Testament Thursday
Testament is defined as proof or to be a witness. And the month of January we will feature four individuals who are witnesses to the power and providence of God in their lives. We are fortunate and pleased to have Quentin Bethea of Charlotte, NC bearing witness to being sensitive to the "moments" that we are provided in this life. He shares with us how "procrastination" can lead to laziness, missed opportunities and living in regret. We hope that his story encourages and inspires you to seize the “Power of this MOMENT.
As a singer/songwriter, musician I am one that is very sensitive to feelings and atmospheres. Knowing how to appropriate certain sensations allows for you to be able to channel those into a song, or if you are in church you do what is needed to shift that atmosphere. Being sensitive to what’s happening in the moment, in the present, is what I have found to be key in ministry, and also very vital in personal development.
Matthew 6:9-13
"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
“Give us THIS day” highlights the importance of focusing on the now. We know this topic is important to Jesus because this is not the first time that he addresses it. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“
I’ll never forget when this registered in my spirit. I have always been one to defer responsibility until a later time, if it’s something I don’t want to deal with in that moment. This gave way to procrastination to take root in my life, until one day I had to deal with it. One day I woke up and realized that the responsibilities aren’t going anywhere, the job must still be completed, but when I wait I just allow it pile up. This has been true in several instances, school, relationships and career. I learned overtime, that long-term success is a product of many short-term decisions.
If we live in yesterday we may become too overcome with guilt about what I should have done, what I didn’t do, and what I could have done better. If we are intoxicated by the victories of yesterday we begin to build a monuments of our success and becoming prideful and arrogant.
If we put things off until tomorrow we give way to laziness and procrastination.
Whatever you have dreamed about, saw for yourself doing, talked to God about in secret, or have openly aspired to accomplish, there is no better day than TODAY to get started in that direction. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, and start today. There is power in this moment. There is power in seizing your TODAY.
~ Quentin Bethea
on this MOMENT to a friend.
Quentin Bethea is an electrifying vocalist, pianist, and producer who delivers with a sound of passion and soul that cannot be disputed. His warm and sultry yet powerful voice has allowed him to share the stage with many greats in the genres of Jazz, Gospel,and R&B. He continues to thrive musically as he was selected
as a top twenty finalist on the BET Hit Show, SUNDAY BEST.
You can follow Quentin on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialQuentinBethea or Twitter: qbetheamusic