For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. – Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
“Will you say yes to the dress?”, Dante was asked. With a beaming smile she shrieked “YES!” as a tear rolled down her left cheek. Her heart was filled with joy that she was doing this again, hopefully and finally for good. She had already been married twice (obviously both must have been terrible for her to have opted out).
The scenes played back in her head as she imagined what the next few weeks of her life would be liked. She was so certain there would be dramatic changes for herself and two children but she knew in her gut that this was not going to be like the previous two. It had been over two years since her last divorce and she was tired of wasting her life away sulking about the past. For so long she carried around a burden of guilt and shame because she felt that she was to blame. She was the one who couldn’t make a marriage last.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)
Now engaged to be married for the third time, it was obvious that despite all her failures with marriage she still believed in love. Nonetheless she was anxious, jittery, terrified to say the least. But somewhere deep down in her heart, she knew and believed that the prayers she had said to God in her low moments had been heard and were beginning to manifest. If God was able to help her find love again, then He definitely was more than capable to give her a lasting and blissful one this time around.
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. – Micah 7:8 (NLT)
Pause a moment and reflect on your life and how each month of this year has been as far as serving God is concerned. Just as a trader or business person will take stock to assess how viable their business has been or like how workers in the corporate world would measure performance and juxtapose it to the targets they set for the year, we also need to weigh the worth of our life spend towards loving God and doing His will and His work this year.
Just like Dante, no one gets married with an elaborate plan to get a divorce and set themselves up to failure (unless of course you’re some sort of psychopath, a gold digger or you just have an incessant ulterior motive that needs satiation). Similarly as human as we are, we may set of on a course with all the right intentions and our zeal and passion up the roof. However along the line “forces of nature” and circumstances may distract us and shift us off course.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV)
Never allow circumstances of life deter you from living in its fullness. Also don’t shortchange yourself of all the wonderful experiences you could have and the impact your life could make on others. You are not broken. You are not baggage. You are not unlovable. Like Dante said yes to the dress, yes to love, yes to a new chapter of her life, say yes to the invitation of Jesus Christ. Say yes to a new life filled with His unconditional love. Say yes to His will and leading. Say yes to the privilege to serve him, to be his child and redeem your life from the flames of hell.
If you haven’t already surrendered your life to Him and accepted Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour, kindly say this prayer with me now!
“Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for the opportunity to read your word and to be presented with the knowledge of your love. Please cleanse me from all my sins and write my name in Your book of life. I receive Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord. Thank you for saving my soul from the grips of hell and death. I love you Jesus. Satan from today I bind you and reject you . I will not serve you, follow you nor do your bidding again. I belong to God and I will serve Him alone . In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen.
If you believed this word with your heart and declared this prayer with your mouth, you are born again. Congratulations. The next steps we would advise would be for you to find a Bible believing church where you can fellowship and commit to serving God for the rest of your days here on earth. I pray you find your purpose and walk in it. I pray that the Holy Spirit will order your steps in His ways and that you will find peace, joy and fulfillment that surpasses all understanding in Jesus Name.
Now always remember this: God has got your back. He always and will forever have your interest at heart. Just keep saying yes to Him.
Love,
Esinam.
Virtuous Living 