Will I Die Empty or Full?

I hear you say 'yet another awkward title'.. As you know, I enjoy thinking and asking God a lot of questions. This question popped up in my head during one of my time out sessions with my Father. 'Will I die empty or full?'

We all acknowledge the huge potential in every man created by God, considering the DNA put on his inside. Nevertheless, how many men live out this potential in its entirety? How many can successfully boast of putting to use every single bit of potential encrypted in them by God? When you live out your potential, make an impact in your sphere, put the grace of God available for you under pressure, I believe you can boast of dying empty. It does not really matter the age at which you die. What matters is that you lived, and you did so fully.

On the other hand, majority die still full, without even realizing what they carry on their inside. It seems like they lived without bothering to make an outstanding difference through utilizing the potential locked on their inside. I understand it takes a lot of effort to stand out and live beyond mediocrity especially in our world today. Yet, I do not think the inability to put effort is sufficient excuse to waste all that God spent His time to create and place in you.

What will your Eulogy say about you? I wrote mine few months ago and I look at it weekly to remind myself of God's goal for me; to live fully and die empty. I apologize for being so blunt about death, considering no man wants to die. However, the reality remains that we are here for just sometime, and while we remain here, we better be doing and living out all that's been placed on our inside. Say no to mediocrity! Chose to die empty! Myles Munroe once said the richest place he ever visited was a grave yard because of the many treasures buried in there without use. If it's an idea, work it out. If it's a book, write it. If it's a business plan, implement it. If it's ministry, go for it(be sure there's a call though..lol). Do not be among the 'Had I Known folks' who would be shocked when we get to heaven because of the magnificent exuberance of the Father, who expects us to be His earthly representatives.

May His Grace keep you always.  

Where is Your Worth?

I was extremely bullied by peers while growing up. This experience resulted in my being uptight and not wanting to relate so much with humans. I remember feeling worthless at some point, while struggling at the same time to be accepted by these peers. I eventually gave up the whole seeking attention craze, as I landed in unpleasant experiences severally, which left me feeling worse every time.

Fast forward to many years after, I found my worth in Christ. I came to know His deep reaching, breath taking love for me. Ever since then, it's been an unstoppable, not-looking-back journey into the life that God gives. My experience in God so far, has been mind blowing to say the least.

Today, I see a lot of people struggle with their self worth. Our society does more harm than good, as it proffers its own standards of determining self worth which a lot of people have fallen prey to. I do not think your worth should be determined by academic accolades or material possessions. What happens to all those things when you feel like crap while laying in your closet, ALONE?

It is my desire that we will all embark on a journey of becoming who we really are irrespective of what parameters the society uses in determining self worth. The moment we realize we can not live or be outside our creator, there our life actually begins. These parameters set by society actually clutters the real you, while you develop a persona that fits into what you think is acceptable. I believe this has contributed to the many ills prevalent in today's society.

I pray and hope that we will find our worth in Christ and fulfill the very purpose for which mankind was made; that the intelligence and creativity of God be revered and praised by all beings.

God will, and still remains the only life giver, through Jesus His Son.

Gratitude...The Default State of a Redeemed Heart

As I journey daily in my walk with God, my eyes of understanding are opened with new things being revealed to me. In most cases I live in awareness of these things, but some days I get a different understanding of these prior 'normal things'.

For sometime, I've been asking God about David. Some of my questions were: "How come he wrote most of the Psalms? Especially the Psalms that ascribe everything to God, Psalms that describe God's faithfulness, His loving kindness, never ending mercies and compassion?" David was in battles for a better part of his life. I mean from Goliath, to the Philistines, to the Amalekites, and all the 'ites'. It was one battle after the other. Was he not busy with the task of planning battles, running from Saul, preparing to rule Israel, making plans for Solomon to build the temple? His stories indicate that he was a very busy man.  Yet, he wrote most of the Psalms in thanksgiving. How come Adam never wrote a psalm or did something to reflect gratitude? or maybe I'd find out when I get to heaven. 

Here's what I have realized; the default state of a heart that knows God is thanksgiving. You get to the point where you just know that you can never be self sufficient but there is a supreme power behind your very being. Inadvertently, you become thankful in everything, living out the admonition in 1Thessalonians5:17 " give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".

This Psalm sets things in perspective;

You make grass grow for cattle and make vegetables for humans to use

 in order to get food from the ground.

You make wine to cheer human hearts,

Olive oil to make faces shine, and bread to strengthen human hearts.

The Lord’s trees, the cedars in Lebanon which he planted, drink their fill.

Birds build their nests in them, Storks make their homes in fir trees.

The high mountains are for wild goats.

The rocks are a refuge for badgers.

He created the moon, which marks the seasons, and the sun, which knows when to set.

He brings darkness, and it is nighttime, when all the wild animals in the forest come out.

The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.

When the sun rises, they gather and lie down in their dens.

Then people go to do their work, to do their tasks until evening.

When you come to the knowledge of this Job description, which God does without help, your default mode will be gratitude.

Lord, I am thankful for your daily love for me. 

Rest in Peace

I know the title of this post might seem absurd, but permit me to explain. Four years ago, my Pastor preached a message titled "rest in peace".. The moment I heard the title, I was like "huh? How does that relate to we who are alive and breathing?". Today, my understanding of resting in peace is deeper, and still evolving.

To rest in peace means to enter God's rest while allowing His peace flood your heart, irrespective of what happens around you. Apparently, a living being can actually rest in peace on earth, without being dead. Jesus displayed the reality of this concept while on the boat, in transit with His disciples. He was asleep during a storm! "Suddenly, a severe storm came across the sea. The waves were covering the boat. Yet, Jesus was sleeping." Matt8:24.

I believe the bible describing the storm as 'severe' is to proffer an understanding of how bad the storm was. It was no mere storm, as it covered the boat. Yet Jesus was asleep. I do not think he was so deep in sleep that he could not wake up and shiver at their fate. He knew who He was in God, He knew the power He had, He knew the plan was not for him to die through a storm. Hence, He chilled, took a comfortable position and slept. This explains His admonition to us in Matt11:29; "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,..you will find rest for your souls".

What confidence do we have when we are faced with the storms of life? How can we take advantage of the rest available for the people of God as stated in Heb 4:9? The only practical way I know is to cast all our cares and burdens on God and leave it there. You can not leave the burden with God, and then wonder how He's going to work it out. I believe this steals the peace we should have, preventing us from entering into God's rest. "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."  John14:27 

You can only enjoy the rest of God when you have the peace that Jesus gives. Since I found this secret and decided to live it out, I have enjoyed peace in God's rest. It's inexplicable. I am not moved by what my circumstances tell me. Whatever you may be going through today, I encourage you;  "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Phil4:6-7

May you bask in the rest of God and His peace.

P.s I grew up listening to this song, but I recently got a revelation understanding of the lyrics. Listen and be blessed. :)

He gives me Peace

I Press on....

One of the "what if" questions in my last post(someone called it a "rant" :) ) happened to me this past week. I would spare the details of my experience, but it shook me so much that I shut down all activities for over two days. Talk about being caught unaware by events.

Everything has just left me wondering why we go through the things we go through? I have a lot of questions which I know would remain unanswered possibly until I get to heaven.Nevertheless, how do you let go of the many unnamed feelings caused by events and still press on in this journey called life, especially in your faith as a Son of God on earth? How can I let go of these feelings and just focus on my journey to who and what God has called me to be? It is so easy to quote "this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead...."Phil3:13 Do we really live it out? Letting go of the memories of yesterday for an uncertain tomorrow can sometimes be a hard call to make...

My therapy for letting go has been to genuinely admit how I feel, by crying and expressing my feelings to God, just the way they are. This opens me up to receive help from the Holy Spirit who comforts me by refocusing my gaze to the word of God, which is my reality irrespective of the prevalent circumstances. I eventually pick myself up and press on towards the goal for the prize of my calling in Jesus Christ.

I just thought to encourage anyone going through a tough time by putting up this post. Jesus never said it will be easy, but He said we would face all sorts of trials and hard times, but we should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Since He lives in us, we are ourselves over-comers. Hence, when we go through fire or water, nothing hurts us. Even if it hurts us and we fall, we rise up and press on. Although a righteous man may fall seven times, he will still rise up. We take solace in the fact that in order to reign with Christ in glory, we should be willing to partake of some form of suffering just like He did while on earth. The calling on our lives is worth fighting for!

Be of Good Cheer! God Bless you!