being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV).
Recently, I got a plaque for my desk in school. First, I thought after many weeks since resuming, my desk needs some decor and personal touch. So, I set out to Goodwill to find me a nice decor piece. I came home with this, why? Getting to the store, I went straight to the decorating aisle and after going through all kinds of stuffs, these words caught my eyes “Love the journey you choose”.
After a semester in what I call the sequel of my grad school journey and 5 months married to my best friend, here is the reason I bought it. It is a reminder every morning I sit at my desk or whenever my eyes wander to those words that I am on a journey and whatever situation I may find myself, to love my journey is still a choice.
This year, 2021 was another journey for me. After reuniting with my then, fiancé after 28 months of being apart (shout out to long distance-ish). The holidays ended and reality of the new year set in. My flight back in January was not fun. I spent most of the trip thinking and worrying about what comes next. My husband and I started the year with a ton of expectations, we had lengthy prayer points, trusted God for marriage, an admission, positive feedback on a delayed crucial paperwork related to my status as a foreign student and provision to take care of bills. In addition to that, we believed God for healing, miracles in seemingly hopeless situations and the list goes on. In my very human opinion and overthinking self, I just could not see how we’ll make it through the year. The journey was marked with a sandwich of events both planned and unplanned. How we got here, I honestly can’t fully explain certain situations but praise God! Each of the worries were taken care of beyond our expectations. Of course, not without tears (all me😅) or disappointments or second guessing the journey but God’s goodness and mercy prevailed. Halleluyah!
God is enough.
If you are reading this and you’re not so enthusiastic about the coming year, maybe like us, you have a load of cares, and you just don’t know how the journey will go….yes, it is not unusual my friend. But what I will say is that God is Emmanuel, He is right there with you no matter the journey. Jehovah Jireh is enough for you if He promised, He will do it. That’s what He knows how to do best!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6:6 (NIV).
Choose to love your journey, find all the reasons to—contentment. Your journey is unique and not everyone will understand it with you. Many of us are caught in the web of discontent, and we just want the next big thing forgetting the present journey as it slips away. Find joy in the smallest of things. The devil will try to dissuade you by throwing in curveballs. The devil is a liar and all he can do is to roar like a lion to scare you; he is not a lion. You serve the Lion of the tribe of Judah!
Joy.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV).
Let your joy be from inside out and not the other way around. The happenings around the world are enough to steal our joy but are we going to keep wallowing? No. We will choose joy. We will choose to wake up with gratitude and carry on with God’s purpose for our lives regardless. We need to trust God to teach us to see this world as a pilgrimage to a destination, when we see it that way, we forge ahead in the journey wary of discouragement.
Service.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV).
What brings a new definition to the journey? Service. The life that we live is not only designed for ‘me’ and nothing more. You get more essence out of life each time you set aside yourself for another person. It may be actively listening, giving encouraging words, intercession in any way you feel led…. just caring sincerely. The world is full of negativity but sending out graceful words may do better than expected. Whatever act of service, as long as we shine our God-given light in the smallest of ways the journey gets even more enjoyable…it’s a life hack.
Celebrate.
To my readers, thank you! This particular journey has been very worthwhile with you. More than anything, I hope you have been blessed and ministered to. The stats we get about Bedeborah readers and engagements only bring this scripture to mind…
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come Matthew 24:14 (NIV).
God forgive me if any intentions were in anyway misplaced, I just desire you take the glory and do your work in people’s lives. It’s not surprising that as human beings we may get distracted and get our priorities misplaced. Bedeborah is all about sending hope through the word of God to students (grad students and internationals especially). If a discouraged student could visit the blog and becomes edified, with a new resolve to keep going due to the word they came across…huzzah! What a blessing that will be! I believe God is doing His work.
For anyone at a junction in their journey, with no hint of what’s next or what to expect, you are not alone. The brave thing may be just surrendering and taking that one step that seem reckless but just go for it. Love your journey and believe God is with you. Christmas is about celebrating Emmanuel, isn’t it? God with us.
We are excited for what God will do in the coming year through this blog! Cheers to one year, cheers to many more as God wills.
Merry Christmas and have a prosperous new year!
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.
This is a celebration song from Hillsong United, when the lyrics come to life in our being, it tells of the assurance in knowing God is with us through fire, water…. or grad school and loving the journey we (He) chose.
