Today’s Readings:
1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98:1,7-9
John 1:35-42
At the beginning of every year, there is a struggle to meet expectations—either the ones we set for ourselves or the ones others have set for us. This puts us at crossroads. We either do things the way we want or we do them as God dictates. Sometimes, the things we want are not bad; they are just misguided. Sometimes, our intentions are not misguided; we are just desperate. But all these bring us to a point of decision—we must either do things our way or God’s way.
To do things your way means that you will meet people you are not supposed to meet, do things you should not do, and maybe get what you want. But this will leave a sour aftertaste in your mouth (call it “a blessing that adds sorrow,” Proverbs 10:22). People who do this are described in Matthew 7:26,27 as “building their house on sand”. When the wind blows and the storms rise and beat that house, it falls, revealing their foolishness. You are not foolish in Jesus’ name. The alternative is to stay with Jesus, trust in His timing, work on ourselves and discover what is hindering us from realising God’s will for our lives. Those who allow themselves to be guided by Christ, build their house on rock. The winds will come, the storms will rise but the house will stand ‘kakaraka like Zuma Rock’ (Matthew 7:26,27). I pray that you receive wisdom from God to trust His way and follow Him.
John the Baptist points Jesus out to his disciples as “The Lamb of God” and they follow Jesus (John 1:35). Jesus asks them what they seek. In reply, they asked, “Where do you stay?” And Jesus invites them to come and see. This is an open invitation to communion with Jesus, to discover God, to leave your past, to discover yourself and trust God who leads you into a bright future (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus invites us to do things differently than we have always done. It is an invitation to set aside our plans as beautiful, good and noble as they may seem, and embrace a life in union with Christ. You must re-examine your desires and motives (are you with Jesus for who He is or for what He gives?).
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Lord, keep your child close to You.
Lead them into an intimate union with you and help them to trust you and your plans for their lives.
Deliver them from those who seek to kill, steal and destroy them.
Deliver them from the trap of what they desire and guide them by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the joy of loving and serving you in everything, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the year 2025 and beyond, may God grant you wisdom to stay with Him and allow the Holy Spirit guide and order your thoughts, desires and decisions on the path of peace, progress and prosperity through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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