E. 12 The Stewardship of Transition: Releasing Reputation and Embracing the Blueprint

Episode Summary: In this concluding episode, Coach Paul and April Nova Scipio dive deeper into the internal mechanics of a major life transition. They discuss the necessity of leaving "no residue" from past seasons, the danger of letting a brand or ministry become an idol, and the power of operating in "stealth mode." This conversation is a masterclass in identity, showing how to move from being defined by your past accolades to being led by God’s present blueprint.

Key Takeaways:

• Foundation vs. Framework: While you bring knowledge and wisdom from past experiences, those experiences should not determine how you operate in a new season. Use them as a foundation to build exactly what God is calling for now.
• Releasing the Outcome: Hesitation often comes from a fear of how an audience or community will respond. April advises "kicking all expectations out the window" and focusing solely on obedience. When you release control of the outcome, you create space for God’s superior results.
• Identity vs. Idolatry: Coach Paul shares his journey of releasing his "Set Free" ministry, realizing that when a mission becomes "who you are" rather than "what you do," it can become a form of idolatry. Transition is God’s way of enhancing your growth, not destroying what you've built.
• Present Reality vs. Past Reputation: Elevation often requires entering new rooms where your "resume" is unknown. April emphasizes being comfortable with letting your present actions speak louder than your past accolades, even if it means being a "beginner" in a new circle.
• Operating in "Stealth Mode": Inspired by the stealth bomber, this mode involves being active and functional while remaining "off the radar" of public validation. It is a healthy season of private building where God reveals your full mission only when the time is right.
• The Architect and the Blueprint: Vision is one thing, but the blueprint requires structure, wisdom, and discipline. Sometimes God pulls you into an "elevated space" to see the entire blueprint because you’ve become too focused on one small part or blinded by frustration.
• Letting Go as Stewardship: Releasing an old assignment is an act of stewardship. Since our gifts and visions are given through the "generosity of Christ," they ultimately belong to Him, and we must be willing to give them back when He calls for a shift.

Scriptures Mentioned:

• Ephesians 4:4-7: Understanding that we are one body with special gifts given through the generosity of Christ.
• The Life of Moses: How moving to an elevated space allows you to see the "promised land" when you've lost sight of the vision.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with April Nova Scipio: Visit theNovaCompany.org or follow her on social platforms @AprilNovaScipio.
• The NovaCo Podcast: Listen to April’s new journey starting from Season 1.
• Review the Show: If you found value in this episode, please leave a review and share it with other kingdom builders.

Huge shout out to my dude Jason Stephens that is my Music Creator, Information coming to get him to do your music as well!!!

Follow me on all socials below:

YouTube

Facebook

IG

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hey, hey, hey, what's going on, y'all? We are back, and I am back with my sister, April Nova Scipio. And so we're going to continue this conversation as promised, and we're going to dive into this dialogue because it was just so good that we just could not stop, right? And so we're back. We've got my sister in here. But listen, we are what I want to do is just kind of catch you up. If you did miss last week's episode, we're talking about dying to self. We're talking about the red and blue pill. We're talking about all these seasons of transition that you may be dealing with in your life right now as a business owner, a leader, or maybe you're in ministry, right? And we're talking about new levels and how they require the stretching of your faith. And sometimes you have to actively do the things that remind you to make a decision. We're also going to be talking about identity. We're also going to be talking about even though your successful brand that you've built, the books, the podcasts, and all of the things, how you how you were able to transition through that, right? So that's on episode one of this interview. So go on back, check it out, listen in. But today, what I want to talk about is really looking at the identity of a thing. Because for the kingdom builder that's listening right now, that knows that God is asking them to change a name, a ministry name, drop an old habit, like whatever that is, and allowing God to take them through the season of dying, I want you to kind of let's go a little bit deeper on this area of what you said last week of leasing leaving no residue from your past season. So it meant for you abandon me, abandoning a 500th episode podcast to really start completely over at a season one. So my question for you today, right now, is this is there anything, even though God said leave the residue behind, are there still frameworks, are there still foundations, are there still those areas of what you've built that you can still bring into this new season? Just in case the person that's in transition is saying, Well, do I start with a clean slate of paper and just burn everything? Or do I bring some of that knowledge and wisdom into this new season?

SPEAKER_00 2:50

I mean, I definitely think you're gonna bring the knowledge and wisdom with you. We're not gonna unsee some things, we're not gonna forget the experiences that we have. Those experiences shape who we are. But just because an experience shapes who you are doesn't mean that experience gets to determine now how you move, how you operate, how you do certain things. So I think for me and my journey, yes, there are things that I learned along the way, but that was just a foundation. And now I'm like, all right, I have to build the thing that God has called me to build on that foundation.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

I love that. I love that. And so in that same conversation, you mentioned something about how your inner circle supported your obedience because of your track record, your family, also your online community and clients, and that they were like cool with receiving this new you. So, what advice do you have for a person right now that may be in that in this same season again, who is hesitating to transition because they're worried about losing their current audience or community? Was that something that that you had to deal with? Was that part of the mindset? Was it a fear? Was it a doubt? Was it the enemy? Like, like, how does how do you transition through it? And then how can we help someone else get through that?

SPEAKER_00 4:21

Yeah, I think you have to release expectations because what can happen is we expect, number one, we expect it to be a certain way, or we expect people to respond a certain way. Right? So this reminds me of a few years ago, I was at a conference, and you know, I'm in the audience, just receiving from the Lord, worshiping, hearing the speakers and all the things, and God had to remind me that one of the ways that He calls me to function in the body of Christ is pastor. And I had to embrace that, and God was like, you have to embrace that so that you can function in that, and he showed me that I was already in my mind deciding how people were going to receive that, and that was hindering me. So I had that experience to lean on. So in this situation where God is changing my name, it was like God already showed me that pre-deciding how people are going to respond or already thinking that you're gonna expect people to do a certain thing is not the route you need to go. So for anyone who's in that transition, just kick all the expectations out the window. It doesn't matter how people respond because you want to make sure you're obedient and you ex what we can do is expect God to move, expect God's plan to be fulfilled in our lives, expect good things because God is good, expect God to sustain us through the challenges, but we're gonna take our expectations off the outcome. See what happens is we're we're afraid to step into the new because we're trying to hold on to the outcome that we desire. But the outcome that we desire, that's nine times out of ten, gonna be on a lower level than the outcome that God has for you. But when we can release the expectation and release the desired outcome, now that creates space for us to truly receive the results and outcome that God has for us. So we gotta we gotta let go and release control of the expectation and the outcome.

SPEAKER_01 6:37

So good. This is so, so good. This is exactly where I wanted to land because I know for me, when I had to release my old ministry set free, it was one of those areas of that was my identity. That's what I functioned at. Everyone knew me as set free, set free recovery coach, set free life church, like all the things. And so when it was that season of frustration, right? That season of like, I know there's something more, but what do I gotta do to get there? And in those moments, we have to like look at it going, okay, so I know God's calling me to this new season, I know he's calling me to this new space, I know he wants to elevate me, but I had to get to that place of understanding like what do I have to let go of? Like what part of me has to die? And I think that's one of the greatest struggles in frustration because and I'm sure you could speak to this too, it's your baby. You created the baby, it was the thing that was birthed from you. God gave you something that was tangible five, 10 years ago, and you're like, I birthed this thing, and it's no longer even in the midst of it's time to delegate, it's time to release it, it's time to let it go. And so for me personally, I had to go through this transition of well, who the heck am I? Because everything crumbled, everything within a matter of a month's time, leadership was gone, ministry was shut down, um, new location in the church that we were at. We were in a whole new location. And this is back in 2014. So you're looking 12 years ago. I'm not I wasn't where I'm at today back then, the mindset-wise. It was like, what the heck? Like you gave me this thing, and all the stuff, all the confusion, the frustration, leadership telling me, hey, we're gonna transition. And it was literally like, who are you to take this from me? This is what God gave me. So was it a good season of taking it and then really building on it? Yes, it was a great season. However, when it became who I was, that's when it almost became idolatry, right? Like, no, this is who we are, this is what we did, like we built it, I built it, I, I, I, we, we, we. And then it came to a point where it's like no, God built it. God gave it, God has instructing me to shift into a new level. And I believe sometimes, and this is dropped in my spirit. I believe sometimes it's not so much that God wants you, God is not out to make you frustrated. God's not out to destroy the things that you've built. He wants to enhance those things because those were the steps that had to be taken in order to get to your next level. And so when I think about that, I think about the birthing, right? I've never birthed nothing, obviously. Um, but at the same time, it's like when I mean, I can't speak from a mother's perspective. I'm just throwing stuff out, and please jump in whenever you feel like. But the truth is this is like first you're going through all of those birthing pains. Then comes the day that the baby comes. Now it's loving the thing that was birthed, even though it hurt. And now it's time to watch it grow. Watch it move from one stage to another. And I can relate to that part because of my grandbaby. I've seen her go through stages, I've seen her go through little milestones, and she's in gymnastics and she's running, and now she's doing flips that I never I can't do. Um, and I'm like, this girl is going through these phases. And I believe that that's where that's what God sees in us with the things He's given us. Like, He's like, Yeah, that's great, but it's time for you to grow. It's time for you to let go of that old teddy bear, it's time for you to get into this new space, all of the things. So I'm gonna hand the mic over to you. I would love your perspective on the birthing, like all of that, and then just yeah, let's just flow. Let's just flow.

SPEAKER_00 11:18

Yeah, I mean, this whole conversation is so good. And when you go to that new stage, like you talked about watching your grandbaby, you know, you see all the stages that she's going through, you're excited for the new stage. You recognize there was an old season, but you don't look at her through the lens of the old season, you look at her in her new season. And I think that's what us. We have to continue to view ourselves through the eyes of this new season. And part of that means I'm releasing reputation because, see, the old season kind of is my resume of what I've built, of what I've done, of what I can accomplish. So, in order for me to really embrace myself in this new season, I have to release that people know me for the old. And that just really hit home because you know, I live in a new geographical location. People are meeting me for the first time. They're seeing, you know, you're just on podcast podcasts, a you just started this brand, NovaCo. So in their eyes, I'm kind of newer. And I have to be okay with that. I have to be okay with them not knowing I have 500 podcast episodes, I've been in business for seven years, I have this many clients, I've walked through my programs and offers, I've hosted, you know, all these conferences, I've done in-person events, you know. I have to be willing to be okay with showing up in a room and letting my present speak louder than my past. Because here's the thing we step in a new season, we step in new rooms, and we want to tell everybody our resume. But there are season, there's a there's a place for that, but we also have to be comfortable with stepping in a new space and letting what we're currently doing speak for us.

SPEAKER_01 13:29

Man, that was so good. And just the part about the reputation, understanding that your reputation really comes down to the integrity of your character, no matter where you are, new circles, new environments, and I can relate because right now I'm in a season of new circles, new environments, new phone calls. I'm going to a one-on-one networking thing this afternoon. This this guy owns this detailing shop, and he he had his admin call me and say, Hey, so-and-so wants to know if you want to come and do a one-on-one networking and get a free car wash. And I'm like, Well, what's a one-on-one networking? And he's like, She's like, This is a a space that he creates to where he gets to know you, and then you get your car detailed for free. And I'm like, Well, who would pass that up? I'm like, Yeah, for sure. I'll be there. So it's like these new circles, and then also on the online space of entering into new circles, but not like them not knowing where you come from. And it only gives us an opportunity to function at the level that we are, and to your point, it's okay, and you have to be okay with entering into bigger rooms where at some point you were an eight, now you're a number two. To really realize that, like, man, I I'm a two, but happily admit it because that's where the real boldness comes from, that's where the real grit comes from, that's where real character shows up to say, man, I'm about to glean from something great because God has prepared me from the past into the present to be able to accept this new level of stewardship. Because I think that's what it also comes down to as well, is the stewardship of where God is taking us. We were just talking about this in the men's group this morning about God will trust us with the big if he trusts us with the little. Right? And so as we are building business, as we are building confidence, as we are we're operating in this identity piece, man, this is where everything will shift. This is where ideas shift. This is where you can you can still bring in the old idea, or you can glean from it saying, Oh, okay, somebody's talking about such and such, and they're like, I just don't know how to put this thing together. That's where you have the opportunity to be like, I got this, like I can handle that part. And let's be honest, that's another form of revenue, that's another space of revenue. You're entering into new places, and so how do we as business owners? Man, how did you I don't know why I'm so fixed on the piece of like I guess for me, I like to fight God sometimes. Like, no, I think it's this way. But how did you like did you have those moments of like wham, whah, whah? I want to stay right here. I'm okay. Help our people understand how you transitioned out of like through that. What was your yeah, how did you get through that piece of it?

SPEAKER_00 17:13

I most definitely had the wow, wow, whah kicking my feet moments for sure, because how God is having me move in this season is so unconventional. It's not what the experts say, right? The experts say find your person, speak to that person, offer the thing, grow your audience, make a name for yourself, and you know, your business will grow. And God has been so clear, like this is so wild because before stepping into this year, I was like, 26, I'm focusing on my marketing. I'm gonna do this and this and this, I'm gonna grow my audience. And while there is still some validity to that, God's like, you're gonna grow at the pace that I have you. I'm the one that's gonna elevate you. You it's not gonna be because you had this certain post. It's not gonna be because you showed up a certain way. Do I want you to show up? Yes. Do I want you to have these certain types of posts? Yes. But you're gonna understand that your elevation comes from me. So, yes, there was kicking and screaming because he's making me operate outside of what's taught in business world. He's making me operate kind of like in um now. Help me pronounce it because I know you're a movie person. Is it stealth mode? What is it?

SPEAKER_01 18:46

Stealth mode.

SPEAKER_00 18:47

Help me out. Yes, what is that? What's that?

SPEAKER_01 18:50

Like the stealth, like stealth mode is is literally so the government created the stealth bomber to be able to hide from the radar. So stealth mode is like operating in a way it still looks like a plane, it acts like a plane, but no one can see exactly where it's going. I already know where you're going. Let's go.

SPEAKER_00 19:15

That's me. Like you see me, you see me online, you see my lives, you see the podcast, you see me networking, you see me having events, you see all this, but you don't really see what I see. But at the right time, there will come, there will be a moment when God will make me visible to the point where He desires for me to be visible. And I gotta be okay with that. I gotta be okay with people seeing only a small fraction of what I'm really called to do.

SPEAKER_01 20:00

Wow. Yes. I can really I mean that's that's a whole podcast in itself. Like that is a whole podcast on how to operate as a stealth. Like what what is that stealth mode that you're operating in? Because here's here's the challenge in so many different areas is in those uh crazy seasons, we still have to show up. Now, you may not have shown up as much as you as you once did, right? Through that tough season. I've been in those tough seasons as well. Sometimes it's like in those seasons, what I've learned is it's okay to be stealthy. Stealthy is healthy, right? It's healthy because when you get to a place where you're comfortable with saying, not everyone has to see me daily. Because what happens so many times is we show up a lot of times because of the inner drive of ourselves to feel validated. Right? But when God takes us through a process, because we've been so groomed by ourselves and by society and social media and other kingdom frameworks, let's just be honest, your framework may not work for me. And that was the place where I was in for a few years of going into a new circle and looking at things like, well, they're saying this. Well, maybe I need to scale back. Well, maybe I need to do this, and maybe, maybe I am doing it wrong. That it got me into this place of full time, unrevenued space, right? And no shade on anybody, but I should have listened to what God was telling me personally. Now, did some of that stuff help me? Yeah. But it did, but did it elevate me? No. Was it good knowledge and wisdom? Yes. But was it for my opportune time? No. I say that with no no hesitation. Why? Because I've learned, and I'm sure you've learned, like this season, not everybody can come with me. And I'm and I'm and I'm rejoicing in the fact, even last episode, I was joking around, like, hey, what? You got this hub stack thing going. I didn't even know about it. But that's something God gave you. Doesn't mean no everybody gotta know what you're doing. The same with me. It's like there's things that I'm doing there. People like, I didn't know you're doing that. Well, you weren't supposed to know. You follow what I'm saying? Or let's be adults. And you don't have to know everything. Like there's just things that I'm just gonna go do. And that's what I believe, I think both of us have learned that in our growth through separation. Because let's face it, we used to talk on the phone almost every day. Yeah, we called it brainstorming, but no, we would, it was just a good distraction. We were sharing stories, we were sharing hopes and dreams, but there was nothing happening, right? So now we do a check-in once or twice per week, a text, an audio text, something just to say, hey, just want to let you know I'm praying for you. I love you, have a great day. Boom, it's done. Yeah. Right? Because we're going after the thing that God has called us to do. Like I was talking last episode, we're on two different tracks. We're still trains, we're still moving, and at some point we will intersect because we got some stuff coming down the pipeline, hopefully Q3. Okay. But the truth is, is that not everybody has to know everything.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:56

Because not knowing that we put doubt in people's minds sometimes as friends and beloved family, and all of the things, sometimes it's because we think I have to look out for my sister, I have to look out for my brother. It's like, well, is it like maybe you want to do this, or maybe you want to do sometimes? It's like, no, take it to the father. What is the father saying? Because our heart's desire is like, man, why would you do that? Like, I don't know, this might be the wrong time. Then it puts doubt into someone's mindset, right? Not that we're trying to be evil, but at the same time, it's like, yo, you do you when I need some help or some advice? I'm gonna hit you up. But right now, this is what God is speaking to me. So how do we speak to the person right now that may be in that season of not only transitioning into the new, not only dying to self, but having to leave the noise and what can become chatter from those that are rocking out with you in one season?

SPEAKER_00 25:10

Yes, two things that come to mind. First, you talked about how not everybody has to know everything, and let's just be honest, as a spirit entrepreneur, God don't tell you everything. God, I'm not in the know. Okay, so there are some things that I do that I didn't know I was gonna be doing because I'm just following Jesus. Jesus doesn't always give us the whole rundown. We have to walk this thing out by faith. So if somebody mad that they don't know everything, it's like, wait a minute, like I I don't know everything. And if you're in a place where you know everything, then that's not walking and building by faith. So I just want to say that we are spirit-led and we're just going with God. As God says go left, you go left. He says go straight, you go straight. He says slow down, speed up. We are following his direction, right? And for the person who is, you know, at this place where you know God's moving to this level, but you know that you're gonna have to operate maybe differently than you did as far as what you're sharing, what you're connecting, and all of that. Let me just encourage you the only way that we can truly step into what God has for us is by operating in wisdom and operating in discipline. Vision only goes so far. Vision requires structure, vision requires wisdom, vision requires knowledge. So I think what can happen is we're so hyped on the vision that we miss how God wants to structure you, who God wants to connect you with, who God wants a little bit of separation for. We miss all the little details, and then we're wondering why the vision didn't come to pass. Well, we didn't give the vision any arms and legs, we just took the vision and just ran with the vision without the wisdom required. So as God is moving you and shifting you and shaping you, and you have this big vision, be okay with him showing you the arms and legs to keep the thing moving.

SPEAKER_01 27:30

When I think about what you just said as you were talking, I'm like, God's the architect. And he's gonna give you the blueprint. The vision is one thing, but it's it's it's allowing the blueprint to speak as you build. I think many people, including myself, have missed the blueprint at times, or we're only looking at one piece of the blueprint when God is saying, I need you to remove yourself from a position and I need you to come, this is good, I need you to come higher so that you can see the entire blueprint. Why did God take Moses up to the mountain only to see the promised land? Because Moses lost sight of the vision. He thought it was just, he was just in this little space. He was angry, he was bitter, he was mad, he smote the rock, he did the things aside from what God told him to do. He told him to speak to the rock, right? And so God is literally showing us like, listen, my love and my silence at times is your best remedy. So sometimes when I'm silent, I need you to step into an elevated space and I need you to look at the blueprint. I need you to look at the things that you're missing. Because that would be like me right here. I've got a few things on my desk, right? But if I'm just focused here and I don't look around and be like, oh, I done forgot. I got this post-it that's got my bullets for the day. Or you know what? I'm kind of in a oh my God, like what am I supposed to do today? Look at my whiteboard. Oh, okay, that's right. I've got my list. It's the same when we're building something for God. And when we're building it for God, it's something that He's given us. And I think that's where so many business owners will begin to fail because we run with it on our own, or we're not looking at the entire blueprint, right? So, man, this is just so good. Like, again, we could sit here and we could just talk for hours, but Coach Aper, I am super thankful for you coming onto this podcast today. Um as we wrap this up, what is the encouragement that you have for somebody right now that is in a place that they literally have to take their community, they have to let it go. They have to look at their old identity and let it go. They have to look at their frameworks that they spent so many times working on and let it go. Because there's times when God will give it back to us. He will give it back to us, but he needs us to give it to him first. Look what he did with Abraham. He went to sacrifice Isaac and he said, Hold up, I see your faith. You don't need to sacrifice him. I see where you're at. What do we do with that? How how can we build someone's confidence today to know it's gonna be okay, business owner?

SPEAKER_00 30:42

Yeah. Letting go is actually stewardship. It's it's it's actually required. And I'm reminded of these verses here in Ephesians 4, verses 4 through 7, it says, For there is one body and one spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. So, two things to encourage you. Number one, you are a part of the body. Regardless if God shifts how you function or changes your assignment, it doesn't mean you aren't a part of the body. You are, and God is so strategic and intentional about where he's placing you because why are we doing all this? It's to advance God's kingdom. So God's gonna move and shift and shape however he wants to to fulfill the overall mission of advancing the kingdom of God. So you gotta trust, you gotta trust the head, right? You're a part of the body, Christ is the head. You gotta trust that. But I want to point your attention to the end of verse 7. Like you're a part of the body, however, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Our gifts, our assignments, the vision, the dream, it's all a gift from God. It does not even belong to us. It's out of God's generosity that he has called us to make an impact and a difference the way that he has. And if we try to hold on to it, do it our way, come up with our own list agenda, then we are not stewarding the generosity of Christ.

SPEAKER_01 32:42

So, so good. I hope y'all are taking notes. I hope y'all have enjoyed this podcast. I hope y'all have just gleaned from this. So we're wrapping it up, y'all. So thankful for this. Um, I'll definitely have you back here in a couple months. We'll have a whole different conversation. But if you could do us a huge favor, let us know where we can find you, your website link, all the things, all the things you got going on. Let us know.

SPEAKER_00 33:10

Yeah, you can just definitely find me on my website. You can go to thenovacompany.org and get connected with all the things that I have going on. Definitely check out the podcast, NovaCo podcast. I would appreciate you guys listening and sharing that out. Um, but yeah, I'm on all the social platforms at AprilNova Scipio. Love to connect and continue to hang out with you all.

SPEAKER_01 33:35

Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome. Well, thank you so much once again, y'all, for tuning in. We love you, God bless you, and we'll catch you on our next conversation. Peace. I want to thank you once again for tuning in to the Built for Confidence podcast. If you have found value in any of these episodes, do me a huge favor, drop me a review, and also let me know which episode has touched your life. My passion is to help business owners grow, scale, and expand for the kingdom of God. So let's get out there, let's build our businesses, share this style, hit that like, all the things, and we'll catch you on our next episode. God bless.