Are You Battle Ready?

Happy new year guys! God has seen us into a new year, I pray that you will experience God’s goodness in 2023 in Jesus’ name. 2022 was quite the year, and for many of us, it was the first Christmas we were able to go out with friends and family. Isn’t that great? 2023 will surely be greater in Jesus’ name.

As children of God, we learn the importance of praying; a common acronym we hear is PUSH- pray until something happens. But I recently found myself soliloquizing not too long ago about what we do next when that something we prayed for has happened. We often hear about how adversity draws people closer to God, and I’m one of such. Back in my teenage years going into my twenties (I’m still in my twenties! 😊), I had a grand plan to enjoy all life had to offer before getting serious with God sometime in my forties. It didn’t take long for the folly of my plans to be revealed as I learnt in my early 20’s the meaning of adversity and had to run to God (Prov. 18:10). Thankfully, God is a merciful God who is more than willing to welcome everyone, even if it’s because they’re in trouble (Ps. 46:1, Heb. 4:16, Matt. 11:28-29).

Hence, I found myself asking myself this question: what happens when ‘the something’ we have prayed and fasted for finally happens? I realised that there would be a temptation to relax and, in some cases, revert to our old ways of life. Which is exactly what the devil wants, for us to be relaxed. The Bible tells us about the story of Samson, one of the strongest men to ever live until he relaxed. In Judges 16, we are told of how he lost it all and eventually died. Another example can be seen in the story of David and how the moment he relaxed cost him so much (II Sam. 12:11-12).

Now, you may be thinking I’m saying we are not allowed to rest; you will be mistaken. What I’m referring to is the point where we as Christians fall for the trap of the devil by no longer being battle ready. To be battle ready entails us regularly praying, fasting, spending time in God’s presence and never losing sight of the ultimate goal. I Peter 5:8 (NKJV) tells us to be vigilant for one simple reason: our adversary, the devil, walks around seeking whom to devour. Eph. 6:10-18 admonishes us on the importance of being battle ready by advising us to put on the whole armour of God, as this is the only way we can stand against the enemy’s plans. If you remember the story of Troy (or watched the movie), it was when the Trojans relaxed that the Greeks were able to penetrate their city walls and defeat them!

The cost of relaxing is too great for any of God’s children to relax. Paul understood this importance and made sure to warn the Ephesians (Acts. 20:29-31). David and Samson learnt this the hard way. So just as I am asking myself, I’m also asking you: are you battle ready? This is the only way to not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy (II Cor. 2:11 (NKJV))! For 2023, I leave you with this charge from I Cor. 16:13 (NIV): Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. It is only when we do this that the enemy will not be able to take advantage of us. Have a blessed and prosperous 2023 in Jesus’ name.

P.S Enjoy one of my favourite hymns: Onward Christian Soldiers!

Finishing Grace

Before we get into the full swing of the Christmas holiday, I thought I’d write one for the road lol. The inspiration for this post came when I was in the final stretch of my project, and I was reviewing all I had written. During one of these reviews, I remembered that I had listened to a message by Joel Osteen titled ‘Finishing Grace’ and also recalled Ecc. 7:8 which says that the end of a thing is better than its beginning. I daresay that it is easier to start something, but finishing it? That is a whole separate business. 

For many of us, in 2022, we started pursuing dreams or goals we had written down as part of our resolutions. But somewhere along the way, it got difficult, we experienced disappointments, and eventually gave up. Back in 2020, I had a goal to undertake an MBA programme. As with every goal, there were twists and turns on the road. I remember sitting in my car on a hot afternoon and getting a scholarship email. It was such an exciting moment, but one I couldn’t see to the end due to insufficient funds. All efforts to secure funding proved abortive and eventually I had to defer my January admission to September 2021.

One thing you get taught in life is to not put all your eggs in one basket. So, I decided to spread my net with the hopes of securing one that would be affordable. In 2021, I thought I had finally secured a place in another program, but I also had to once again defer my admission. A few Sundays after, I heard a message in church that prompted me to pick up the broken dreams and try again (unashamed plug for the article I wrote then- Do it afraid!). Phil. 1:6 reminds us that God will finish the work He started. Fast forward to December 2022, and the same guy who nearly gave up on his goal has finally completed it. Glory to God!

In Ps. 46:1 (NKJV) the bible tells us that God is a “very present help in trouble”. The road to fulfilling your dream will not be a smooth one, Jesus already told us this in John 16:33. But you know what, not only did Jesus overcome the world, but the bible also further reassures us that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). It was this grace that enabled me to finish a journey I started all the way back in July 2020 in December 2022. My funding issues didn’t suddenly disappear, but I had faith in God and whenever I was down, I asked Him for grace.

God is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Whatever it is that you have started, the same God that helped you start will help you finish. You may just be at the point of abandoning it, I’m here to tell you that He has grace for you to finish. It may seem impossible but until you pick it up and run the race, you will never finish. Like Joel Osteen said in his message, “will you start, or will you finish?” God never starts what He can’t finish. 2022 is about to end but it is not too late to get back up and run the race. My charge to you is to stay in faith and run the race, God did not bring you this far to abandon you. Like Paul, may we be able to say that we ran the race, kept the faith, and finished the course with joy (2 Tim.4:7, Acts 20:24). I wish you a flourishing finish to 2022!

 

P.S. If you can, take time out to listen to Joel Osteen’s message, Finishing Grace

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