2011 was a remarkable year in many ways. This was the year when the world's most renowned terrorist was finally caught and killed. We've also seen the fall of many dictators who terrorized their people for decades. Let's not forget the tsunami that took Japan by storm (no pun intended). But can I be real with y'all? While these events were very important, I will remember 2011 as being the year when everything that could possibly go wrong, went absolutely wrong. I am not being dramatic! I started the year with a health crisis, underwent surgery, incredible trials at my workplace, lost my job and finally depleted all my savings. I am back at square one. At times, I could not understand what was happening to me. I thought and even debated with God during my prayer time why He was allowing all of this. I even ran the risk of becoming self-righteous by challenging God with these following questions:
" Am I not living right? Am I not religiously attending church? Am I not devoting myself to prayer and studying the Bible? What else do you want from me? Why are you letting my enemies triumph over me? Is that how you reward those who are trying their best to obey you?"As you may think, my questions to our Heavenly Father were borderline arrogant and foolish. I thank God, who in His infinite Mercy and Patience, did not scold me as I deserve. Rather, He gently reminded me of these words from St. Paul :
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 (NIV)
I also recalled the prayer that I made earlier in 2011: '' Heavenly Father, I want to draw closer to you. Teach me how to worship you in spirit and truth." To my surprise, God did not take this prayer lightly. On the contrary, He used the tribulations and the challenges that I was going through to make me realize how much I need God. It is so simple yet true. Sometimes, we get puffed up. We start to believe our own hype. We think that we are strong, self-sufficient and independent and we can do it all by ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. That is the biggest lesson that I learned in 2011. It is only because of the grace of God that I am still standing. While it seems that I am loosing it, God is transforming my trials into triumphs. So, I am happy to report that as 2011 is coming to an end and Christmas is only few days away, God kept me. He would not allow me to let go of His Hand. He is teaching me to lean on His everlasting arms. He is encouraging me to call on Jesus, the Prince of Peace and ask Him to calm the storms of my life.
If you are reading and feel that you want to bury 2011 deep down in your memory, I want you to know that God sees you and He is neither letting you go nor down. Grab the Father's hands and Hold on firmly to His tight grip. By doing so, not only will you finish 2011 with a bang but you will also conquer 2012 with more strength, more wisdom and excellence. Still not a believer? Well, don't take my word for it but hear what God is saying to you in Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we want more of you in our lives. May we decrease, May Christ increase in us. We thank you Lord for the gift of life, for using our trials in 2011 to teach us to rely on your strength and to depend on your love. It is by your grace alone that we made it through 2011 and it is by your power that we will have the victory during the upcoming year. May our tests in 2011 become testimonies that will allow others to encounter the living Christ. May we become your jars of clay that you can melt , mold, fill and use so that we can be your vessels of Honor. In Jesus' Name. Amen!
May your life be a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God !
Abi
No comments:
Post a Comment