It was a bumpy ride in the jungle as we drove through untarred roads in the van. I and a couple of my closest friends had taken time out to reflect, rejuvenate, explore and connect and part of the experience was a nature ride in the Safari. Nothing prepared us for the ride, though fun with lots of beautiful views, we experienced lots of bumps and turns along the way. Isn't that how life plays out itself for us most times? You plan for a fun ride and lo and behold, you encounter lots of hiccups and bumps on the way... Life...
The area had a couple of rain storms earlier in the week, this added in a lot of muddy slippery slopes on our nature ride. As our driver expertly navigated the bumps and muddy puddles but we were unexpected navigated into a muddy pit and got stuck in the mud.
Attempts to get out proved futile, as the driver exerted more gas on the engine, the van gave a loud roar with tires just rolling and van absolutely stuck, kicking muddy pebbles up in the air. Isn't that how life is sometimes? You keep making efforts to advance or get out of a mess but all attempts just seem like rolling tires with loud roars and no movement... Life...
As the driver made several attempts which proved abortive, my friends and I sat in the car waiting for the next steps, we started taking in some important lessons from this amazing adventure:
Bumpy rides and muddy puddles are all part of the journey, you just have to ensure you have an expert by the wheels and the only expert driver that can help navigate you through those bumpy rides and muddy puddles is Jesus.
When you feel stuck, reach out for help. A lot of times, it's clear that we need help out of life's muddy puddles but we continue to exert more time and energy which usually leads to rolling tires, loud noises but no movement. The driver had to reach out for help from another driver who used a lever on his van to help pull our van out of the muddy puddles. And in no time, we were back on the road again.
What situation do you find yourself in and it feels like you are stuck in a mud ? There will be people that God will bring your way to help direct and guide you, listen and be humble to receive the help you need.
Never walk alone. Have you seen animals walking in packs, so that they don't fall prey to the enemy? We noticed on the safari ride that the vans went in packs, that way you wont spend hours wandering alone in the jungle. Moving in packs helped them map out the best experiences for their customers.
Do you feel alone in certain aspects of your life? We are not designed to do life alone, find the right community that is headed in the same direction you are going, nurture beautiful relationships and grow in meaningful community.Psalm 40:1-3-
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Pray with me:
"Dear Lord, I lift this situation (Insert situation: career, business, family etc.) where i seem to be stuck, there is nothing impossible for you father, so lead me in your truth, shed light on my path and let your wisdom lead me out of this miry clay and set my feet on the solid rock. Thank you for answering when i call, in Jesus name. Amen."
Yours in the walk...
I am always amazed and intrigued by the newness that comes with spring. the budding of life from something that seemed dead, the sounds of the birds singing, the budding and blooming of flowers and oh the burst of beautiful colors!
Reminds me a lot of the life giving power of the resurrection. When something so dead and with no hope, receives life eternal and hope. When Christ's death and resurrection gives abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven!
No wonder Easter aligns with Springtime right?! A reminder that after a brutal winter comes spring, a reminder that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, a reminder that joy comes in morning, a reminder of God's eternal and abundant life!
Will you embrace God's lifegiving newness today? John 3:16- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Say a prayer with me: " Dear God, thank you for loving me so much and giving your one and only son to die for my sins. Today, i receive the gift of abundant and eternal life, help me to live fully for you, in Jesus name. Amen.
Yours in the walk.
Oh Wounded soldier, Rise!
From the ashes and the pain,.
Rise, from the punches and the hurt.
Though struck down, but not destroyed, never give up the fight.
Oh Wounded soldier, Rise!
From the hurt that pierces through the soul.
Rise, from the tides and the billows.
Though wounded, the lover of your soul still heals.
Oh Wounded soldier, Rise!
From the burns and scars that peals the flesh.
Rise, and see that you are not alone in the fire.
Though in the fire, your robes will not be scorched and you remain unscathed in the hands of Abba.
Oh Wounded soldier, Rise!
Can you see the host of angels surrounding you?
Can you smell the air of a new day dawning?
Can you hear the sound of victory?
Rise, for the battle is won!
Oh Wounded soldier, Rise!
Those Scars have made you a warrior.
Pick up your shield and defend others in the fight.
Though healed, you still remain a warrior in battle.
Yours in the walk.
As 2023 wraps up, I am reminded of when I was on cheerleading duty as my husband ran his first marathon. To get situated I got a good spot close to the finish line as I waited to watch him finish his race. He had called shortly before he started his race to say “see you at the finish line”, words I remembered as I struggled to find my way there because I didn’t want him to get to the finish line and not find me there cheering him on.
As I waited at the finish line, there was a crowd of witness cheering the racers on and you just have to naturally cheer others on too as so many other families and friends cheered others on and their voices got louder when they see their runner. This scene reminds me of the scripture “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
Hebrews 12:1
The awareness of the cloud of witness also encourages you to run with perseverance the race that is marked out. Speaking to some of the runners, and hearing how encouraging it was to hear the crowd cheering them on or reading messages on placards like “You can do this” helped propel the energy to keep going. I remember seeing a runner who heard his friends and family call out his name from the crowd, just started crying but kept running. I couldn’t help my tears too.
The crowd smiled and cried while cheering and this is a confirmation that the crowd is also well vested in the race. Either they had run before or had someone running, they were there because they are vested one way or the other. Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin".
So it is with the cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12. There’s a cloud of witnesses rooting for you as you run your race, feeling all the emotions too and cheering you on, with the One who gave His life for you as the greatest cheerleader of all times. Be encouraged and run, you will finish well.
Scriptures for further study - Psalm 65:11: "You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance"
- Psalm 16: 9-11: "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Yours in the Walk.
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