I was invited to talk to young singles at a conference about how they can avoid divorce in their future. I was extremely skeptical about sharing my story for a couple of reasons – one was because I am extremely private and was unsure whether I wanted to put all my business out there and two - divorce is not a thing of pride. However, I believed in my heart that by telling people what happened to me, I could help them avoid the same fate. I understand that when you come out of any tough trial, you ought to reach out and help others. It was my first real speaking engagement. I had spoken to small groups before but nothing like 30 or so people staring back at me. As I talked about the self-inflicted wounds that they might want to look out for before they get married to reduce the risk of divorce in their marriage relationships, I became strangely aware that their expectations were not exactly met.
Young people want to hear about dating and romance. They want to be told that relationships lead to engagement then to happily ever after unions but we all know that life does not quite work out that way. To be successful at marriage, preparation is crucial. Singles looking to get married must clean house and lose any emotional baggage they are carrying. Many women walk in to marriage with six to seven layers of men on them, on the other hand, young men are looking for a mother rather than a wife. Disobedience, arrogance, denial and rebellion must be brought under total subjection. Fellowship with God must be of utmost priority in the life of every believer – even when you are young, single and looking for a life partner.
I don’t think I connected with them. What I was saying seemed too “adult” for them to comprehend. I pray that they understand it before they step into marriage. I wish I had done the same.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Infirmed Woman
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. – Luke 13: 10-13
Most of us have been hurt by what someone did to us or what we have done to ourselves. Some objects of pain and stress never go away – they keep showing up like a bad resurrection. We are tired and worn out. We go about life “bent” over. We may be standing up straight on the outside but we are bent over and crippled on the inside. By all outward indications we are fine but deep down, we are broken. Some of us are angry because we feel we have been victimized. We look around for something or someone to blame and sometimes unconsciously we use others around as a narcotic to numb our painful feelings.
The infirmed woman had probably used all types of DIY remedies in an effort to stand up straight but nothing had worked. She probably took her ailment out on people around her unintentionally. But healing will never come if we do not stop looking outwards for a healer. Here's this woman, with a big problem given an opportunity to meet the Great Physician. Only Almighty God can heal the broken and infirmed – no-one else can.
I count myself lucky to be connected to the Healer. I am an example of an infirmed woman but God keeps showing up and healing me. The fiery darts of the enemy has not stopped; as soon as I raise my end and stand up straight, they show up again trying to break me. But I have a God that I can call on and I always rush to the Throne of Grace as soon as the firing begins to gain shelter and obtain deliverance.
The same Jesus who shows up for me all the time can also show up for you but first, you must surrender you life to Him. Are you tired of being bent over?
Most of us have been hurt by what someone did to us or what we have done to ourselves. Some objects of pain and stress never go away – they keep showing up like a bad resurrection. We are tired and worn out. We go about life “bent” over. We may be standing up straight on the outside but we are bent over and crippled on the inside. By all outward indications we are fine but deep down, we are broken. Some of us are angry because we feel we have been victimized. We look around for something or someone to blame and sometimes unconsciously we use others around as a narcotic to numb our painful feelings.
The infirmed woman had probably used all types of DIY remedies in an effort to stand up straight but nothing had worked. She probably took her ailment out on people around her unintentionally. But healing will never come if we do not stop looking outwards for a healer. Here's this woman, with a big problem given an opportunity to meet the Great Physician. Only Almighty God can heal the broken and infirmed – no-one else can.
I count myself lucky to be connected to the Healer. I am an example of an infirmed woman but God keeps showing up and healing me. The fiery darts of the enemy has not stopped; as soon as I raise my end and stand up straight, they show up again trying to break me. But I have a God that I can call on and I always rush to the Throne of Grace as soon as the firing begins to gain shelter and obtain deliverance.
The same Jesus who shows up for me all the time can also show up for you but first, you must surrender you life to Him. Are you tired of being bent over?
Friday, September 3, 2010
Keep on Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,
“He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. – Hebrews 10:35-39
I have been silent for a long time now. My life has been filled with many challenges, changes and choices. Things have been difficult but through it all, I chose to hold onto the one thing that is constant and never changes – Almighty God. No-one is happy all the time; unless they are crazy! We all have our ups and downs. Anyone can have faith when things are going well but let’s face it – how do you hold on to faith when everything around you is falling apart.
I moved across the Atlantic to escape all the things that troubled and plagued my mind only to realize that you can never truly run away from yourself. I have since learnt that God is everywhere I am because He lives in me and works through me. No matter where I go and what happens, God will always be with me. In the last eighteen months, I have changed jobs, lost my home and lost one of the most important people in the world to me – my mother.
I am beginning to find my way now. My faith continues to give me the power and the strength to keep pressing forward. We all love and we all lose at some point; who am I to believe that my case will be different? What have I learnt in the past year and half? Hold on to the people you love. Take the few extra minutes a day to tell them how much they mean to you, don’t hold back. Take every disappointment in your stride and never give up. The Bible reminds us that ‘this too shall pass’. Challenges will come and they will go. Whatever doesn’t kill you will definitely make you stronger.
Never lose confidence in who you are and what you have accomplished. Troubles have a way of making us feel smaller than the giants we have been created to be. Know who you are and whose you are. No matter what comes your way, keep on fighting and never lose your conviction or give in. You will surely outlive the obstacles in your way.
“He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. – Hebrews 10:35-39
I have been silent for a long time now. My life has been filled with many challenges, changes and choices. Things have been difficult but through it all, I chose to hold onto the one thing that is constant and never changes – Almighty God. No-one is happy all the time; unless they are crazy! We all have our ups and downs. Anyone can have faith when things are going well but let’s face it – how do you hold on to faith when everything around you is falling apart.
I moved across the Atlantic to escape all the things that troubled and plagued my mind only to realize that you can never truly run away from yourself. I have since learnt that God is everywhere I am because He lives in me and works through me. No matter where I go and what happens, God will always be with me. In the last eighteen months, I have changed jobs, lost my home and lost one of the most important people in the world to me – my mother.
I am beginning to find my way now. My faith continues to give me the power and the strength to keep pressing forward. We all love and we all lose at some point; who am I to believe that my case will be different? What have I learnt in the past year and half? Hold on to the people you love. Take the few extra minutes a day to tell them how much they mean to you, don’t hold back. Take every disappointment in your stride and never give up. The Bible reminds us that ‘this too shall pass’. Challenges will come and they will go. Whatever doesn’t kill you will definitely make you stronger.
Never lose confidence in who you are and what you have accomplished. Troubles have a way of making us feel smaller than the giants we have been created to be. Know who you are and whose you are. No matter what comes your way, keep on fighting and never lose your conviction or give in. You will surely outlive the obstacles in your way.
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