Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain
Elevators, exit ramps and eternity: why would I group these three very different items in one sentence? Because frankly, each require that we know where we’re going. The Lord has grown me in patience and deeper love toward others, which is a blessing and prayer answered over the past year and a half. Praise God! He continues to grow me in an area that challenges my level of patience: when people get into the elevator and forget what floor they’re going to. I am not a coffee drinker and still manage to be alert to what needs to occur in the mornings. Nevertheless, I need to be sympathetic to those who need several hours and a couple cups of coffee to get it together. A rule for riding the elevator: other riders need you to know where you’re going.
There is another area that requires us to know where we are going: a highway exit ramp. Have you ridden with someone who is indecisive on whether to get off at that exit or the next? Or the driver hasn’t paid attention, realizes in two seconds their going to pass their exit and steers suddenly to exit the ramp? It’s unnerving. They could cause an accident. Ain’t nobody got time for that. A rule for approaching exit ramps: know where you are going and signal your intentions in advance to other drivers.
There remains yet another destination we must be certain of where we’re going: eternity. Some people think they have a great deal of time to decide if they believe in heaven or hell, Jesus Christ or Satan, eternal life or if this earth is heaven already. Earth is not our home. It is a temporary location, not your permanent address. Since creating mankind, God Our Heavenly Father has desired an eternal and intimate relationship with you and me. He even sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to show us His love and provide us a way to secure an eternal relationship with God, while we were yet in our sins.
Jesus came so that through him we can access “life to the full.” (John 10:10) Many question who is Jesus, question what has been said about Him and seek other ways to establish their own path to “eternal life.” Yet, Jesus made it clear to us the path in John 14:6-7, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7- If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
It’s decision time folks. Step quickly, signal your intentions and decide your destination. Jesus says, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
-Nicole
About Nicole D. Hayes
Nicole D. Hayes is committed to serve as a vessel of compassion, instruction, love and truth for Jesus Christ. Born and raised in Topeka, Kan., she is a member of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C. Drawn to know Christ in her early childhood and saved at the age of 12, Nicole is a student and applier of God’s Word. She is also a successful public relations professional operating in Washington, D.C., with more than eight years experience of coordinating and delivering strategic communications and media outreach support for nonprofits and small business owners. During her career she has placed several nonprofits and small business owners in national, local and regional media spaces. She operates with a personal and business mantra of “making an investment in people.” Among many things, Nicole is also a motivational speaker. She has been invited to deliver messages to business leaders to not be misguided by the world’s view of success, to direct young people navigating through the world’s challenges, and to remind those who may have lost their way that joyfully, “God Has Not Changed His Mind About You.” Nicole’s purpose in creating “Voices Against the Grain” is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amidst confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.
Voices Against the Grain 