Never walk alone

Hello there!

How are ya!? I have been on an almost year-long hiatus from blogging (Last post was what to anticipate this christmas season). My pause from blogging has been due to many reasons among which include, stepping back as I navigated a major life event (we’ll get to it y’all!), conducting intense research with objectives that culminated in my Ph.D. qualifying exam, and a desire to blog not out of obligation to meet a deadline. Today’s post has been in the works for some weeks now and I struggled with getting back in the flow. I believe God has a message for us and I pray that regardless of how this writing turns out you receive the words with grace, and you are edified. How’s your 2023 been? If I may, this year has been quite different and filled with navigating some uncharted territories of life, and new experiences both exciting and nerve-racking. It was a whole package and praise God for never leaving us to walk alone. For all He’s brought us through and the testimonies, here’s my summation.

1. The divine presence of God

Oh boy! The year took off early at an intense start for my family and there was nothing that could have helped me navigate each day more than the divine presence of God. We had a lot of prayers and expectations from the onset and as we trusted God for each of those, doing life by ourselves would have been unfair. All our desires seem quite out of reach. For example, my looming exam was intimidating enough, and throwing a pregnancy journey in the mix simultaneously…what a stretch! God has promised us His presence in our daily living, even to the end of time. It’s like an open check we don’t cash adequately when we are in the middle of things. He is the Omnipresent God. He is always around. His presence brings unexplained peace, unnatural strength, and the power to keep going on days untold. His grandeur presence is very deep, wide, and consuming to bask in. Dear friend, what are your expectations? What are your situations today? Would you invite Jesus in and cash in on His presence? God is standing by the door of your heart and life and waiting. You will never walk alone.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 (NIV).

2. The wisdom in the right community

A purposeful community is priceless. Dear friend, I hope you are not just mustering a community of people or friends just for the number without much discernment. For all there is to navigate in life, having the right community of believers as friends is like a balm to a sore. They are there to pray for and with you and offer support. For all my academic commitment this year, a community of colleagues helped me out by providing feedback and insights to push my work forward. For my personal events, after my husband, there were specific friends who shared the burdens and moments with us with genuine care. I can’t even imagine having to do it all by myself. Giving and receiving help is a humble act that makes you experience God’s provision predestined for you.

Fear arises when we imagine everything depends on us.

Elizabeth Elliot.

3. The stability in being true to yourself

There were some decisions made this year that took much thought and being intentional. Some were radical and some were out of my comfort zone. However uncomfortable the choices were, I realized they were a reflection of some inward thinking and being true to myself. A song says “Lord help me to see me the way you see me”. Many times we are fixated on answers to prayers but the truth is praying and waiting on God changes us in the process. The change is the most important part, as you get out of the phase transformed, pruned, and birthed with a new perspective of things. You never have to walk alone and deal with stuff by yourself. I think no one is built to do that, we just have to hand it over to the Lord. The high mountains, low valleys, and in-betweens may not vanish but you never walk them alone. How reassuring!  

Oh yes, pregnancy! When I mentioned a major life event initially, this was it! God is faithful ya’ll. My family welcomed our million little miracle and he is so adorable. Since I passed my Qualifying exam too, you may refer to him as my Ph.D. Candidate jnr. (we literally wrote the exams together). All the glory be to God.

Special note: Would you give your life to Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth and the life. If yes, please pray the prayers below:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection for the salvation of my soul. Please forgive all my sins. I choose you today to follow and to obey. May your love and the holy spirit lead and guide my purpose for your glory. Thank you, my Lord and savior. Amen!

Grace and blessings,

Olushola.

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