When I signed up to write a piece for the esteemed POIEMA (and no, this isn’t flattery—I happen to be deeply acquainted with the chief editor 😅), I didn’t realize how terrifyingly daunting this process would be. I mean, if you’ve been a regular reader, you’ve surely come across some truly Spirit-filled contributions. If you haven’t checked them out yet, no judgment here—though I might subtly suggest you give them a read—you do need to check them out 👀.
I’ve written before, but never for an actual audience and certainly never for the Body of Christ. So, a disclaimer before you dive in (yes, a paragraph later 😮💨): this won’t be a “sermonette,” nor will it present facts that will forever change your worldview. I had prayed about it with the expectation that God would visit me in a very graphic dream, giving me the exact topic and words to use. But as most of us know by now, our Beloved Father, though powerful, doesn’t necessarily work like that. Not to discredit the modern-day Josephs, but for many of us, our spiritual dreams are more about being chased by talking cows and losing our voice right when we need to scream “Jesus!” and pray (or maybe that’s just me 👀👀).
My point (after that lengthy digression 😬) is to apologize if my words don’t meet the profound standards you’re used to–words that deepen your understanding of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Personally (wacha nifungue roho 😅), I’m kind of having a hard time hearing from God. It’s a season that will pass, thankfully. But while I’m still in it, I’ll keep reminding myself of these three simple children songs whose words hold true:
TRUST AND OBEY
Trust and obey,
For there is no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
READ YOUR BIBLE
Read your Bible,
Pray every day,
If you want to grow.
REJOICE
Rejoice in the Lord always,
And again, I say rejoice.
I remember belting out these songs as a kid, blissfully unaware of my less-than-stellar singing voice (which reminds me I really need to start sending apology cards 🤧). It is only now that I can appreciate how weighty the messages are, especially in my current predicament.
I was unfaithful in diligently following all three commands so I got stuck. I was carried away by the ups and downs of life and subconsciously pulled away instead of into the shadow of the Almighty (kimeniramba big time 😖😖). So with my tail tucked between my legs I had to run back to Him. He’s been faithful in restoring me back to Himself, reassuring me with these words 🤧:
“Yet I am merciful;
I forgave your iniquities
And did not destroy you.
Time after time I restrained My anger
And did not stir up my full wrath.
I remembered that you are but flesh,
A passing breeze that does not return.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve fallen off the bandwagon, and well, it probably won’t be the last. As a new believer, I look forward to the day I’ll be mature enough not to run from God at the tiniest obstacle. Still, I’m grateful that even in the struggles, I am never alone. Neither are you ❤.
~ (ʘᴗʘ✿)