The Tribune

By AYANNA CLARKE

"Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow. You're only a day away!"

Never thought this song would have such a personal meaning for me, but my concert is actually tomorrow.

Reaching a goal not only means an end but also a beginning. A goal accomplished means you are ready to begin another destiny step; you are ready to move further into the purpose God has planned from the foundation of the earth. This can be a very harrowing, or daunting consideration.

My watch word for this is the reminder from Psalm 56:3: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

In our discussion about three P's - passion, purpose and people - I've realised that very few of us knew right away who we were, where we were going to end up and who would be with us when we got there. Some of you may have, but I must be completely transparent, I didn't!

In fact, if the truth were told, I spent the greater part of my life hiding abilities, creativity and passion for fear of being rejected. Somewhere deep down inside though, I never gave up hope that my passions were leading me to a greater purpose and toward people who would celebrate my arrival. So I kept striving, writing, singing, sometimes when those around me didn't want to hear it.

Galatians 6:9 urges us to not be weary in well-doing for in due season, in the fullness of time, you will reap if you don't give up.

So many obstacles can work against aligning the three parts of this principle.

Sometimes you are confused about your purpose in the midst of the best kind of people; or you've lost passion not understanding your true purpose. Or maybe, you're burning with passion to fulfil your purpose and surrounded by the most negative people.

The only thing that will fight this type of discouragement is faith that you're still on a journey toward fulfilment; that the best is yet to come for you.

If I could rename my concert I would call it Faith Fulfilled. After all it was by faith that I didn't give up and my faith will see me into a wonderful future.

Of course, there will be other voice notes in the "Ayanna Here" WhatsApp series, as well as other Tribune articles, but I am so grateful for this great opportunity that I must end today's article with my heartfelt thanks.

Thanks of course to God who has been everything I ever needed always. It is in Him that I live and move and have my very being. He provided the passion and the purpose that I try to live out intentionally.

Thanks of course to my people. You know, the ones who are out there celebrating and lifting up instead of tolerating and pulling down. I celebrate you and people like you, those of you who enjoy watching others succeed and sincerely wish them well. You are my kind of people!

The culmination of any project is always exciting and nail-biting at the same time. But the satisfaction of living out another step into purpose is priceless. It means that you are ready to begin again, on another level. It means that new tasks to complete and new milestones are just beyond the horizon.

An end and a beginning!

If the 'Journey to Incredible' series has done anything, I hope it has sparked your passion to find out what excites you. I hope finding that passion leads you to your purpose, to live the life that was planned for you from the very beginning of time. And, of course, I hope you find the right people; those who will celebrate each destiny step with you.

See you tomorrow night!

• Ayanna's 'So Incredible' album release concert will take place Friday, 7.30pm, at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries. Call 361-3347.