Some people can become so hooked to the familiar, so addicted to their background that they would rather hear the sugar-coated curses of their village people than have an open conversation with their future - their new normal.
God declared in Genesis that a man will leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This is the Master's design. It is the best model for successful marriage. This however does not make it easy to do.
Is it really hard to follow God's path?
Yes. And no. It is hard at the beginning. Jesus said that the path to paradise is narrow and is found by few people. He pretty much said that doing his will was like carrying a burden or wearing a yoke. So it is hard: somewhat. Jesus cleared this up by saying that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
So how and why is it hard to follow God's design? Well, firstly because we're coming out from the world. In the world, we had a way of 'doing life' (Romans 12:2) but Jesus calls us to live differently.
Without physically leaving our old 'world' behind, we are asked to start living a new life. Hence Jesus said you are in the world but you are no longer of it. The old way of doing life will surround you as you try to live the new way.
So there will be a contest or conflict for your attention. Jesus says we should not toy with this. He said we have to choose a master and stick with him. Paul said the same thing.
In life and in marriage, we have to decide whose program, whose instructions we will adopt: the familiar, old way of life or the new way of life.
Everyday, in the face of the voice of the past, we as believers have to decide to live life God's way.
May we enjoy the benefits of hearing and obeying God's voice everyday.
If you liked this article please let me know (post a comment below) and if you think a friend would like it, share it with them. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Past the finish line
It's 11:14am and I'm tired.
God is still faithful. It's been an interesting few days.
Lessons learned:
Stay positive. You can't afford to get bogged down with negative facts. Apparently there are a number of Nigerians right now who are very afraid of what the future holds for the country. As believers we don't disregard our physical environment but we're not ruled by it.
Stay objective:
This is one that keeps me busy. In writing this blog piece I've had to edit my sentences a few times. In the paragraph above I initially wrote 'there are many Nigerians'. I changed it to 'there are quite a number of Nigerians', then finally 'there are a number of Nigerians'. 😂 God help me.
While you're yet to become awesome, please be consistent. I've made the error of letting up on some contacts recently and lost time on those deals. On the farm/gardening project, I've benefitted from going down regularly and staying in the greenhouse just a little longer... I see tasks to add to the work schedule, etc.
There's something about timing
Flow with the times. There are seasons of high activity and seasons of calm. Don't fight the waves, ride them. Learn to rest when there's a pause in the sequence of activities you planned. I've received a lot of refreshing by totally turning off all my devices during some of these rest periods. For a heavy device user, I know it helps.
Another side to timing is that you have to be patient. I've followed up contacts to exasperation - and it strains the relationship. Let people breathe. Also don't frustrate yourself by trying to rush God.
I'm in a season where I'm manufacturing my own happiness. I've had the privilege of having key people (who I thought were obliged or covenanted to treat me right) properly let me down or shut me out, so it's a beautiful training ground. I'm learning to stop making gods out of men.
Please note that in some of these relationships, I am the one who failed on my promises, triggering a shut down. Nonetheless, the lesson is gained and life is better.
Please work on your key relationships - don't expect what you haven't invested, and don't make gods out of mere men.
About the finish line:
Finish something everyday. PLEASE. You'll be glad you did. I struggle with trying to make everything perfect - such that I never finish anything. I catch myself saying "you need to move forward, fast". This enforces a sense of never attaining (anything), always being in motion, but never arriving. It's terrible. I'm done with it.
I've finished this post - it's rich, informative and (hopefully) typo-free. Please flag any typos you see. Thanks!
If you liked this article please let me know (post a comment below) and if you think a friend would like it, share it with them. Thanks for reading.
God is still faithful. It's been an interesting few days.
Lessons learned:
Stay positive. You can't afford to get bogged down with negative facts. Apparently there are a number of Nigerians right now who are very afraid of what the future holds for the country. As believers we don't disregard our physical environment but we're not ruled by it.
Stay objective:
This is one that keeps me busy. In writing this blog piece I've had to edit my sentences a few times. In the paragraph above I initially wrote 'there are many Nigerians'. I changed it to 'there are quite a number of Nigerians', then finally 'there are a number of Nigerians'. 😂 God help me.
While you're yet to become awesome, please be consistent. I've made the error of letting up on some contacts recently and lost time on those deals. On the farm/gardening project, I've benefitted from going down regularly and staying in the greenhouse just a little longer... I see tasks to add to the work schedule, etc.
There's something about timing
Flow with the times. There are seasons of high activity and seasons of calm. Don't fight the waves, ride them. Learn to rest when there's a pause in the sequence of activities you planned. I've received a lot of refreshing by totally turning off all my devices during some of these rest periods. For a heavy device user, I know it helps.
Another side to timing is that you have to be patient. I've followed up contacts to exasperation - and it strains the relationship. Let people breathe. Also don't frustrate yourself by trying to rush God.
I'm in a season where I'm manufacturing my own happiness. I've had the privilege of having key people (who I thought were obliged or covenanted to treat me right) properly let me down or shut me out, so it's a beautiful training ground. I'm learning to stop making gods out of men.
Please note that in some of these relationships, I am the one who failed on my promises, triggering a shut down. Nonetheless, the lesson is gained and life is better.
Please work on your key relationships - don't expect what you haven't invested, and don't make gods out of mere men.
About the finish line:
Finish something everyday. PLEASE. You'll be glad you did. I struggle with trying to make everything perfect - such that I never finish anything. I catch myself saying "you need to move forward, fast". This enforces a sense of never attaining (anything), always being in motion, but never arriving. It's terrible. I'm done with it.
I've finished this post - it's rich, informative and (hopefully) typo-free. Please flag any typos you see. Thanks!
If you liked this article please let me know (post a comment below) and if you think a friend would like it, share it with them. Thanks for reading.
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