Review of ‘Obstacles Welcome’ by Ralph de la Vega

Obstacles Welcome is a book that discusses the principles necessary to become successful in the business world.  De la Vega shares his life journey beginning as a 10-yr-old immigrant through today.  Now the President and the CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, the author exemplifies the steps he took to become successful in not only his business, but more importantly in his life.   Ralph talks about the severity of having great character, being willing to sacrifice, and having the courage to take calculated risks in every season of your life.

Being a person that is not entrepreneurially inclined by nature, this book brought the key foundations of becoming successful in life and business into my world and understanding.  The author was able to show me that even when I have nothing, with enough determination, I am able to achieve anything I can put my mind to.  The content of the book was moderately intellectual for me, though I felt the order in which the author presented his information could have been organized in a more appealing matter. The overall gist of the book had many underlying biblical truths that I appreciated and was able to point out easily.  I would recommend this book to younger students just beginning to focus on their future.

Nothing But The Best

Wow has it been a year since I’ve blogged?! Holy Cow! Well this is my first attempt at getting back in the groove of writing and posting blogs.  I have forgotten how much I miss this place and the ability to allow what God has been doing in me to tumble onto the page in poetic chaos.  

This post is very dear to my heart and it is a reality that God is still molding me and shaping me into every day.  Sometimes through success and rejoicing, but mostly through pain, heartache, and the humbling experience of facing my inner demons. 

I’ve been in a season of my life where my character has been questioned, my integrity attacked, and everything that I have known has been turned upside down and exposed in a totally different light than what I have ever been acquainted with in the past.  I will be the first to admit that I am young, I am fallible, I am human, I struggle like everyone else, and I hurt people that I love the most without even trying.  In fact, I make the effort not to hurt those I love and in turn end up making a bigger mess than anyone could think possible.  Pain has taken form and voiced its stance and its friend condemnation has second his motion.  I find myself in these times when the darkness taunts me and I have no strength left, weeping on my bed and crying out for the only one that I know can change me.  And the voices in my head lie to me tell me He is angry with me, that I am an enemy.  And I can almost feel the nail and hammer in my hand.  

Yet truth speaks softly to me, “You deserve the best…”

Shame forces me to abort this thought.

Yet it speaks louder, “You are a new creation, you are redeemed…”

I don’t know what to believe.

And again, “You are Mine. You deserve the best for your life because I have made you royalty.  Behold the old is past and all things are made new.”

This time I stop to listen a little closer.

This voice isn’t condemning like the others.  It doesn’t feel dark, or controlling, or restricted.  It feels different… something is different… it has………….hope.

The Lord begins to speak to me about the best for my life.  He tells me that because I am adopted by Him and am considered equal with Christ that I deserve the best.  Because royalty deserves the best.  He tells me that if I truly embraced this revelation that it would change every area of my life.  

He showed me that if I believed that I deserved the best for my life in my finances, then I would handle my finances with the utmost intent and integrity.  My relationship to my finances would change because I would believe I deserve the best, I deserve to be blessed, to be prosperous, to be generous. 

He showed me that if I believed that I deserved the best for my life in my friendships and relationships that I would also walk with the utmost integrity in all I do.  Because I would believe that I deserve only the best relationships and friendships and I wouldn’t want to do anything to sabotage the best that God has for my life.  I believe this is the practical manifestation of walking in the will of God.  

Same goes for my ministry and relationship with the Lord.  I would value my time with Him above all.  I would live at His feet.  Worship would be an aroma like incense flowing from my spririt.  And I would do whatever it took to be with Him for just one more moment, just one more touch, just one more word, just one more…

 Because no longer would I see myself as a peasant look from the outside into the kingdom.

But I would know that my place is at the feet of Jesus in the center of His Presence. 

That’s where revelation takes form and becomes reality.

And that’s when reality multiplies and produces fruit. 

And I find that though darkness demands my loyalty, that truth is my advocate.

And in fact, it is true, that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God.

I am my beloved’s and he is mine. His desire is towards me.