My Walk Down The Aisle

 Have you ever wondered how you communicate with someone for a period of time and it seems like you know them already or like you've always known them?

Life they say is deeply spiritual, i recently met up with a longtime friend who i had never met in person before. I could call her friend because we are in the same community groups, we had a few mutual friends and colleagues and we sometimes prayed together and we were aware of each other's life defining moments like having children, moving to another country and so on...  

A few days before our meetup, i had messaged her that i looked forward to meeting her for the first time and she was surprised we had not met in person. Meeting her in person was even better, it didn't feel like i was meeting her for the first time, we talked like it was what we did normally everyday and that was when it struck me even more that though i had not met her physically, there was a deeper connection beyond just meeting physically. 

That was when the reality that when we get to heaven, we will know Jesus dawned on me. It's not going to be totally strange, its going to be familiar, an awareness of a Savior who has walked this life with you. You and I will recognize his voice, same voice that was present when everyone left or when you felt alone. John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" 

You and I will recognize his palm, same palm that was pierced for our iniquities, same palm that bears our names on it same palm that carried us through storms and comforted us.  John 20:20 "After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." 

You and I will recognize his eyes, same eyes that saw us when we thought no one could same eyes that see right through to our souls, Jehova El Roi! the one who sees us. 2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him". So when those words are said "‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."(Matthew 25:34), it will be the same voice you've heard over and over and you will know Him. 

" The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” - John 10: 3-5

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" - John10: 27

Yours in the walk. 

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. 

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.