I have been a self-proclaimed background person as far back as I can remember. I wouldn’t wear things that made me stand out or dumb myself down so people wouldn’t notice me. Whenever someone asked for volunteers, I was the first to put my name down for the setup and cleaning crew. I was an expert at dimming my light.

When it was time to rebrand my company, I went round and round for weeks trying to come up with an appropriate name, but nothing was moving me. Then God said, “what’s wrong with your name?” Because of my need to blend into the background, I never thought to use my name. Nothing like being the name of a company to push you straight into the forefront. I didn’t want to use my name. I didn’t want that type of attention. Yeah, it sounds weird, a business owner who doesn’t want attention.

When God gets tired of us running in the opposite directions of His plans, He will knock down all the walls we create, and the excuses fall away. He began to explain to me that it doesn’t matter what I do; I cannot hide the light that He placed inside me. It didn’t matter what color clothes I wore or how far in the back I tried to stand. It doesn’t matter how much I try to minimize myself. He has something for me to say, and He will not give me rest until I do it.

I decided to be obedient but doubted myself all the same. I just knew my name would not be available as a business entity. To my surprise, it was. Then I looked it up on my website, and it was again available. It was entirely too simple and easy. But when God tells you to do something, and you give up your will for His, all the roads become straight. Not only was I able to name the company after myself, but I could also name all my social media sites and my website TJ Omotayo.

The other thing that this taught me is that when God decides that He wants you, there is nowhere that you can hide. God knew before time was time that I would need to use my name to do what He wanted me to do on this earth.  

He is an extraordinary God. He has some great plans for us. All we have to do is surrender and obey. Stop playing small. Somebody is waiting on you to complete your assignment so that they can be blessed. Your obedience is going to change their lives. All God needs from you is a yes!

You are a work in progress. Give yourself some grace. Listen to God’s instructions; he will never steer you wrong.