Welcome to the January 22nd edition of Faith & Life Lessons.
You will see this email full of tidbits from my week. My goal is simple. I hope that from how I live my life, you can find a thing or two that helps you as you try to live a life that matters. I am always trying to do one thing - make Christ-focused decisions in love, work, and life. And this was my week.
Like this?
Pay it forward by sharing it with someone that could benefit from it. They will thank you for it.
The Story of My Week
I did a 5-day fast this week.
I needed to gain some clarity for this new season of life.
Ahead of it, I spent some time with John Eldredge and the guys at the Wild at Heart podcast. One of the things that they reminded me of was the practice of the twin spiritual discipline of Solitude and Silence.
Not that I didn't practice them before.
I just rediscovered practising them more often.
Daily.
Yes, throughout the fast and after, I spent time practising solitude and silence.
The beauty of this is that they opened me to hear more from God.
I heard God for the season and for the day I was in.
And it's a practice I want to continue.
Everyday.
It restores my soul and gives me clarity for the day I am living in.
A better way to live.
Things I Learnt
1 - The Truth in our Language: Someone was telling me about a couple who had just been baptised. The story behind their baptism is that they had professed Christ for a couple of years. They attended a church in a language they understood.
But a funny thing happened recently.
They got the opportunity of meeting a missionary who spoke the language of their birth.
According to them, hearing the gospel in the language of their birth opened new vistas of understanding for them.
They said they came into a deeper understanding of the faith they professed.
It was this understanding that brought them to the rivers of baptism.
The whole story reminds me of why we must continue to support missionaries who devote themselves to learning new languages so that the gospel can be presented in the language that people are comfortable with.
It's an honour to partner with God to do this when we do it.
2 - When You are Solving the Wrong Problem: During the week, I had a teaching moment with God.
I had an issue at work for which I couldn't find an immediate solution.
When I get into situations like that, I don't overwhelm myself with the emotions of the impact the lack of an immediate solution may cause.
I focus my attention on new options.
Well, that was not getting me anywhere.
It was then I got my teaching moment.
God told me I was solving the symptom and not the problem.
The main problem would require supernatural intervention. The symptom was more in my alley - but I didn't have an immediate solution.
God wanted me to pray to Him about the main problem.
And as things would turn out, before the end of the week, a member of my team came up with a brilliant strategy to solve the symptom.
Both the problem and symptom were solved not by me - God solved the problem and another team member solved the symptom.
So, what did I do in the whole thing?
I took the main problem to God and I showed up as an ally to the staff.
Doing my part - even if I am not the one that moves the needle.
Postscript
May you play the active role you need to play in solving the challenges that God has equipped you for. May you not run when you should stand and fight. Amen
Like this? Pay it forward by sharing it with your friends.
Was this forwarded to you? Sign up so you don't miss any edition. Click here
Tola - The Everyday Disciple
I help Christians like you who want to live intentional lives incorporate their faith into everyday life so they can make Christ focused decisions in all areas of life and truly live to make an impact and make God happy.
0 comments