I Want it ALL!
I have been meditating a lot about wanting it all. Everything that God has promised me and has showed me his word. I have also been thinking on how to get this ‘ALL’ I so desire. That been said, I owe every success I have to date to HIM who made me and still enables me to prosper. However, some areas still need a breakthrough.
I was chatting with my husband and I wanted to get his own perspective on a complete and balanced life. I asked him if he thought that one person can really have it all, I mean, everything they really want and need on this planet earth. I asked him if he feels that there will always be something lacking?
I remember Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 verse 2, who passionately shared the scriptures, gave his all to serve the Lord, yet, he lived with an illness. Did he ask God to heal him? Yes! Was he healed? I am yet to come across that scripture but what I have read is that God left Paul with that illness, and yet the illness did not consume him. I am yet to have full understanding of Paul’s situation but it seems to me that Paul was still in service for God. The ‘thorn in his flesh’ did not limit his love for God. That is mind boggling.
My husband’s perspective is that something may always be lacking however it now depends on what is lacking. He goes on to say that, as long as it’s not a major lack, the process of ‘lack’ is designed for us (humans) to keep remembering God. His perspective left me feeling that we humans define what we call a ‘major’ lack and a ‘minor’ lack. A single and unmarried lady would see her situation of not having a husband a major lack while another lady may see it as a minor lack; A childless couple may see their situation as a major lack; a family with financial freedom and no peace/joy may see that as some degree of lack; An individual who happens to get into wrong relationships that burn may see that as an issue, hence a major lack. We individuals would define a lack based on what peer groups, culture, society, defines it as. Or do we define it by how we feel?
The grass is always greener on the other side, some would say. However the owner of the green grass puts a lot into ensuring that his grass seems greener. We all have various issues we are dealing with, however we need to appreciate what we have and not envy or covet others of what we think they have that we do not have.
My reflection on this article left me with one impression, and it is that God has pre-destined me for greatness; I have been blessed with ALL. I will come into it, eventually.
Do you have doubts where you are now and it seems where you need to be is far off? Be still and know him where you are, he will show you that he alone is GOD!
Is God MIA? (Missing in Action)
Where is your God?
One question that bothered the psalmist in Psalms 42:3 was “Where is thy God?” It can be very painful when the authority of God your lover is so challenged. You will want to do anything to defend Him even if it means doing so with your life. In 1 Samuel 17:23-26, in the battle between the Philistines and Israel, Goliath came out and boasted exceedingly and asked them, “Where is the God of Israel?”
For as many as had no intimate relationship with God, this threat, challenge and disgrace meant nothing to them. But then one day, one little boy who loved the Lord was there. Then he heard Goliath boast and he was mad. His love for God propelled him to dare this giant that was bringing shame on God and His people. That was how the reproach was taken away. It can be painful when you have a problem that is quite obvious and has persisted, especially when you know that your God is more than able to solve it. People will be asking, “Did you not say your God can do all things? Why has He not done yours?” Yes, it can be painful, but you must be prepared to love God to the extent of not minding what people are saying about your condition.
In Psalms 115:1-3, when the unbelievers where asking this psalmist: “Where is your God?” instead of being embarrassed or engaging in self-pity, he was not bothered. In fact, he began to make excuses for God because of his love for Him. He replied them: “Are you asking of my God because of this little problem? My God is still in Heaven. He is still on the throne and He cannot be dethroned.
If you must know, my God does whatever He pleases and is not accountable to anyone. Whether He does it or not, you cannot take Him to court. He knows the right time to solve this problem because your time and mine may not be His. Is it not for me? I am prepared to wait for His time; I am not in any hurry”
With that kind of answer, the mouths of the enemies will be stopped. How much do you love God? Do you make excuses for God over some delayed blessings? Prove your love for Him.
Source: Open Heavens Volume Twelve 2012 by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Art Credit: Bill Osborne.
Go on…No one is Looking.
I had been searching for a particular eye lash colour just to spice things up with my appearance and boy was I so thrilled to find the particular colour in the duty free section in an airport. Trying out the colour was so fulfilling I was thanking God for it so much and then requested for one to buy. To my disappointment, the store assistant sadly informed me that it was no more available. Seeing that I was really gutted and really wanted that eye colour, the assistant tried to get me to do something I never thought or imagined.
The assistant was so excited for me that she decided I could ‘take’ the eyelash colour tester for free. At first I wasn’t really connecting to her proposal. She said ‘Go on, take it. Put it in your bag quickly so that no one can see you or see me giving it to you otherwise I can get in trouble’. I am thinking, ‘Get into trouble? Is this lady for real’? She was so convincing. I then said to her ‘I am happy to pay for the tester as I can see you have 2 other testers on the counter and because I had been searching for this colour, I didn’t mind even paying for a tester that was even a bit used.
She persisted, telling me that she does it all the time for her friends and some clients, and handed me the tester eyelash colour. I stared at the lady, stared at the eyelash colour and stared at myself. I said ‘Anuli, so are you going to disappoint your Father for a simple, material, carnal desire of yours? This is stealing!!!! It doesn’t matter how nicely coated the shop assistant coated it for you, it is STEALING FULL STOP!
She was disappointed when I handed it back to her saying that I am not comfortable with her idea, and stepped away gently and politely from the counter and from her.
This reminded me of how Mrs Eve was strolling around the Garden of Eden and met Mr Serpent. ‘Go on, no one is looking’ is what he used to deceive Eve who caused a whole generation to come under a curse (Genesis 3:1-5, AMP). This is how many of us are blinded by the lust, greed or focus of what we so desire that the actual true picture of the action is cleverly hidden from us. Sin has a way of masking itself and being so delicious just like the apple in the Garden of Eden. Eat it and then you now ‘see’ clearly however by then, one has eaten into damnation.
I thank God and the Holy Spirit for filling my conscience. You may say it’s common sense, you should know it is wrong but I tell you, that assistant was too convincing and appealed to my conscience greatly, the grace enabled me make a better decision.
Mine maybe an eyelash colour temptation, yours maybe a lying tongue, an illicit attraction, a carnal desire, an attitude issue, a deceitful personality to name a few. Someone is looking. It may not be visible to you but trust me, it is more visible that you would know. It is all recorded for us to testify to on that day when we meet our maker.
If anyone tells you ‘Go on, no one is looking’ and encourages you to commit a sin, remember, if no one else is really looking, then they themselves are looking at you.
Art Credit: Bill Osborne