In The Living Room With Missionary & Author Sheila L. Jackson

Author Sheila L. Jackson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and a very dear and wonderful friend. She is the prime example that it is not where you come from, but indeed who you truly are and where God is taking you. Sheila lives by the motto, "I want more out of life than just to exist", and she has proven just that by opening her heart and mind to the endless possibilities that God has her name on.
I am so happy to introduce this awesome woman of God to you and share a little about her life and obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

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Tell our viewers who you are and a little bit about you.

I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, where I still reside with my husband and two daughters. I graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S in 1984. I work as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree from ULM of Monroe, LA. and an Associate of Science degree from Southern University, Shreveport, LA. I was not the product of a Christian home, but at an early age God revealed things and worked through me, even when I didn’t know what it all meant at the time. I have been speaking for over 15 years, teaching for 18 years (on many topics & genres), and a published author for 5 years.  I am the author of “The Enemy Within” and “Through the Eyes of God”. I penned many articles, such as: Only the Strong Survive, Count it all Joy, and Suffering in Silence, which appeared in Dream Magazine. I also wrote: Voting Booths, allow you to speak now or forever hold your peace (during the presidential election) and The Effects of Bullying in our school system,which both appeared in the Shreveport Times.

Do you truly believe that you are walking in your purpose and Sheila what did it take to get you to this point?

Yes, I know that I am walking in my purpose. Just to see so many people that are helped by what God has put in me, let’s me know that I’m where He wants me to be. It took stepping out of my comfort zone and refusing to be just another bench member to say, “Yes God, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it”, but do nothing at all. When I said that, I truly meant it,  but it came with a price: the alienation from family, friends, and jealous church members that I surpassed when it came to being an obedient servant of God.

What advice would you give to a young woman who knows that God has something special for her, but somehow can’t seem to get enough faith to walk in her purpose?

I will tell her first to pray and ask God to strengthen her where her faith is weak. Secondly, surround yourself with strong women of God that are stepping out and walking boldly in their purpose. Thirdly, not worry how things are going to work out, because if God has given you the vision, it will surely come to past.

All of us have gone through some rough times, Can you recall a time when you really believed that God had left you by yourself and how did you overcome?

I remember when God first started speaking to me about my ministry. As long as I was doing nothing, everybody loved Sheila, but when I accepted the things that God was calling me out to do, the hellhounds broke loose. I felt alone and thought I had heard wrong, the mission that He had called me out to do.  God later revealed to me that I had to go through those wilderness experiences to develop tough spiritual skin. I’ve learned that as God elevates you higher, the attacks from Satan are that much stronger. God sends us through the storm, because it will keep us on our knees depending on Him. Even when we feel that we are alone, He is there.

In Ten minutes, would you give our viewers testimonies of God’s goodness and something specific that has happened in your life that will encourage, change, or usher them into a new perspective on life.

When God spoke to me about writing a book, I thought I was imagining things. Nevertheless, I was obedient and signed my first contract within 8 months of completing it. I was raised in an abusive home, where neither parent attended church, but God planted a seed in me at an early age to seek Him. I never would have thought a person like me was worthy of Him using me to proclaim His Word.
God has blessed me to touch so many lives, because I was willing to step out by faith to do His will and in return He has blessed my family and me tremendously. I’ve learned to never let anyone tell me what I can and cannot do, when God has already anointed me for the job.

Find out more about Sheila L. Jackson by going to www.sheilajackson2.com.