It is not often that my birthday falls on a Monday, which is when I post a new piece on the Biblepraise Newsletter. This makes today a very special day for me.
I woke up this morning reflecting on the last 55 years of my life, at least the years I could remember. As I reflected on the past, tears flooded my eyes as memories kept flooding in. The tears were not out of sadness but rather of gratitude for the consistency of God’s faithfulness over my life. I remembered some thirty years ago dreaming of where I wanted to be and what I wanted to achieve in the future. Looking back now, I can testify that God has not only made my dreams come true but also went over and beyond my imagination.
There was a time in my life I couldn’t see much ahead of me. The future didn’t look too bright. I had no one to depend on and no one to lean on. What I had however, was a trust in God as my Father and closest friend. I learnt to trust Him one step at a time. I realised that even when I could not see far ahead, I could trust God to lead me. I wish I could say I followed him always but I didn’t. There were times I blundered in darkness because I didn’t trust him enough but in His mercy, He led me back to the light without judgement or condemnation. (Proverbs 3:5, Romans 8:1)
As I journeyed through life, there have been some Bible heroes who have inspired me. Joseph when he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery and how God blessed Potiphar’s house because of him. How he ended up in prison for a crime he did not commit and how that journey culminated in him becoming the Prime minister of Egypt. I thank God for my biological brothers, they were much better brothers than Joseph had but I know what it has felt like being betrayed by brothers in the faith. I have been at the receiving end of being accused for something I didn’t do but like Joseph, I had the opportunity of being vindicated and like Joseph having to forgive my accusers. (Genesis 50:20)
As I was writing this piece, I received a phone call from a University colleague and friend who called to wish me happy birthday. He mentioned how I have always been there as channel of encouragement, support and blessing to him and others. This set me thinking, “If this guy had known me some 25 years ago, would he have said the same things about me?” It became apparent to me that over the years, God has been shaping me through His Word, Spirit and circumstances into what people see today. I have not always been selfless or compassionate or kind. Everything good anyone sees in me today is because of the hand of God upon my life.
As I think about God’s goodness and mercies towards me over the years, I also remember the people He placed strategically at various points of my life’s journey and provided what I needed there and then to move me on to the next stage. If you have been that person, I am immensely grateful to you for making yourself available to God to be a channel of blessing, encouragement and support to me.
If you a reading this and you are in a situation and you are thinking, “Nothing much is happening in my life and I can’t see my way ahead”, let me encourage you that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) If He came through for me at a time when I had no one to rely on and no one to depend on, He will come through for you too.
