By a very dedicated courageous anonymous young African pastor.
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear.
Amen. Amen. And amen 
(italics are mine).
The plight that we read in Job can happen to us at different seasons in our life.
An unresolved sickness. A dashed dream. A broken heart. A loss too great to bear.
Job, a righteous man is tested. He loses his children, possessions and his health. Three friends give counsel, but add more misery to his brokenness. Even his wife asks him to curse God and die.
Amidst all the anger, strife and disappointment, the book of Job express the suffering all believers need to understand and endure. It is not the suffering but rather what is revealed through suffering.
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For 37 chapters, God says nothing to Job.
You wake up one morning and all your spiritual feelings are gone. You pray, but nothing happens. You rebuke the devil, still nothing changes. You confess every sin you can imagine, then go around asking forgiveness from everyone you know. You fast and still… nothing. You begin to wonder how long this spiritual gloom might last? Days? Weeks? Months?
How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and He is silent? How do you even talk to God when He doesn’t seem to listen?
How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they are filled with tears?
David cried out “Why , O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalms 10:1) Isaiah acknowledges that “…truly you are a God who hides himself…” (Isaiah 45:15 ). You are not the only one to feel such loneliness. Will you respond like Job or that of the great hymnist Horatio G. Spafford when he wrote:
Whatever my lot, you have taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
May I suggest something today:
…stop and consider God’s wonder. (Job 37:14b )
Each time we look away from God, we look away from promises and abundant life. When you forget the awesomeness of our God you discredit Him and all the works He has done in your life.
When God finally speaks, all He does is shout of His greatness!
“ Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?” (Chap 39: 18 )
“ Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons?..” (Chap 39:32 )
“ Do you know the laws of the heavens?” (Chap 39:33 )
He was really saying. I can. I am a God who does great and wonderous things!
Would you consider God’s wonder today? That was all that Job needed to hear.
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There is a need for testing and maturity of our fellowship with God. Every believer goes through it, some more than others. We can give in to it. Or we can be like Job and endure it. Yes! It is painful and disheartening, but it is absolutely vital for the development of your faith.
God promises repeatedly. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (John 4:23)
God never promised “you will always feel my presence” all the time.
Ref: Disappointment With God, Horatio G. Spafford’s It Is Well With My Soul, Brenton Brown’s Well With My Soul
AAY ~ Meditations of an Art Director
If you have not read the Book of Esther, I suggest you consider reading it! It’s a wonderful story of grace, courage and wisdom.
The story began when King Xerxes decided to replace Queen Vashti. And so the first Miss Universe was held and fair ladies were chosen to be a part of this. After a year of preparation, these ladies were to be presented to the King and the fairest would be chosen to be Queen.
Esther was among them. She was a slave girl, exiled from her land. An orphan, she was brought up by Mordecai, her nephew. The Persians gave her the name Esther which meant stara (star) or Ishtar (Babylonian goddess of love and fertility).
She was the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom. In the courts, the officers favored her and gave her special attention. The King chose her above the other women and made her Queen. As queen, she saved her husband from assassination and gave all credit to Mordecai.
Later, Haman, an official of the king planned to kill Mordecai and gave an order for all Jews to be killed. Esther entered the Kings courts without being summoned which would normally result in death. She pleaded with the King to spare her people and through her actions a nation was saved. Judgment fell on evil Haman and Mordecai was promoted to 2nd in command.
Esther’s beauty went far beyond skin deep.
Esther was a person of character.
She may have been quite a sight to behold. She was a supermodel but never once was it mentioned that she used her beauty in exchange for favors. She was possibly modest and humble, and full of poise even as a slave girl. She was a rare find! (Chap 2:17)
Esther was accountable.
She had Mordecai’s leadership over her life. She shared and opened her life to scrutiny and listened to advice not to reveal her Hebrew identity. Even after she became queen she was teachable and heeded the counsel of Mordecai. (Chap 2:10-11)
Esther was a protector.
She may not have had a godly husband but cared for his wellbeing. When her family was threatened she protected them. She was a good wife and she affirmed her husband’s place as the head of the household. ( Chap 5:22)
Esther was prayerful.
Though there was a sense of urgency to do something, Esther waited. During trying circumstances, Esther prayed. She encouraged her people to pray as well. She depended on God’s grace and mercy despite what may seem like a dead end. ( Chap 5:16a)
Esther was selfless.
She was willing to give up her life for a greater cause than herself and had the courage to die so that her people may live. She had everything to lose. A bright career, a good life, riches and power yet, willingly sacrificed it. ( Chap 5:16b)
Esther had foresight.
She was wise and was not rash in her actions. She was patient and correct timing was her recipe for success. ( Chap 7:3-6)
Esther is possibly every girl’s role model and every guy’s dream girl.
True beauty! He makes everything beautiful in His time…
AAY ~ Meditations of an Art Director
Filed under: Food for the Soul
Written on 06 December 2007
Stand steadfast. Though the arrows come and hit us hard.
Stand steadfast. Though troubles come and bound us weak.
Stand steadfast. When circumstances bring us to our knees.
Stand steadfast. When everything is taken from us and we are left with nothing.
Stand steadfast. Stand strong.
Lord make me a mighty warrior today.
I put on the whole armor of God that I may stand firm and steadfast against the enemy. I put on the belt of truth. For it tells me who I am in Christ Jesus. I am an overcomer and a Child of God. Satan’s lies has no hold on me. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, for it protects my heart. It keeps me pure and blameless and guards my heart from discouragement and straying.
I wear the shoes of the gospel of peace so I can go the distance and win the lost. You will take me through rough places, I know, but testimonies will arise from there because of your goodness and grace. You give peace to endure it.
I put on the helmet of salvation that guards my mind. So I can make discerning choices that reflect the mind of Christ. Wise choices not swayed by emotion or the crowd but the very word of God.
I put on the shield of faith that protects me when faithlessness arise. May I defend my faith well and mature to be a man found steadfast in Your ways. With the sword of the Spirit I will do battle for You. May I live with such passion and perseverance so that anyone who enquires will be led to You.
Equip me today for Your use. Help me to stand firm and be counted for when the time of battle comes.
My commander and chief, lead me on.
Ref: Ephesians 6:10-18
AAY ~ Meditations of an Art Director
I was looking at the cars queuing up the other day at every petrol kiosk and I thought to myself – there sure are a lot of very anxious people out there! I’m sure those who were in line wanted to save some money this time and pump in their last RM1.92 per litre. The prices will go up again. And we will get used to it in due time, I suppose…
What’s interesting was the past months I have been researching on some cars. I suppose it’s wishful thinking and I allowed myself to dream of the possible of owning a new set of wheels. My wish list came down to these two cars: a Honda Wish and a Mitsubishi Triton. One’s a family car that can fit the world in it. The other’s a toughie that can explore the world.
And as I reflected on the increase in fuel prices, God reassured me – Don’t worry about what you’re gonna get. It’s okay to dream big even when fuel gets more expensive. In fact, keep believing for something bigger and better!
It was then that I realize that, the big issue here is not the Wish or the Triton.. nor is it the hike in fuel prices but the engine that’s guzzling the petrol. You see, people are worried about the fuel prices and give so much precedence to it that they forget that it is the condition of the engine that really determines how much you spend for fuel.
Consider this: If Jesus is the costly fuel that we must have, we are like the engines that take it in!
In our service to Him, we grow through circumstances. We pay a price for serving Him and it can be very costly! Every experience with God is precious and cost us something. Ask the new believer who decides to leave her non-christian boyfriend of 5 years. Or the executive who declines a handsome job offer so he can serve in church on weekends. How about the retired doctor that God asks to go to Uzbekistan to provide medical aid.
So how’s your engine today?
Have you maintained it well? Is it running efficiently or is it coughing out crap? When was the last time you popped the hood to check for it’s well being. Are you waiting to service it in three months when it’s due for service or when your engine suddenly goes “kaput” on you? Somehow, we never consider maintaining it every day until something terrible happens! The engine will take everything you give it. Leaded or Unleaded. So feed it only what it needs! Don’t try to put in Diesel or NGV or it will stop working. Duh!
Maintain your engine, check for faulty parts frequently and replace them immediately, and your engine will go the distance, I can promise you that! Once you’ve got that covered, no matter how costly fuel gets, things will be fine. No matter what the situation in your life may be, you’ll be able to take it in and be effective still.
PS. I sent my 13 year old Iswara to the mechanics for a check up over the weekend and they told me that she’s working fine. She’s an old horse, but she gets the job done
AAY ~ Meditations of an Art Director
