It’s the most wonderful time of the year! A time where family and friends gather from far and near to share memories, thanksgiving, and love.
Some, more than others, anticipate the euphoria of the season all year long like my friend, Ashley. I would believe that it is because of the rich celebrationscoupled with being around loved ones that spark this uncanny joy for this holiday.
For others, they spend time-sharing with others less fortunate through organizations such as Operation Christmas Child. They are truly a wonderful organization of volunteers who share the love of God in a tangible way (i.e., shoeboxes of gifts) and engage in discipleshipthrough the word of God.
Wherever we spend the season, we all can attest to the exhilarated and blissful atmosphere that just warms our hearts.If you asked a kid what they loved about Christmas, I am positive that their answers would be the gifts.
However, as we grow older and create Christmas traditions, we try to instill the value of giving thanks. We become the CEOs of our lives and conduct a year’s review of gratitude. To realize how fortunate, we are despite challenges. To reflect on the year and how we have overcome each obstacle.
We give thanks.
Thanksgiving Thoughts
With Thanksgiving dinner days prior to Christmas, we are sizzling with words of appreciation and love. Many have gone around their tables and rooms expressing what they are grateful for, but what about those who are really cast down? Those who have had a rough year and cannot seem to see the silver lining in the clouds.
Be encouraged by what Paul said in(1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 18), “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
A few days ago, in midday prayer with my mom, we discussed how much God has pivoted our lives individually and as a collective family.
We recognized how things we would have seen as the enemy meant for evil transmogrified into something supernaturally good. Months of living on edge of being forcefully evicted, God fixed that in 6 months. Years of residing in toxic environments because of fear and the people pleaser syndrome, God empowered us to willingly remove ourselves from these situations.
We do not know the plans God has for our lives, but (Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 NIV) says that these are “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Therefore, no matter how impossible the conditions may seem to you, “God [remains] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Psalms chapter 46 verse 1.
We need to remain the course and continue our pursuit. He will lead us along the right path.
God’s Positioning System (GPS)
At the beginning of the month, I visited my former school’s Inter Christian School Fellowship meeting where the faculty advisor, Mr. Jermaine Johnson,examined the physical and spiritual GPS.
We could all agree that the physical GPS was the inferior one, however, what stood out to me at that moment was the concept of rerouting and the accuracy of the spirit.
I use GPS to go to new places which I would not know the specific location of. But sometimes while being driven there, I may see a road on the map that I know is shorter and direct the individual to use this route. After doing so, I see where the GPS reroutes the directions to suit the new path which I have chosen.
Holy Spirit reroutes
As for the physical, so it is for the spiritual. There might be the thought that because this is the destination, which was promised to me, God is going to provide a straight path. But what about when we change course and start going our way with no guidance from the Holy Spirit? God being our GPS then reroutes us to end us where he wants us to be. Even when we are stubborn, unwilling, and weary, He cares for us.
The second is the accuracy of the spirit. The Holy Spirit does not need any update to know the closure of roads or traffic. He is accurate by nature.
I have heard on numerous occasions where persons have expressed how the Holy Spirit has spoken to them to go one way and their obedience has proven beneficial to them to save them from hardship or even traffic. So it is for spiritual things, where the Spirit instructs us to do or do not engage in something, our obedience will be the evidence of accuracy.
Hence, we need to remain rooted and grounded in God and in tune with the Holy Spirit to guide our lives. No matter how much of a mess we may think life is, God can use that messy path, reroute you and still allow you to reach your desired destination or where He needs you to be.
Trust the Lord
Incontestably, we should “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6.
As we embark on the journey of a new year – 2022, let us remain steadfast and immovable from the winds of the world. Let us remain grateful in every situation.Lastly, let us allow God to be “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psalms chapter 119 verse 105.
With God as our GPS, we can demolish the walls of Jericho in our lives now and beyond in the year 2022.
Just trust God’s Positioning System.