Month: August 2018

This is a popular catchphrase from a KitKat commercial. It portrays the message that you can’t enjoy the product till all things around you cease. To enjoy life, sometimes all things around you need to come to a stop- it is called a break

Life becomes beautiful and an experience when it is lived in balance. Some make the mistake of been at the two ends of the stick; work and work-extreme, play and play-extreme. You miss out! Don’t take your living or existence on this earth for granted. Life is multi layered and very multifaceted. Do something for once that will cause you to move out of the status quo; break the mould. Learn how to enjoy the breath of fresh air around you savoring another chance why it is good to be alive every waking morning

You are able to have a better perspective of life when you take a break. If you are a student, school goes on break- you have had your fill! If you are unemployed, this doesn’t apply to you because you are “cruising”, man. I am talking to people who work and that includes stay at home parents

If you don’t come apart, you will come apart

Meaning if you don’t take time to rest and call it a day at a point in your life, you will break down bodily, mentally and emotionally. The danger of grinding and going on and on can have some far reaching implications, negatively speaking.

When I talk of going on a break or holiday, I am not talking about traveling. If you have the money, then fine. If not, don’t put a strain on your finances. Holiday comes to an end and you are back to reality- paying your rent, utilities, going back to work… some people just go crazy and wild as if a break means the end of the world and living. I for one don’t understand why you should go for a holiday and come back broke.

A holiday to me means taking a break off work to rest and come back to what you were doing refreshed. Some people have the notion that the harder they grind without taking days off, that shows they are “hard workers”. Yes! My friend, you may be working hard but not working smart. In my opinion, hard work sometimes is overrated. I believe in working hard but also working smart- you need both to be productive

Anyway, let us consider some benefits of rest. Summer is almost over. Take advantage of that season for a break before it is too late

1. You become reflective

A break doesn’t mean you shut your mind off in relentless pursuit of fun. That is how many spend their break. They have no evaluation of what was done prior to the break so they don’t do better when they get back to the job. A break affords you the opportunity to look at what you did in the past to make any necessary adjustments- what were your past failures, past successes, strengths, weaknesses, what opportunities did you blow and what will you do if it comes your way again? I am not advocating for overthinking on your days off. That is also not a holiday either. I am just saying that whilst having fun, take a moment to be accountable

2. You become contemplative

You are able to enjoy the present which is a gift to us all. Once you go on a break, you can enjoy that walk you seldomly miss because of work, you are able to feel the beach sand in between your toes, go to the cinema or catch up on some leisure reading. I hear the youth using this expression, “stay woke”. When you “stay woke” in the present, you and I will have an appreciation for nature. Don’t feel guilty having fun on your day off. You deserve that break. It is okay not to answer every call, respond to every text message. Take a break off social media. Life can be good and fun sometimes when you are locked in the present

3. You become imaginary

Imaginary has to do with the future. When you evaluate your past, you now become better informed on what to do next once your holiday is over. Come back from your holiday a better person mentally- your mental focus should be sharper. Is it really a holiday when I come back more sluggish? Come back from your holiday a better person bodily- resting rejuvenates the body cells and prevents it from breaking down. Come back from your holiday a better person emotionally- what is the point coming back bitter and STILL holding on to past unforgivable experiences? Above all, come back better like a well oiled machine for a high powered performance at what you do in your work

Bless yourself with a holiday. Let that gift be your personal investment to yourself and with your loved ones you will take it with

Till I come your way again

Peace & Love

Overwhelm means to overcome completely in mind and emotions to the point that you can’t think but panic

We have all been in situations like that- it seems like, “I will never get around this, I must as well die”. I remember when I received a phone call one Friday morning in November 2016 that my father had passed away. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind at once. Each and every one of us can relate to an overwhelming experience in life. As far as we live in life, we will not escape these moments or experiences so we might as well get informed and armed on how to deal with them

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

The source of some troubles that causes us to be overwhelmed is not the devil but it is just living in this world. Stuff happens when you are living- unexpected deaths of loved ones and family, miscarriage of a child you were expecting, failed an exam, gone bankrupt, business folding up, economy crashing, a loved one faced with terminal illness, you facing a life threatening disease unexpectedly, made redundant in your firm… it’s all part of life and living. In the passage above, we are admonished that troubles and hard times will and must happen- it is an appointment that we all do not look forward to. I hate to be the bearer of bad news that difficult times are part of life. Howbeit it doesn’t mean you should live life expecting a bad turn or a negative outcome. Nay! What I am saying is when hard times creep up on you unaware, it is not a phenomenon- it is just life

How do we deal with overwhelming situations? The thing you should know is never to go in with your strength. Man is intelligent- a specie unmatched in wonder and a total phenomenon but man was not designed to go through life’s troubles alone depending on his wits and will power. Life becomes bearable when we rely on Jesus who has promised us, in him we have peace. Like, I wrote earlier about my father’s passing. It was tough but I said to myself, “Lord I rely on your strength in this and place my trust in you. May I never lose my peace”. Peace was needed to think clearly on what the next steps should be, planning a funeral, sitting down with the family amongst many more. Asides that, you should be able to think clearly and analytically when emotions are high. Peace was indeed needed. Say a simple prayer that “Lord I need you in this time of my life when things are pear shaped”. I promise you, he will come through for you. He will not deny you help! He will not reject you! He will save you and he will deliver you

Overwhelming situations affects how we think and how we feel. That is why we need the peace of God that guards our minds and hearts not to go bonkers. That comes as a result of trusting Jesus. The world can’t offer you the peace you so desperately look for, money and fame can’t either! Just Friday, I read about Elon Musk’s emotional outburst in an interview which now caused his company to lose some billions in the stock exchange. He is overwhelmed and crying for help! I hope we don’t ignore that cry until it is too late. A billionaire CEO of Tesla Cars- I thought to myself he is living it but Friday shattered that illusion. Peace in our hearts and minds will grant us the serenity and the courage to go through any fire

May I pray with you, reader!

I pray for anyone reading this that may your loving peace encompass around them; guarding their hearts and minds. Lord reveal yourself to each reader this day at their various junctions of their lives! I pray for those who want to give up, throw in the towel and quit. Let your love assure them that it will be alright. Out of this, may people commit to serving you and knowing of a truth you are God indeed. I thank you that every reader has the upper hand over every overwhelming experience in Jesus name. Amen

Till I come your way again

Peace & Love

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer

O! What peace we often forfeit?

O! What needless grief we bear?

Why? Because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

Joseph M Scriven 1855

Today, let us wrap up on shades of wisdom. Over the past couple of weeks, we are drawing a portrait of what it truly means to be wise. We have looked at certain qualities which embodies that- pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and of good fruits. Let us consider this scripture passage as our reference point to draw out some truths

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James‬ ‭3:13-18‬

7. Without partiality

Partiality means being prejudice or bias. People who are like that are not free and fair. They don’t believe in ethics. Wise people are not partial or do partisan politics. Partiality knows no kinfolk, friends, race, politics, prestige & honor. They are interested primarily in justice and fairness. It is so sad that some will only treat rich people preferentially but not the poor. Some will treat the educated with so much class and honor but not the semi literate or illiterate. Some whites treat whites better but not blacks because of color, and some blacks the same. Wise people are not partial. Being free and fair is not the most popular thing to do but it is just right. It will not be a trend or nice to dismiss an office colleague who is your golfing partner and friend because he had embezzled funds but that is the right thing to do. Partial people have weak moral grounds and can easily be bought by money. Say no to impartiality this week

8. Without hypocrisy

Wise people are not hypocrites. What they say in your absence is what they will say to your face! Too many weak leaders do we have today who have resorted to gossiping and backbiting whilst not confronting the issue or the person at hand. It is a sad sight and common occurrence among leaders today. People in general also like to do that in the name of political correctness, in the name of being “wise” but there is nothing wise about gossiping behind someone’s back in the first place. The opposite of hypocrisy is unfeigned or sincere. May we be sincere with our remarks, compliments and comments. Don’t comment on how nice the dress is to the person then two hours later, in the person’s absence, you pick up the phone to talk to your friend & trash the person’s dress. Wise people are sincere! If what you say about your friend in his or her absence can’t be said in his or her presence, it is gossip. It means you are not sincere which is not a quality of wisdom

9. Righteous

Righteousness was a legal term in the Jewish times meaning acquittal or not declared guilty. It also carries the meaning of rightness and integrity. Integrity means your thoughts, speech and actions are in alignment or integrated. That is integrity. In school, I did Math and one of the subjects taught was integer- where you get the word integrity. Basically a number divisible by 2 was considered a whole number (integer). That was one of the many facets of the topic. Integrity also means wholeness. One sign of a man or woman of integrity is he can be trusted. He or she is also reliable! Are we trusted or reliable? Do you follow through on your promise? During election time, one of the buzz words of every politician is integrity… it should not just be a buzz word, but a doing word. Many are interested in talking about integrity than doing integrity

Thank you for coming along this journey with me as we explored on wisdom. I will love to also read your take on what you took home and what resonated with you? May we indeed be people of wisdom

“Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty.”” Proverbs‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

May our lives be exalted, honored, favored and beautiful!

Till I come your way again

Peace & Love

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James‬ ‭3:13-18‬

This Bible passage has been our point of reference on what wisdom is like. So far, we have looked at three features- pure, peaceable and gentle. Today, let us focus on some more

4. Willing to yield

This quality of yielding paints the picture of one who submits to authority. Too many people brag about being wise because they are accountable to no one or submit to no authority. That is a misnomer. Submission paints the picture of power under control or restraint. It takes a strong person and even so, a wise person to submit. Rebels and renegades have an underlying factor of fear- the fear of being taken advantage of, hence their actions of rebellion. Submissiveness doesn’t mean you are a dummy, it simply means you give permission for one to lead and you follow his mission. How do you relate to your supervisor at work, teacher at school, the policeman or government appointed delegates? This speaks a lot about your wisdom. This quality of willing to yield also talks about not being stubborn or hard up on issues. You easily let them slide for the sake of peace. Most cases or issues are prolonged because of stubbornness.

5. Full of mercy

A wise person is full of mercy and merciful. A merciful person is one that gives chances when people err. May I submit that being merciful & being taken a fool of are not the same. A merciful person is in the know and quite enlightened about what he is doing extending one another chance whilst the latter is naive, may not know the facts of the story giving people the opportunity to make a buck out of him. Being merciful also means you are compassionate. Where is your wisdom if you have no compassion?

6. Full of good fruits

Good fruits here is relative and in context of the Bible. In the Bible, the term fruit is used in various instances like godly character with its traits of love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. Our passage above terms righteousness as a fruit. Good speech is also a fruit. The short of it all is a wise person is fruitful. You can’t proclaim to be wise yet barren! You have no works or fruits to show forth for. It is not okay to just talk a good game but play one. A wise man doesn’t just wax eloquent on issues of justice and equity but his life and actions embody that quality too. A wise man is a doer. He has fruits or works to show forth when the rubber meets the road

May we be submissive, merciful and fruitful this week. By these, we can safely say we are on the pathway of wisdom

“Wisdom is justified of her children”- Jesus

Till I come your way again…

Peace & Love