Grounded in Love.

Am I dreaming?" Zera retorted, while being served high-class cuisine by a round-faced, statuesque hostess in the exquisite first-class cabin of a brand-new Boeing 747. She was the only passenger onboard, receiving pristine care. Suddenly, her inner conversation was drowned out by the baritone voice of the pilot: "Alas, we are still carrying out some checks... we will have to wait until this is over."

Checks? This is taking too long! When will I be cleared for takeoff?" Then she heard a voice, like the sound of many waters, whisper to her, "I am disengaging you from your enemies... you are the cause of the delay; in fact, your mouth has been the cause of the delay."

Zera woke up with mixed emotions. "So, it was a dream," she wondered. However, she sensed within herself that it was a divine light to her inner conversations with God earlier in the week. She called me early that morning to share her encounter with me. Unknown to me, her story would be the recipe for my next blog post. Although I had been emotionally grounded, grieving over the passing of a beloved, I couldn't help but pen down the rivers of living water flowing from my healing heart.

Zera (not the real name of the character) is a "seed" or offspring. In Hebrew and Arabic, "zera" (זרע) means "seed," and by extension, offspring or descendants. I chose the name Zera because, biblically, everyone born of God is a seed of the highest quality.

 Jeremiah 2:21- N KJV. 

Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?

We cannot truly understand God apart from His Word, which is revealed to us by His Spirit, rather than through impressions, feelings, or sentiment. 

Zera is a devoted believer who has chosen to dwell in God's presence, living in His mouth,  much like a noble vine, with a strong sense of purpose and passion. She willingly surrenders her earthly rights and privileges to embark on the charter flight of Purpose, destined for God's Gloryland.

She is a citizen of heaven, living on earth, having received the gift of salvation and .... supernatural. Note that this charter flight is not about showcasing status; the task at hand far surpasses any earthly prestige. The Owner and Pilot of this journey is the Almighty God, whose greatness is exceedingly unsearchable. This flight is not about luxury travel, but about uninterrupted, purpose-driven, Godly ministry and missions to a dying world.

Needless to say, humanly speaking, the charter flight of purpose seems like an impossible journey (akin to walking on water or flying in the air), but with God as the Pilot, all things are possible for those who believe.

As believers, we're all called to secure our charter flight ticket and live with awareness of our heavenly citizenship on earth. After all, God's abundant resources are more than enough for each of His children.

Philippians 1:27- NIV 

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ..

Sadly, though many are called, very few are living out the privileges of true heavenly citizenship on earth. Instead, the vast majority are settling for an 'economy class' existence, defined by mere survivalism. This survival mentality represents a degeneration from our noble identity as children of God.

Such individuals have become disenchanted with the life-giving Spirit, leading to spiritual dullness and indifference. They are self-serving, trying to dictate God's timetable, and cling to their earthly rights and privileges. As a result, they struggle with surrendering control to God, the Pilot. Unlike first-class passengers, they settle for general provisions, akin to economy-class meals on a commercial flight. Their unwillingness to endure trials stems from a lack of intimate knowledge and concern for God, the Pilot. They only possess superficial knowledge about Him. Consequently, they continually sabotage their capacity to fulfill God's grand visions for their lives. They live narrow, self-focused lives, prioritizing personal needs over kingdom needs, and fail to contribute meaningfully to heaven's ledger.

'Charter Flight Christians' are master negotiators, leveraging their faith and wisdom to create wealth and prosperity for many, without necessarily being billionaires themselves.

They have secured their ticket to board the exclusive flight of purpose by surrendering their earthly rights and privileges. As a result, they have the unique privilege of being guided by God, the Pilot. With an insatiable hunger to know God, they appropriate divine rights and privileges, making bold requests of heaven's management, driven not by ambition, but by divine vision. No wonder heaven recognizes and respects their voice! They also understand that, through Christ, they can triumph over all circumstances, and even when faced with challenges, they cannot be crushed by pain (thank you, Paul and Silas, for your exemplary faith in prison).

These individuals belong to a tribe that thankfully recognizes their greatness comes not from themselves, but from God. With joyful abandon, they serve, initiate, and support kingdom advancement projects with a sense of urgency, unconcerned with who receives the credit. Their passion and purpose are fueled by the life-giving Spirit, driven by a deep desire to give God all the glory, and motivated by the awareness that the end is near.

Each passing day brings you closer to eternity, for time stands still and eternity begins for every soul covered by the precious blood of Christ.

Only those who grasp that Christ is the preeminence of all things can endure the diverse trials and temptations that come their way. Since everything with a beginning has an end, they fix their eyes on the eternal.

My personal understanding of ; 

Endure= End +( S)ure.

"End is Sure" for those who are humbly determined to appropriate Grace and go through. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

According to James 1:12, those who endure temptations are approved by God and receive the crown of life, as promised by the Lord. As a result, they are blessed with good and perfect gifts from above, coming from the Father of lights.

Indeed, we must learn to view trials as blessings, despite the pressure. For we are being cooked, like a delicacy, until we are fully prepared to be served as God's delightful dish – nourishing and healthy for the growth of His Church. God, the Master Chef, knows precisely when we are ready to be served and shared with others.

To those wondering, 'How long will I remain stuck at this level?' or 'How long must I wait, considering time is fleeting?' You're gifted, capable, and eager, yet feeling restricted. Will you ever see the fulfillment of your dreams? Take heart, focus on God, He needs you in flight more than you ever want it but the checks must be completed. 

Jesus Christ humbled Himself, laying aside His heavenly glory and reputation. He took on human form, grounded in love, and obeyed the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him, bestowing upon Him a name that surpasses every other name... (Philippians 2:5-9). 

 "Research shows that planes are grounded for various reasons, including:

1- Maintenance and repairs

2. Adverse weather conditions

3. Safety concerns

4. Mechanical issues

5. Regulatory compliance

6. Government orders and actions

7. Other factors such as fueling issues, air traffic control restrictions, and medical emergencies

Not every flight reaches its intended destination, and similarly, not every spiritual journey aligns with God's plan. Some believers, stuck in 'economy class,' are constantly in motion, busily launching projects, imitating others, and seeking validation through self-exaltation, rather than genuinely seeking God's will.

Zera, felt ready to embark on the end-time harvest. However, the delay in her charter flight's takeoff was wearing her out. Her spiritual oil, once burning bright, was slowly drying up.

At the time of the dream, Zera was informed that she should be soaring to greater heights of spiritual exploits. However, a check revealed that her mouth was 'counterproductive,' hindering her progress and grounding her ascent.

Zera was heavily laden with excess emotional baggage, harboring unwanted thoughts and emotions. Internal enemies like bitterness, selfish desires, and self-sabotaging habits had taken residence in her heart and mind. External forces also weighed her down. Unaware of the toll it was taking, she was draining the oil of gladness, losing her peace, and leaking the joy that once filled her.

Instead of tuning in to the Pilot's voice with focused attention and connecting with like-minded believers, Zera found herself growing frustrated with the delay. She was trading her anointing for annoyance, chatting with survivalists who were more concerned with social media likes than spiritual growth. These 'economy class Christians' were headed for Tarshish, not truly seeking God's will.

 

Why become upset? you might ask, her thinking is the issue, and the root cause is this question; She was losing appetite for the Pilot's details, they were sounding more like babblings ...than life. 

Does Zera really still have faith in the pilot who isn't just a pilot, but a father, intimate friend..? Hmm... familiarity with the pilot truly can bring contempt to her own harm. Zera though Godly has human weaknesses and needs fresh oil- fresh anointing to cry out; "Lord, please increase my faith ..".

Frankly, having an implicit faith in God's leadership is a given on a charter flight of purpose. We need that rest in faith, that brings us to the place where we are steadfast and immovable; grounded in love but not grinded by pain. How it should thrill us! 

Jesus is the Word and if you have the Word, you have faith! 

Zera can't afford to be deluded that she was grounded for nothing. The cost of being grounded comes at the expense of the carrier's management. Ask any airline carrier: having planes unduly grounded is not profitable for business. 

In her best interest, she must not get too familiar with the Pilot, knowing that He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. She needs to refuel her word tank and refocus on assimilating the plans and purpose for the journey and, ultimately, the destination ahead.

Remember, whatever the bird eats, it flies with.

Like Zera, sometimes you are grounded so you can be disengaged from your enemies (internal and external) that, if not unveiled, could take off with you. You are too heavy! In fact, allowing worries, riches, and pleasures to choke the word of God is as bad as having a leaking fuel tank. This is disastrous and will abruptly end your destiny.

Wake up... it's your destiny at risk here! Let God, the Holy Spirit, pilot you and complete the checks, so you can be constructively engaged during the journey, receiving updates. Every journey is as important as the destination, unique and peculiar. It pays not to compare yourself with another fellow. 

That way, you arrive at your destination prepared to face the giant work ahead. He teaches you to tame your tongue. 

Sometimes it's not just about speaking carelessly to others out of bitterness and jealousy; it could be speaking carelessly to yourself. Self-criticism, constant complaining, unnecessary talk, negative thoughts, forgetting God's testimonies, and speaking unabashedly about negative situations are also self-destructive.

It feels peppery when you lack understanding of why you needed to be grounded in the first place and even with understanding you still need the grace not to be envious of others who you can't find your pain in.

Of course, sometimes you feel lonely, especially in this fast-paced world. You must understand the place of isolation, knowing that every seasoned engineer keeps traffic off a runway under construction.

More often than not, isolation isn't always negative; it could be a pathway to avoid desolation when a person decides to utilize such times to rub minds with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Him. Feeling grounded? Wipe away your tears, 😭 you are being protected!

Apart from the factor of divine timing, deep reflections and prayers can reveal that we are often the crux of the delay due to our unreasonable attachment to people and things. We impatiently think about appointments and have unfounded, overzealous expectations, disregarding the importance of contentment and godliness. Forgetting that it's only the living who make appointments, and moreover, only the spiritually alive can make divine appointments. 

Feelings of being grounded come at times when one's expectations crash like a pack of cards. It's sobering to even think about God's expectations in the first place. Or, when you are denied self-indulgences, you feel restricted, yet you know deep inside that it's the right thing to do.

Like a child denied sweet things... we suck it up, thinking we can cajole God into our pity party. We must understand that the devil actually loses power over you every time you submit to such denials. Every day is not Christmas... God knows how to give treats as and when due. 😃 Selah

My Story. 

During my days on campus, I loved (and still do) reading, research, and traveling a lot. So, it was just natural that my peak desire was to work with the United Nations. As the best graduating student, I had a supersonic conviction that my goal was achievable.

Subsequently, I earned my Master's degree in Sociology and had aspirations to pursue a Ph.D. In the meantime, I gained valuable experience in banking, soft skills training, radio, and television, along with various relevant certifications and training. These experiences connected me with some officers at UNIC (United Nations Information Center), which became my favorite hub.

But I didn't understand my sudden uneasiness within. I tried speaking with my husband, who advised me to pray, just to be sure God was in this. Could God not be in this, since I had gone this far? My bubble burst when I encountered a scripture during my quiet time. This scripture came alive.

 Psalm 32: 8-9

" I will instruct you ( says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch your progress. 9- Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line '.

 

The first time the Lord spoke to me through this scripture was to instruct me to break free 💔 from an unholy relationship during my university days... Rebellion is indeed dangerous! ... That's a story for another day 😃.

God, gave me an opportunity to rebel, testing my love for Him. The amazingness of being authentic and grounded in God's love endows one with the sweet intelligibility that arises from the nature and attributes of God.

The Father doesn't give the next instruction until the last one has been fully obeyed.

So when the Lord personally instructed me to start a blog in December 2022, I was quick to respond with, 'I don't fancy that idea, Lord. I love my life private! Why make myself vulnerable sharing my personal struggles and wins?

I love my life private! The echo reverberated with a small voice penetrating my heart: 'Whose life? Yours or Mine?'

I was still struggling to accept His call to start my ministry, which was the next instruction two years after the UN exploit. 

Lord, are we back to this? Remembering how I had prayed during my university days not to have anything to do with preaching not even to marry a pastor! (Thank you, Jesus, for not answering that prayer 🙏). 

Moreover, my phone is faulty... it's just not convenient. I need a notebook.... A catalog of excuses. Doh! 😔 I got no response, of course, it was clear to me that my response wasn't wise

Like Zerah, I wasn't thinking about God's purpose and expectations. I was busy soliloquizing and speaking of what I thought would make my life fulfilling. I was so full of foolishness. Haa... I bless God for His unfailing love and mercies that chastened me and didn't answer those self-centered desires of mine. When my back was against the wall, I ignored my fears and mustered faith to start. For I posted a minimum of twenty posts with that old-school, rickety phone... it was a year later that God provided a new one. What if I never started? ...hmm... I return all the glory to God.

When His business becomes your business, your profiting is inevitable. Gaskiya! (Hausa language, meaning 'truth'). Be calm, even if you are grounded; please don't let your mouth grind you! Many have truncated their flight of purpose and joined the bandwagon of a purposeless economy class, en route to Tarshish ✈️, a journey that's ultimately a big waste of time. 

Active obedience to God is a fruit of love, and perfect love casts out fear. You learn it starting with little things, hearing and obeying God in small matters but it's often difficult to start learning in troubled times. As you grow your roots of love, and as grace affords you, you will be saved from staying longer than necessary in a grounded state

Trusting His character and nature - the personality and name of Jesus - we are more empowered to hear and act promptly.

And when we board the flight of obedience, we're carried by the ultimate charter airline: Love 747 - the biggest and most reliable carrier of all, just like the Boeing 747 plane that inspired its name.

Our self-desires have to die daily on the cross to travel light. You either die daily or you wield a sword daily. (Anytime you turn the cross upside down, it becomes a sword, and as such, rebellion and aggression become the order of the day in such a soul.

Those who choose to carry their cross daily, traveling the narrow way of active faith, have no timetable set for God. They pay the price of submission and go the extra mile. The way is rewarding, though not easy. 

Being grounded doesn't mean you are not advancing. Great things happen even when we are stuck. Consider Paul and Silas in prison.

You are trained to fight first on ground before in air.

You are trained to fight first on the ground before taking to the air. So, be strategic and keep your focus on the Pilot. Gain divine intelligence in such a manner that you can spot enemy planes - satanic implantations in your space, community - and fire them down, dislodging them in prayer. Be kingdom-focused; this way, you create more room for heaven to bless you.

Many satanic impulses and implantations have taken place, invading our communities. Heaven is counting on you and me to grow roots, stay secure, and enforce God's will in our families, households, communities, and the world at large.

Don't lose your focus on God, for He has a glorious destination for you 💕🌹

Your greatness is in God, not in you. God is lovingly looking at you, so stop looking at others.🥰🥳😍🤩

"...So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18-  be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; .." 

Ephesians 3: 17-18. Amplified. 

In His love, 

Segilola" ❣️

Segilola Awolesi (Olive Global Ministries)

March 2025

Oliveglobalministries@gmail.com