Yho! 2012 is just about done, and
what a whirlwind year it has been.
The majority of my blogs have
been a true reflection of the struggles I have faced this year. Whilst I haven’t
listed each problem individually, they have all worked together in stretching
the limits of my spiritual, emotional and mental capacities. Yes, as we say in
Shona “Ndakaona & ndichirikuona moto” ; translated "I saw and I’m still seeing flames".
The flames of the test as it were. The
one encouragement I have drawn on is what James writes in James 1: 2 – 4 “2 My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. 4 But let patience have its
perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (NKJV). I’ve experienced tremendous
lows this past year, mainly because I had the perspective and attitude that
surely things can’t get any worse; and surely this is not what life is meant to be; it can’t be this hard? Can it? And ofcourse when things have turned out for the worst on occassion i began to wonder "What happened to victory? Plain sailing? Happy
Days?"
Yesterday, I read a quote by
Joyce Meyer that said “Victory is not the
absence of problems; it’s the presence of God’s Power”. Such a simple truth. As I was mulling this
over, I realised that yeah, on the surface 2012 is probably one of those years
that I should file under “Years to Forget”; but in as much as I would like to
forget a lot of what this year has brought along my way, it has also been a
hallmark year, worthy of celebration. For the first time in my life I can truly
say, “Yes I believe in miracles” as I have witnessed God’s miraculous provision
- Financially, Spiritually, Emotionally etc at every turn. I can celebrate and say “Yes,
His word is alive” because I have come to know the experience of His word at
work in my life. I’ve come to learn that when I pray “Lord enlarge my territory”
He will stretch my boundaries so that I am able to accommodate more capacity. Whilst it will mean
some degree of “pain”, it will also usher in tremendous growth; and truthfully there is no
growth without pain.
I love Acts 17:26 – 28. God knew
that I would be exactly where I am in 2012. This job, in this company, in this
nation at this very time/season. He pre-appointed the boundaries of my
dwelling. He knew what I would be facing in every area of my life, and He made
the provision of Grace and wisdom for me to bear up in each circumstance,
situation so that as I testify; all glory would belong to Him. God is good!
As the year winds up, I am
grateful that 2012 has been all that it has been and then some! I am grateful
that I have seen some storms, as treacherous and challenging as some of them
have been. I am grateful that these storms have taught me to lift my eyes
heavenward (Psalm 121). I grateful that this season of testing is producing perseverance and patience
within me. It’s determining and fashioning my convictions. It is proving my
faith, proving my mettle. I am grateful that though at times I have sown in
tears, I know that the harvest of joy will surely come my way.
5 weeks left to go, and I know
that I was born for such a time as this! So, I’m going to settle into this
season in my life (even though i don't know how long it will be), because I know that “this too shall pass” because “ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment
of those things which were told her from the Lord.”(Luke 1:45)
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