He is intentional

One thing I have really learned the past year and a half, is that NOTHING in my life is haphazard. Why? Because I believe that GOD IS INTENTIONAL.

I didn't discern it in the moment, but looking back over my life and especially the passed months; I see the different times in which God carried me or went ahead and paved the way. I would like to share one such situation with you. 

I got my current job when I wasn't looking for one. 

When I graduated last year, I wasn't so keen on starting to work full time. In fact, the only job I was looking forward to ,was my summer job as an activity leader at a language summer school. I had worked there the previous year in the English department and I absolutely loved it. However, this time I was going to work in the Dutch department although I had applied for the English one. When the company organizing the summer language school offered me the possibility to work for the Dutch department, I was very hesitant as Dutch is my second language and I wasn't sure if I could manage to converse 24/7 in it. Normally, the company only hired native speakers for their different language departments; so this was an exception for them also. I accepted their offer and on  the 31st July 2017, I started my first day as a Dutch department activity leader. 

For four weeks, I was immersed in Dutch and eventually I improved in it myself. It was during those 4 weeks that I applied for my current job. One day, I was on LinkedIn and randomly liked a job vacancy post by a recruiter. After I liked her post, she messaged me privately and asked if I was interested in applying for the job since it fitted my profile. So I applied. A few days later, I had a telephone interview with her in Dutch; and sometime later, a formal interview with the hiring manager also in Dutch. Both interviews went smoothly and I spoke with such ease and confidence. Sometime later, I got the news that I was hired and after signing my contract, I started work on the 31st August 2017. 

So where is God's intentionality in this situation?

For one, I believe God opened the opportunity for me to work in the Dutch department so that I could be more prepared for my job application. My Dutch was good enough before the summer school; but if I didn't use it by being placed in the English department, it would have deteriorated in those weeks just like any second language that isn't used often. Indeed, I wasn't at the summer school only to improve my Dutch for my application; God's intentionality showed itself in many other ways but this is one that really stuck for me. 

Further, I see how God is using Dutch to prepare me to learn German; which will soon become one of my main languages of communication. He is also using my current job to get me in the workforce in Germany by giving me the opportunity to apply for a job in Germany within the company. 

So, all I am saying is that nothing is in vain. I remember being frustrated about not getting the opportunity to work for the English department; but looking back I see that it wasn't for nothing that I got the Dutch department offer instead. 

I'm sure that you too can look back on your life and see His hand guiding and leading you. 

Be confident, dear reader, that no matter what you face; He knows and He's in control. I know I shared something positive, but even in the difficulties He is able and He wastes nothing. I have a testimony coming up about God's intentionality also in difficult times. He is the God of the hills and valleys. 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21

Check out this beautiful song by Travis Green: Intentional

Blessings,

Twisile x

Resolutions: changing for the better

Hello there!😊


My purpose for this blog is deeply rooted in my previous post (click on the link if you haven't read it: 2016: Reflections & Resolutions), in which I mentioned the importance writing down a resolutions list and reviewing it regularly. I also mentioned a lesson I learned last year, that lasting change begins, continues and ends with the Holy Spirit.

 I have already started working on my resolution list, and it's already pretty long although it's not done..and that's kind of scary BUT the good thing is that most of the points are interconnected, so we'll just call it detailed instead of long 😉.  And these past days, God has been pointing out things to me that need to change...things that I didn't consider when I started writing. God wants me to change for the better and He is initiating that change, and that perfectly aligns with what I wrote about lasting change. The things that He has been pointing out are so deep and definitely something that needs to be worked on before I find myself in worse situations. I see that God is giving me another chance or a grace period and I am so thankful for it. I see them as "God's resolution list" for me and I'll be sharing them in the coming posts.

So this whole, "God's resolution list" kind of shocked me and I was wondering if it's Biblical and it actually is. Let me explain. I was reminded of these verses from Psalm 139.

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; 

Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life.

God knows us our hearts through and through. He knows everything about us. He can examine our lives and point out things that are wrong in our lives and He can lead us on the road to right road. 

So as good as it is to write lists from our view, we have an incomplete view of ourselves. Therefore, I encourage you to ask God to point out areas as you write your list. Some of you may be thinking that it's too far into the new year to write or to be talking about resolutions or even to make them. But let me remind you that we have 340 days left of the year, and January isn't over yet!😁 It's never too late to want to change for the better, and we don't have to wait for a new year to make resolutions. Everyday is an opportunity to do better. And last but not least, let us ask God to guide us so that we can live out the resolutions that we have.

Blessings 💜

This Year #2016

The count down is over, the anticipation has ended. 2016 is here!

 And day 1 is almost gone. All I can say is that time flies. It waits for no one and is controlled by the Almighty God Himself.

2015 was quite a year for me, a lot of things happened, things that broke me and others that built me. Things that made me laugh with joy and others that made me ache with pain. But through it all God was faithful and continues to be. When I entered 2015 last year, it was a new year full of hope and expectations and some fear. I didn't know what lay ahead days,weeks or months from that very first day.

And here I am again. The first day of 2016, still not knowing what lies ahead but hoping and trusting in God that whatever comes, all I need is Him by my side. The only way I will be able to face anything that comes, be it victories or defeats, is by getting to know Him at a deeper level. That is my top priority, more of Jesus less of everything. 


Happy 2016 everyone! May God continue to bless you and  continue to seek Him in all you do :)

Just at the Right Time

Quite a few things in life don't happen at just the right time. Timing is not always perfect. However, there are those moments that occur at the best time. But even better than perfect moments, are words that are fitly spoken.

Recently, I experienced a season of stillness. I wasn't as close to God as I used to be, you know the 'just-going-through-the-motions' feeling? I felt alone and I was distracted by many things including my university bachelor project. I hadn't been spending much time with God and I felt dry and empty. I had not been feeding myself spiritually for most of the duration of the project which lasted FIVE TEDIOUS WEEKS! Subconsciously, I knew something was wrong ( I honestly have problems with having things in the BACK OF MY MIND!) and therefore I didn't tackle the issue face to face, instead I opted for the feelings of failure, disappoint and self-pity. I felt as if most of my Christian journey was literally a joke.

However, I thank God that He speaks through people. I thank Him for believing friends because during that dark moment, someone wrote to me a message at just the right time. My friend told me that she thanked God for my life and that she sees me maturing. She also prayed that I may continue to grow in Him, encouraged me to keep on running the race and reminded me that He is with me. Those few powerful words were the push that I needed and believe me they propelled me forward.

Words have power. The words we speak will not always be timely but they should be "a life-giving fountain"Proverbs 10:11 or a "tree of life" and not "crush the spirit" Proverbs 15:4. Use your words to edify and build not to destroy. To encourage and not discourage. Use your words wisely. Let them be as precious as gold and silver.

Comments  and questions are always welcome!

God bless you!