John ESENE

    The present insecurity and economic hardship should not erase our hope and trust in Jesus, our Saviour, who came down from heaven in human form to lead us to His Father, our Father for the purpose of our creation. Though we are passing through untold hardship, let us do our best to live righteously as Christians, putting our hope and trust in God who will do what He said He would do, for He has never failed us. If Jesus could weep because of Lazarus alone, don’t you believe that He will do more for us?

     The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35) is very important to us. The only Begotten Son of God wept because of Lazarus, you and I for the love He has for us all. “Lord, what is man that you care for him, mortal man that you keep him in mind; man who is merely a breath whose life fades like a shadow?” Ps 144:3-4.

     The earth you made firm for man to live in. Abundance of water you provided such that even in dry season, you made available. The moon, the stars and the sun, you fixed above to give man light and since the creation of the world, none of them has fallen apart: you made them perfect and permanent for man.

      So, in your difficult situation, do not write yourself off because God has not finish with you. Great things happen when God meets with man!  “Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken” Ps 125:1. You are not defeated until you accept defeat. 

     Because you have sinned, you want to hide from God like Adam and Eve? No, come out like King David and plead for leniency. No one can hide from God; He sees us everywhere we go. “Create in me, a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation; make me willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:10-12.

     

        When you think the odds are against you, run to God who has the map of your life at the palm of His hand. Like the prodigal son, show remorse for your sins and beg Him to restore you back to His love and you will live abundant life.  Dear readers, if you are passing through difficulties, look at the above situations and rise from your fall; look up to Jesus and allow Him to set you free today and follow Him (the Way, the Truth and Life). He will set your feet on the straight and narrow road that leads to everlasting life.

   Let us avoid the habit of forgetting things easily! I was nobody until God made me somebody; and Jesus the only Begotten Son of God in obedience to The Father came to this world to suffer and die for me. “What a friend we have in Jesus!” is a powerful song I have to sing daily.

      It is only when you experience a misfortune that you know those who are your true friends: many will desert you while a few will remain with you to share your pains with you. But on the contrary, Jesus is always with you to guide you to the path that leads to eternal life!

     God closes in on us in order to crush our fears and demolish our selfishness. Then, He gives us the holy boldness to speak what we are afraid to say. Even if we are terrified, our fear will be mixed with incredible joy as the Lord overcomes our resistance. “Listen to God with a broken heart. He is not only the doctor who mends it, but also the father who wipes away the tears.” Criss Jami.

    In John 14:1-3, Jesus said “Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” Do not doubt and follow Cleopas and    his companion to Emmaus. Christ, the Good Shepherd decided to recover His lost sheep, Cleopas and his colleague who made a U-turn when they encountered Him. He who died for our sins has overcome death and given us the grace to rise from our fall. So, get up and follow Jesus our Saviour! So, be hopeful for Jesus has not abandoned you!

     Jesus came for among other things, to do the will of His Father. John 6. 37 says, “Everyone whom my father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me”.  He waits anxiously for us to come to Him to enjoy eternal life but most times, we allow things of this world to distract us. “I have food to eat of which you do not know. My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.” Jn 4:32, 34. Believe today that Jesus is the best friend we can ever have: get rid of all your distractions and follow him!

      Jesus Christ Our Lord has ascended into heaven as revealed in Acts 1:9-10. But He has not abandoned us: He is still here with us as He moves about to recover His lost sheep for His Father, Our Father. So, let us approach Him like Bartimaeus, the blind man who received his sight that He may lead us to eternity. Today is certain but tomorrow we do not know. So, let us hurry like the three shepherds: let us aspire for the things that are eternal and avoid the perishables so as to save our lives.