Spiritual

Tasted Years

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Often times the trajectory for our life’s goals seems to be offset by unplanned ‘life activities”, such s the dissolution of a marriage, losing a job, having a baby, losing a loved one, developing health issues, etc.  These breaks in our advancement often leave us in a state of contemplation, wondering whether or not we had made the right decision and how can we progress from where we find ourselves.  In the midst of reflecting despair set in as we feel like moving forward is impossible and the vision of progress has been shattered.  If we should muster the courage to take steps towards moving forward we are often faced with roadblocks which further reinforces our insecurities of how irrelevant we are.  Although these vulnerabilities are as thick as the Jericho wall we must never forget that these walls came tumbling down by the power of God.

As a believer, we should never allow ourselves to become utterly despaired as we serve a God that is all-powerful, One who keeps us as the apple of His eyes. No matter how bleak it seems if we continue to trust Him, He will show us just how relevant we are and always will be. The enemy’s plan is always to convince us of how many years have been wasted and how we can never recover all. However, with God, our years will never be wasted only tasted. With each year God allows us to gain valuable experiences,  expertise, and learning. He affords us the opportunity to become filled with wisdom even in our most trying and painful circumstances.  These experiences will certify us for our specific calling in the fulness of time and make us extremely relevant.  If you don’t believe me ask David, Moses, and Joseph. David spent most of his years out in the field attending to sheep which seemed irrelevant, but when the time was right he was appointed as king over a nation. Moses had to run away from all that he knew, he lost it all and was confined to the backside of the desert, but in the fullness of time, he was called to be the freedom leader of a nation.  Joseph, he too lost it all family, friends, etc,  and was sent to a strange land to perform strange task. He was also, thrown in prison for doing the right thing, but in the fullness of time, he was promoted to being second in command over a nation.  All of them thought that their life was going to be irrelevant but God proved that none of their experiences was ever going to be wasted only tasted.

The scripture says taste and see that the Lord is good. He is the One that will work all things together for our good as long as we love Him. Your years with God will never be wasted only tasted!

5/18/2018 dr. R. A.

Spiritual, success

Get out of the Boat

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Often as we journey from one side of the shore to the next we are faced with unexpected storms which threaten to destroy both the vessel in which we travel and our lives. This result in a heightening of our fears as everything around echoes doom and gloom. The fact that we are several miles from shore robs us of the opportunity to turn around. Our vision is impaired by the darkness of the night.  And we find ourselves struggling to stand as we battle the rough sea and headwind.  Notwithstanding, forging ahead is the only thing that makes sense, therefore, with a death grip, we grasp to the smither of hope to make it safely on the other side. In these moments we feel alone and the thought of being rescued is definitely aloof.

The disciples Matthew 14 felt the same way. They were instructed by Jesus to travel to the other side and on their journey encountered a gruesome storm in their night season. With their lives at risk, they clung to the boat hoping to make it to the other side; their minds and hearts are stuck in panic mode. In the midst of all that was happening, the saw Jesus coming towards them walking on water. Captivated with fear they screamed that it was a ghost. However, Jesus spoke to them encouraging them to not be afraid.  At that moment, one of His disciples did the unexpected. He asked to step out of the boat unto the water. With permission granted he stepped out.

The boat at that time represented the only thing that was safe. Nevertheless, Peter was willing to abandon safety to walk on water with Jesus. Are you willing to ditch your place of comfort so that you can defy even the laws of nature? You see nothing miraculously impossible will happen in the boat. To experience the impossible you must be willing to step out.  It is time to get out of the boat and begin to walk on water. It is time to experience results from everything that you and others have labeled impossible. It is time to experience the change that you have been hoping for. Success is waiting for you to step out. GET OUT OF THE BOAT!

Dr. R.A. 5/8/18