Happy New Year, Folks! With each day turning into the next, we managed to scale through another pandemic-ridden year to enter 2022, with joy and gladness and hope for a better year. What are your expectations and plans for this year? Well, before I jump into it, let me apologize for my prolonged silence on…
He knew better than we could ever know, the kind of troubles we would have to face; and well ahead of them, He promised us His peace and gave it freely. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Letting us know that in the face of serious challenges to our peace, when the only thing we see is trouble and fear, He has given us peace. That peace will overshadow and calm every storm in ways that only He can. “Peace, be still…” (Mark 4:39)
Nothing could have prepared them for what happened a month later. The whole village was caught unawares. We all woke up to a regular day and were going about our regular business. It was early, around 7 a.m. For Tobi and Laide, they had woken up early, as usual. Activities on their farm was off to an early start. Laide went to collect fresh eggs from the chicken pen and on her way, picked some fresh tomatoes to fry with the eggs. Although the farm had a big poultry unit, she kept her own chickens in a pen, within her reach. She also had a small garden of her own, where she grew a few vegetables for their needs. She delighted in serving her family fresh food. It was one of the perks of farm living.
I may not be able to explain why the things causing this pain have been allowed to happen or even linger. All I know is that when I call to Him, in my distress, He will answer me (Psalm 120:1). He will be with me in trouble. He will rescue me and honour me (Psalm 91:15). He is my Father and my God (Psalm 89:26) and I trust Him to make it all good in His time (Eccle.3:1,11).
I agree that it is time to move on, but we must be properly equipped for the journey ahead. This is not a journey for the fainthearted. We must focus on the Good Shepherd who knows the way and the destination. Why? We have not travelled this way before. The terrain is strange to us and we do not have a map to follow. But, we have the Way with us. He is ready and willing to guide us. His thoughts towards us are good and He has good plans for us.
A life of no regrets is unrealistic. However, this does not mean we should go to town, misbehaving at will. While it is true that human nature is fallible, when we rely on God to help us and guide us, we can live a fruitful and productive life, where we are constantly learning and adjusting our behavior as we go through life. That is an enabled life. A life of marvelous help from God. That is what we should aim for.
There is some profit in bodily exercise,. Go ahead and get some. Do it well. Do it consistently. Spiritual exercise profits a lot, not just in this life but also in the life to come. Get a lot of it. Do it well. Do it consistently.
Get fit.
Get physically fit. It would save you from unnecessary illness. It would make you able to enjoy life better. And you look better in clothes too!
Get spiritually fit. The benefits are innumerable, for yourself and your family. And it continues into the after life.
It’s high time we came out of our shells and the limitations of culture and tradition and open ourselves up for health and healing by sharing our feelings. Like has been popularly said in counselling situations, “ How does that make you feel?”
I’m glad to be alive to celebrate this Easter and I am glad to shout with brethren, the world over “ He is Risen”. Can we also add to that and mean it, “He is Coming Again!”
Yet, people wake up and go to work. The markets are open. Churches are open. Humans are moving like robots and the sun rises and sets each day. Where are the people with seeing eyes and hearing ears? There is trouble in the land. It is a keg of gunpowder waiting for the slightest spark to explode. Where are you? What are you doing?
