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!

Guest Post: True Comfort by Alina Hall

What gives you comfort? You know that great feeling of peace, joy and happiness? That sense of belonging?

Is it the people that you are surrounded by? Your family, friends or that special companion; your other half?

Or maybe it's the things you own..your degree..car..house..job..or money?

Do they satisfy you? Always? No matter the situation?

Do not be fooled...the comfort they offer is temporary. Fleeting, here today but gone tomorrow.

But I know a secret and I want to share it.

True comfort comes from God alone. His comfort is not temporary for He is comfort itself. Stop looking around and look to Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He is waiting.

"And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever " 
-John 14:16 KJV

Eliminating the Unnecessary

Last month, I was reading my devotional from Our Daily Bread and I could identify with the story. The Scripture was from Luke10:38-42; Jesus was at two sisters' home: Martha and Mary. Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him but Martha was extremely busy and distracted with the preparations. I saw a lot of myself in Martha.

Most people who know me even for a short while soon realize that I am a busy bee. "Tawikala panshi?" is a  phrase in Bemba that has been spoken to me on numerous occasions. It literally translates as "Don't you sit down?" i.e. "Do you ever rest?". I am constantly planning things that need to be done and as a result I find myself incapable of relaxing when things are left incomplete. Usually when I return home from the library I begin to organize things instead sitting down and socializing with my lovely sister and cousin. I always want to be done with the "unfinished business" before I relax. I want to do a lot with the time I have, which is not a bad idea at all, until I over-plan and run behind schedule. I once invited a friend for dinner at 7pm, and being the European he is, he was right on time! The dinner that I had thought would start at 7pm ended up starting at 9pm; I was two hours behind, unbelievable but very true.

However, thanks to  the devotional and the very observant eyes of my sister and cousin, I have been awakened to the harsh reality of my life. Since the problem was noted, I started working on solutions. A few management lessons might do the trick but theory not put in practice is worthless. So, I have worked on my decision making. As much as I like to do everything, somethings are only distractions that are well-intended but do not need to be done that day and others are crucial and require my immediate attention. I am filtering the necessary from the unnecessary. This is not something that one learns to do over night, it requires a lot of discipline and so I have started with the small steps that can later add up to great changes. For example, in the past I studied in the library until 9pm every day except for the days that I have fellowship with the people at church. Instead, now I can study until 7pm and spend some quality time with the those I love, laughing and living a little. Secondly, I honestly do not have to make different appointments with 5 friends in one day instead I can easily spread them over the week or month,or even have one huge gathering, leaving plenty of time for some real girl talk! Last but not least, I can have a good quiet time with the One that matters the most, God, instead of rushing off to "unfinished business".



I am making small steps, the process will be long but I pray that God will continue to help me overcome other distractions and serve Him and others with the deepest devotion. I also hope and pray that God will open your eyes to the clutter in your own life and enable you to overcome them. Remember, His grace is sufficient.

Stay Blessed.

Thanks to Our Daily Bread for inspiring me to write this post.

"In my weakness His strength is perfect"

It's that time of the year again. FINALS. January and June are the months I dread the most because they are the examination months. I can't stand exams, they are stressful and  make me scared but at the same time they always bring me closer to God.

A few weeks before the Christmas break, I went to Pangea and meet up with a friend. We talked about everything in the little time that we had to catch up, and exams was definitely one of  the topics. I remember telling her how agitated and anxious I was to write them. Her view about exams,on the other hand, was completely different from my own and it encouraged me. She said she LOVED exams (emphasis added) because these were one of the  moments when God's power could actually be visible. I knew this too but it never made me look forward to them. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always know God will come through and maybe that is the problem; that powerful truth and others are SOMEWHERE IN THE BACK OF MY MIND.

Luckily, as exams drew closer, these truths begin to resurface and I truly thank God for that because without them I would surely not make it through this period as a sane person.

So what are these truths or what things do I do that keep me sane?

• God is faithful and His plans are sovereign, whether or not I pass, I know He is in control. Of course, I would rather pass and have a free summer but if it doesn't work out, it's all good.
• I can't do anything on my own, with my own strength (Zech.4:6;John 5:5; Jeremiah 17:5). I need to rely on God who is able to do more than I can ever imagine.
• His strength is perfect in my weakness and His grace is sufficient (2Cor.12:9).
• Before and after I study I pray, "Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed" (Prov.16:3)
• When I am tired, I go to bed because "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Psalm 127:2).
• I try not to post-pone things that I can do that day because tomorrow is promised to no one (Proverbs 27:1)
• Last but not least, I share my problems with family and friends. I tell them my fears and ask for prayer. They encourage me. Just as I am encouraged by others, I also pray and encourage them (Gal.6:2).

Every examination period, God's power is visible. His word keeps me sane and He provides people to encourage and cheer me on. Every examination period, God draws me closer to Him.

I hope you can apply these and other truths to your life too :) 

Be still -Bethel Music

Seasons of Life

Life is unstable. Things are constantly changing from one season to the other but in that instability God is our firm foundation, He is the One who is unchanging, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb. 13:8).

I recently went through a  difficult season with regard to friendships. My reputation was tampered with and I lost some friends in the process but I also learned a few things.

First and foremost, I learned that God is SOVEREIGN over ALL seasons, and that He has a time and a purpose for each one ( Eccl. 3:1,11). When I realized that God was not at all surprised by what was going on in my life, I calmed down and drew strength from this truth. I no longer asked why me but I told myself that He knows and is in control.

Secondly, discernment and acknowledgement of one's season is key. I started off not liking this season at all, I wanted to be out of it from the get go; I was in winter wishing for summer. However, denial of my situation withheld me from learning. After I discerned and accepted my circumstances, I was able to look for and find the purpose for the season.

Lastly, every season has a learning curve. I learned the destructive power of gossip and the importance of communication when trying to restore a relationship. I realized my mistakes and at the same, developed some skills that I can apply in the future and also came to understand that without the power from God through His Holy Spirit, we are unable to perfectly apply Scripture to our lives.

To sum it all up, I learned to interpret my experiences through God's perspective and realized that God uses both good and bad experiences to purify and mold us into the image of Christ. I stopped fretting about the things I have no control over.

Maybe you are in a season of great trial and long suffering, or maybe you are in a season of prosperity and growth. Summer is not just about fun nor is winter only about sadness. Whatever season you are in, ask God to reveal His purpose for that season to you. Ask Him what it is that He wants to teach you. Life is unstable, seasons come and go, don't miss the opportunity to become better because of your feelings about the season you are in. Instead, embrace it and let God change you for the better.

Big thank you to my editors: Whitney van der Mark and Chibwe Beel!