New year, low mileage!

Hello there!

Happy New Year! 

A new year is similar to a new car with a low mileage. This low mileage analogy is like a recalibration for every New Year, Praise God for life! A low mileage guarantees an operable car with well-functioning parts, all things being equal. Over time the car inevitably accrues wear and tear with the increased usage. However, what stays the same is the driver behind the wheel. The driver’s knowledge of driving remains unchanged if he decides to stick to his ways. If the driver decides not to improve the safe-driving skills, then the car is at the receiving end. Enough of a display of my very minimal knowledge of automobiles. Here’s my point; the new year could be described in parallel to the mileage analogy. New year, low mileage. Shall we learn a thing or two about using our mileage wisely? 

1. Low mileage

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 20:7 (ESV).

How are you planning on using your 2024 mileage? Do you trust your skills over God’s direction? Are you about to place a new wine in an old wineskin i.e approach new things with your old methods? That may not be the best decision. As grad students, we are being trained on setting S.M.A.R.T goals and we pride ourselves in applying that knowledge. But are you though? Are you setting very smart goals? Yes, you are most likely adopting a working routine you have developed in the past year, and yes, it’s been working great. Many times, we ‘cheat’ ourselves by working with our principles which seem to produce good results, but we could upgrade to an excellent level of performance by involving God in our affairs. The perfect wisdom of our God reveals all things necessary for us to know. He knows when is best and what is best to make our lives better. His Spirit teaches us all things. He walks and works with us to give a result that glorifies Him alone. If you’d like to be among the truly “smart” ones this year, it’s time to give up your ways and walk in His guided ways. At least, give Him a chance in 2024.

2. Driver

²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Matt 7: 24-25 (NKJV).

Rock, paper, scissors, sand...Let’s leave this game to when we need to decide who locks the Lab doors, shall we? Cross out the scissors and paper, let’s focus on rocks and sand. 

In this new year, on what do you plan to build your life, home, ideas, achievements, and goals? Rocks or sand? If you are a student and a disciple of Christ, and are yet to have a word from God with which you run, it’s time to reconsider. God is the able driver. The word of God is a rock. It is an anchor. The word of God is a treasure box where we find God’s promises. God’s promises are not there to make us just feel better, they are placed there to serve as anchors on which we hold our life firmly, come rain, come storm.  Do you fully know the trajectory of this year? If you do, then you probably know how to navigate it. But for the majority of us, we are even clueless about the next minute. True rest comes with surrendering to the driver who is the Alpha and Omega. A safe driving skill for maintaining the low-mileage-new year is by running it with a reliable manual. A manual that has all the principles to guide you in whatever situation you are faced with, God’s word is there for you to tap into by reading, meditating, and practicing it. The key is in doing what we’ve heard or read from the word of God.

3. Servicing

Let’s reconsider our maintenance habits in the new year. Applying oil at the right time makes your engine run great, isn’t it? How about applying the oil of prayer (and other spiritual exercises) on our journey this year? We may not prevent the wear and tear of life but we can protect against the frictions of life. When life is lif-ing, we take cover in the name of the Lord, a strong tower. In prayers, the heart of God is revealed to us, He speaks to us as friends and we snuggle up in His care, an Abba-Father to-child experience. Let’s decide to linger in the place of prayers this year as our battles are being fought by God. It’s best to place the events of an entire year and beyond in the hands of Him, who knows tomorrow. Tithing, giving, and serving are other maintenance habits. May God help us to be faithful in the little and big things entrusted to us. Nothing ever changes except we decide to make the changes as we brave another year. 

Thank you, to all my readers who visited this space and indulged me in the past year. Congratulations to every student who graduated in the past year! I may not know you, but I celebrate your diligence and dedication! Here’s to growing and stepping into new possibilities! I pray we are truly blessed, and His words won’t return empty but accomplish His desires and achieve the purpose for which they are sent. Amen!

Happy New Year, Deborah Army!

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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