“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to live without.” -William Sloane Jr.

One could imagine how boring the world or life as we know it would be if everyone were the same. That is why its so vital to always stay true to who you are because there is no one like you. I wanted to give myself the opportunity that residing in a small town couldn’t. I wanted to grow. Living in a small city is great but it can also put limits on your outlook about you and outlooks about the world. You’ve set in your mind that everyone and everything is one way when in reality there’s a whole world you can’t even imagine.

Being in a larger city I see some of everything; there are people of different ethnicities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and race, which is exactly what I hoped for moving here. Such a drastic change from little old Jasper. I’m aware, just as well as others (especially in small towns) individuals use religion to shame/hate a group of people that they don’t particularly care for or agree with. However, if your religion causes you to hate anyone, get a new religion. I’ll use my mine for example, according  to what I believe I’m supposed to love like Jesus loves; which means loving everyone no matter of the color, religious beliefs and or sexual orientation because like Jesus, we love the sinner but hate the sin.

I have met so many college students who have helped me along the way and not one have come from a similar background than me and that’s the beauty of it; we learn so much from one another. If we can understand our differences with one another we can respect each other a little more in this walk of life.  We are all made wonderfully, and each have different gifts and purposes; respect is always key…. Always remember the world needed a “you”

xoxo, Jayla

How well do you know yourself? This week I came across a quote that said, “I am who He says I am.” I read it and understood it as it was, never really thinking too much into it. This Sunday, as I was sitting in church and the Pastor said something that made me rethink that quote; he said, “God, show me the me You know.” I had to pause and contemplate. See, I believed who I thought I was, was who God knew me to be.

Take this as an example: My name is Jayla, I’m twenty-one years old, 4’11, a student at the University of Central Florida… Do I think I’m the prettiest, no. Do I think I’m the smartest, no. Hair always a mess, I’m even a little overweight for my height (so they say, lol). I’m far from perfect, I make mistakes and fail Him daily.  I thought my choices defined me, I thought my physical appearance defined me, but they don’t. This is not the me that God knows. I had to do some soul searching before I could even begin to understand who God said I was.

There are people who go their whole lives not knowing their true self…The enemy will try to keep you away from the truth because when you know the truth (Jesus) you gain power over him and your situations. He doesn’t want you to know that you have a purpose and that God has intentions for your life.  Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”  There is a you, that never worries, there’s a you that never engaged with things of this world, there’s a you that never did all the things you are ashamed of and God knows that “you”.

Lauren Daigle said it best in her song titled, “You Say”

“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, You say I am Yours”

Think about it, God created us, He knows everything about us, yet: He still loves us, forgives us, shows us grace and mercy day in and day out. Obviously, He sees something in us that we don’t even perceive. I learned that I am not who I say I am, I’m not who my teachers say I am, I’m not who my parents or friends say I am, I’m definitely not who my enemies say I am, but I am who God says I am. I believe that when we know our true selves, we can be more confident in walking in our purpose and not worrying what others think. I leave you with this question: Who are you?

xoxo, Jayla