For Mary and Joseph, their joy was mixed with sorrow. They knew that the child they were being given to raise was not and would not be like other children of His time. He was special. Prophecies were being fulfilled at His birth and the parents each had angelic visitations. Things were definitely not business as usual.
Can I say that regardless of how this year turned out, we can still rejoice? Yes, we can. Because it’s not over until it’s over. Even in the dying days of this year, God can still show up for us. Even till the very last moment of the year. It is doubly reassuring that God is not limited by time, such that, even in the New Year, He can still do everything that we waited for in 2019 and did not receive. With Him, nothing is too difficult. With Him, all things are possible. All things.
I feel this is how God watches over His word, faithfully and meticulously bringing it to pass; ensuring the word is fulfilled in the perfection of His will. Although from our point of view, we might feel the fulfillment is being delayed, or disrupted. We may feel we have lost time or the opportunity we saw had disappeared. But God, who sees everything beyond what we can see or imagine, He remains in charge and ensures that at the appointed time, His word is fulfilled. His timing is never late or early. He is always right on time. And nothing can change His plans.
Our lives are filled with many uncertain outcomes. We have very little or no control over what happens in the next moment. Hence we tend to be anxious. The Bible tells us not to be anxious about any thing. Instead, we should pray and bring our issues before God. There’s also a promise that in its place, we will have the peace of God. Jesus said which one by worrying can add a cubit to his life? (Luke 12:25). Indeed, we can’t.
Isn’t it amazing to realise that we have come to the last quarter of 2019? The days have flown by and we find ourselves trying to take stock of the first nine months of the year. In these parts, this is the time where gloom sets in. Unrealised dreams, unfulfilled promises, dashed hopes. Everything comes to the fore. For some however, it is a happy season. They have a lot to show for the first nine months and are rejoicing at God’s goodness.
Jesus gave many descriptions or examples of hypocrisy, as was practiced by the scribes and the Pharisees. My example was one of them. Going through Matthew Chapter 23, there are a lot of those examples. The first one was the one that applied to me, found in verse 4:
‘For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers’
Be still and know that I am God
Be still, my soul and know
In trust, reclaim the rest He gives
Let every worry cease
There are times in life when we feel so alone, as if we have no one to care for us or look after us. Not because the people don’t exist, but more because at that particular time, we feel like they are far from us and cannot meet the particular need for affection, a listening ear or a warm hug. There are times when I feel like I have over-used the people around me and I just don’t want to bother them. Sometimes it’s because the issue bothering me cannot be discussed freely and I feel scared to open up to people. Whatever the cause, the fact is that at those times, loneliness creeps in quietly and strongly. With no one to turn to for help, what do we do?
So, here I am. Not really feeling up to writing much today. Sitting up is a bit painful. So is lying down. So, I’m encouraging myself. I need to make another trip to the hospital. While summoning the strength to drive all the way, I urge you to enjoy this poem. Let it whisper hope to your heart and bless you, the same way it is blessing me now.
It is an established fact in Christianity that the enemy of our faith is the devil. He is on the opposing side. Christians are on the other side. The field is life. Each side is in the game for a purpose. Our purpose is to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth, the devil’s purpose is to prevent us and to destroy us. The rules of the game are as stated in the word of God, the Bible. The whistle was blown many years ago, when God put Adam in Eden.
