for one year, and have NO idea what I was doing when I started – I am beyond thankful that God led me here. I am so excited to see what the next year holds, and I'm sure in another year, I'll have even more gratitude for Him. Thanks for being real, and sharing it with us. I also love to see the clear respect and love that you and Bianca share. That's what sisters are supposed to have. xoxo – Laura
This is so true in so many ways! I lost my job and got diagnosed with a disease in less than 24 hours. I pretty much hit rock-bottom at that point in my life. But, God has some really great plans for me once I let go and tried controlling my life. Now, I get to photograph people of all kinds and do all the things I dreamt of but never knew could happen. I always tell people, without Him, I would have never been able to pursue a fabulous and unknown dream. I think I am still learning the concept of "letting go" though. Love love love this post! Thank you for sharing. xoxo – Shefali
Oh you two are so cute in your matching outfits!! 🙂 This post is so true! I love how God really will give us what we want, but we will never be fulfilled unless it is His will. Have a blessed day!!!
What a lovely post! 🙂
I was pushing through school to be a mechanical engineer so that I could apply to NASA to be an astronaut when I graduated. No lie. I really wanted to go into space! I even went to Space Camp in 9th grade over spring break. For real. And it's ok to be jealous b/c it was AWESOME 🙂 Anyway, God and I argued about my major (not out loud… at least not all of the time) and when he brought me to my face after 4 years in mechanical engineering, I realized there was no point in fighting with Him who had my best interest in mind. I ended up getting my degree in French (just a slight change…), going to Belgium to teach English for a semester and have been working in ministry ever since. Oh and I started an "on the side" photography business a couple of years ago that God has blessed more than I ever imagined. It's still an "on the side" thing but I'm excited to see where He takes it. Just goes to show it's worth it to listen to Him from the beginning instead of fighting against an almighty God that's always going to win 🙂
J*, I LOVE hearing about your spiritual walk! It makes me love your photography even more! 🙂
Thanks for this post, it's just what I need right now. I'm going to be pondering this for a while…
i love that both your lives express in bold that you totally love Jesus….thanks for the post…
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Love you J and B………………………………Mom
Bianca thanks for tweeting this blog. I follow Jasmine for photography and amusement, I follow YOU for the spirituality and to hear God’s voice!
I am HUGE about faith and like Jasmine said, when you finally submit and place true faith in Him, that’s when it really comes together.
Life is funny but Gods plan is real, if we stop to look and listen….faith is love and our Father wants the best for us.
For me it happened when years ago I had so many issue dating men. As a single mom my son was priority as was God, but I kept making wrong choices.
Finally gave my heart, my REAL faith and asked God to reveal my plan. Marriage or church life…a few months later…God revealed Wayne to me. A perfect child of God and my destined husband.
We married in 2007 and we’ve been photographing weddings ever since.
Thank you for sharing! I’m just one of the many testimonies on faith I’m sure.
That was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much for sharing.
WOW!!!! Awesome and Right on! Thanks Jasmine
I usually read Bianca's blog when she posts the link on Facebook…not this time, I read it today and boy did it strike a cord! Thank you for guest posting…it was a gentle reminder that I needed 🙂
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