“Grrr! Why does it have to be this way? Lord I really want
…….. (insert your request here). I have prayed to you tirelessly about this,
why O Lord has it not been granted unto me? Speak to me Lord, just one word to
let me know where I stand in the midst of this storm of life. Where is my
breakthrough? Lord I am growing weary of the wait, for my strength seems to
have failed me yet another day. Is there any end to this? Have I not been
faithful to Your word, tarrying and enduring? When Lord, when? How Lord, how?
When and how will this all turn around the way I desire it to? I guess it’s
back to praying and waiting once again……”
I am sure you can relate to this monologue, whether
voiced via thoughts (internally) or words (externally). I know I
certainly can! Honestly, the course of life suited to our individual
specifications and personal situations can be daunting and frustrating. Often times
in meditation and reflection of times past, I have found myself pouring out to
God; my desires to see visible changes in my environment, especially through my
talents and abilities. Tears imprinted my visage’s canvas out of the inner
frustration and exhaustion of simply desiring better through God-centered quests
and accomplishments, only to have them unrealized.
In spite of all this, one thing always remained and
God always seeks to remind me: “Embrace your NOW, for it serves as training grounds
for your future. DO NOT DESPISE where you are today.” Wow! Talk about acquiring
(and continually so) new eyes! Simply put, He was stating, focus not on the problem
but rather focus on the solution. Of course, He was, is and always will be the
solution to our issues but He also seeks to offer a practical methodology towards
easier and bearable livelihood. Two scriptures standing out to me, relative to
these statements are Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a
future and a hope”
and Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust
in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)
All this “talking” is as fleeting as the wind,
without proper illustration. Hence I expound on this life lesson. In reading prior inserts in this blog, you may have received a brief insight as to certain occurrences in my
life- most notably the death of my mother at the age of 16. For quite a few
years I struggled to understand, the significance of this in my present life,
but as the days roll by, the picture’s blurriness and distortion is being
corrected to my vision.
A beautiful part of the 2014 era is the obvious road
to Godly covenant (marriage) opened to me. With the time’s progression,
a deeper appreciation for things that I learnt in the years past remains
evident as it is now a second nature. In these ten years subsequent to her demise,
the training and journey to becoming a wife began. Learning to care for my family’s
needs (i.e. physical, emotional, spiritual), more for specifically the males;
and household/ family management, was and remains pivotal. Have I mastered it? A greater
part of me longs to say yes, but truthfully I have learnt to embrace and change
with change. Continually with these changes I seek balance, where the right
persons/ things get appropriate attention and in that precise context- nothing or
no one is left out. This goes with the understanding that within time persons
present and responsibilities change; some may remain and other may not- in all
wisdom one needs to know which ones to let go of and which ones to hold onto;
know each’s seasons and purpose in your life.
Also important, were/are the lessons drawn about
myself- who I am and who I am destined to become in Christ; ensuring that God
continually changes me for His glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Not forgetting above all,
coming to the understanding that without Christ at the helm, my life would have
no meaning and my bones would’ve probably taken up residence with worms and
ants six feet beneath already, had I not found and accepted Christ when I did.
I could effortlessly list so many other aspects of
my upbringing that have shaped me for this present moment, especially where love (for
God, self and others), patience and faith were molded but I trust this
illustration is enough to stand in this simple encouragement: “EMBRACE YOUR NOW
and allow it to train you for your future as God sees fit. Further down the
road, you may look back and be totally appreciative of your training grounds
and the lessons drawn from there.” REMEMBER: No one is fully qualified for a
job unless training and tests are undertaken and deemed successful.
Stay encouraged; focused on God irrespective of
your situation. You are even closer to your breakthrough than you think. Press
On! (Philipians 3:14)
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