THE SHROUDED IN-BETWEENS

THE UNDERLYING PROCESS MATTERS MORE

All of us at one time or the other have been wrapped up in analyzing, appreciating and may be even covetously desiring another's success, acquisition or station. For some the focus on another's is deep and occurs way too frequent. Another extreme is when it consumes the individual and is out right lustful. Truth be told, few fail to realize that most of the success we appreciate today in others, especially genuine success, did not happen overnight.

Time and time again I have had cause to narrate my brief life story so far especially my early post graduation months to an aspiring young lad. And in such times as tell my tail of struggling to keep my wheels on the road and working solely alternate days or in my case, alternate nights up to when I literally was receiving several multiples of my initial paycheck in a space of about 6 months, I find myself really appreciating the Grand Architect who predestined my days for good and promised to bring it all to an expected end.

"For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope."Jer 29:11 NET. 

When sharing such historical accounts, my aim is to communicate that what one may see and cherish in and around me today, has not always been so and neither has it been constant either. But it's actually surprising (or is it really?) that we rarely do take the time to consider the perspective of our days gone by, of which we played the lead actor or actress, in our own sojourn on the earth. If only we would look at where we have come from, what we have been through and endured, how certain things were orchestrated and situations eventually turned out for our good, I believe we would be taking our first set of baby steps on the journey to the land of gratitude and peace, or at least a whole lot less anxiety. If you could in that moment as well, consider the lot of several (and in some cases many) around you who have not fared anywhere near to what you have achieved, I believe you too would marvel at what The Omnipresent, who is not only always present but is also present at all times, has done and is still doing in your life as well. He is already there in the days, weeks and months ahead, waiting for you and I to arrive in faith and behold what He has in store for us. He therefore can never be surprised and taken unawares by the circumstances and happenstances of life. We can and often are, but definitely not Him, never! This indeed is a strong reason to trust whole heartedly in God and His Word, both the promises and the warnings.  He is our one true anchor, keeping us steady when we would get ahead of ourselves, in pride during the highs or in depression during the shadow filled valleys of day to day existence.

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So the next time you look at someone else and the analyst in you (or worst still the covetous dark side) starts to kick in, remember these points; first and foremost what you see is the effect of time, effort and chance coupled with blood, sweat and tears. And secondly when you start asking "why not me?" recall to mind this eternal truth and comfort as a King's kid which is found in the book of Romans

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Rom 8:28 NLT

So fret less, live a life of gratitude and be patient for your own transformation (or miracle as we often say) is on the way.  I leave you with these words of life from the Greatest book

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.1 Timothy 6: 6-7…

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all". Proverbs 3: 5-7 (The Message)

Gratitude - to the Most High- for the often overlooked

Now I've been nominated to express my gratitude like twice publicly on Facebook. I'm not sure what it's all about but I'll share with you a brief chat I had the other day with a colleague who was about to eat and bowed his head, crossed his heart and dug into his meal. And I was like bro you ain't doing it right. I reminded him of the song we all sang years back in Sunday school, the some have food but cannot eat song... Yea you know the one. But I told him I thank God for much more than that. I thank God that in addition to being able to masticate and swallow, that there is even any food to eat in the first place. 

That somewhere the food was grown and no famine, drought, flood or locust invasion cleared what's now on my plate ( we all watch CNN abi). I thank Him that the food was prepared well and safe for consumption and not by some salmonella or E. Coli troubled fella. And equally I appreciate the fact I can actually taste and enjoy the food and even go for second helpings (u know me nah). If you've been sick recently you can readily relate with what I'm driving at. I pray the food does what it should for my body, And I never forget to thank Him for being able to provide same for my loved ones. 

Now that should take longer than a head nod and a flutter of the fingers abi. If I'm up to it I'll share my thanks after completing my routine commute on our incredible highways where anything can happen. 

EkenediliChukwu (Thanks be to God).

Then Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread...Luke 22:19GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)


I leave you with the question in the picture below, just think about it.

Depression Buster. I'm on His mind

Following some disconcerting news one evening, my mind began to play tricks on me. I tried to reflect and put together past worries and concerns, even the recent ones, but I really just couldn't. My dad once told me that that is how life is, ups and downs. But I knew then within me that The Almighty's grace, mercy and favor had been seeing me through in spite of my ups and downs. More importantly, I began to feel a much needed peace and was convinced that the worries and stressors of today will in some near future not matter as well.

So I said to my soul, rejoice and be glad for this too is a day that the Lord has made. Be glad in your loving heavenly Father! Instantly my countenance was lifted up and the invisible overhead dark clouds faded into oblivion.

In the twenty ninth book of Jeremiah we find a very powerful comfort in the eleventh verse.

I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering. (CEV)

The Bible in Basic English version renders the A part of that verse as

For I am conscious of my thoughts about you, says the Lord

Now that realization was definitely a depression buster for me, I hope it is for you as well.

So say to yourself when those dark clouds of doubt and uncertainty begin to gather,

"It will take more than that thought to defeat me. God is on my side. He is consciously thinking about me and my situation."

Remain blessed and not stressed.

Me first (of many I hope)

Well folks this is my intial foray into the world of blogging. Let's say it's my own attempt to drag (hopefully ab initio only) peeps into my thougts and world every now and then. Writer's apathy is always a fear all who intend to share their views encounter, I doubt I shall be exempt, but hey it's all about trying isn't it. I hope I do find the inspiration and time. No big words on this blog, nah nah, just plain old simple grammer with a slang or two as the the Spirit leads. So hope this beginning will someday be looked back upon as indeed a worthwhile move into the world of mass mentoring. So here I come, Uncle ze blogger. Let's go there..

"Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." Earl Nightingal