Another New Year is upon us and as always is the
tradition, there's a lot of frenzy to mark the New Year. December 31st is always seen as a tense day. People bustling all over the place to make last
minute preparations towards the New Year. The night time is the most noisy,
fireworks lighting the sky, music all over the place, people drinking up in bars, guys stroking
girls in motels or their private homes and of course people flocking to church
for the cross over service. This is great but is that all that really matters?
We all make New Year resolutions wanting to improve on
something and make fervent earth shaking and ground moving prayers to God to
bless us and increase us in all we do. As the year goes by, we do see
improvement in ourselves, job promotion, marriage, new house, new car,
earning an academic degree among other things. God indeed is moving and prayers
are being answered but there is one thing that is missing from us: THE ART OF LOVING,
FORGIVING AND CARING FOR OTHERS.
God might have blessed some people beyond expectations
but rather than be a blessing to others just as God did, they neglect those
going through difficult and turbulent times. Many are out there who don’t have
anyone to care for them. Some are going through depression because of the loss
of a loved one. Some have had terrible accident which has taken a toll on their
health and don’t have the means for treating themselves, some don’t have a
place to sleep. Every day is a struggle for them. We bypass these people while
we smile and put joy in our hearts. Some of these people just need someone to
talk to, someone that could give them a smile, a phone call of upliftment or
encouragement to that woman who lost her husband and first son. Sometimes it’s
not all about giving money but being there. One’s presence is enough to make
sad emotions disappear. Even those who are blessed financially do not give
to worthy causes but keep gathering the wealth, racking up millions that isn't channeled
to developmental needs of society.
As said earlier, we all pray fervently for God to
bless and increase us. Our prayers most times are all about ourselves
neglecting to pray for others going through difficult times. Prayers shouldn't be
about ‘I’ all the time. 90% of our prayers have ‘I’ while the remaining 10% is
on other people or not at all. This is an entirely wrong thing. Jesus Christ
prayed more for others than himself even at the point of death so why can’t we
do the same? The result of such is that the lives of millions would be better and
not just us alone.
I've come to realize that many people might be prayer
warriors, praying day and night against the forces of evil but deep in their
heart is hate and an unforgiving spirit. How is it that we pray during cross
over services and yet we carry grudge and hate in our hearts just because that
woman said something that wasn't pleasant to you? I've heard insults and unpleasant
things in my life over and over again but does that mean that I hold grudge
over such person? Absolutely not. Having bitter resentment over someone for
doing something painful and hurtful doesn't make much sense. Some have carried hate in their heart for years. That’s just unbelievable.
Jesus Christ for once
never had hate in his heart. It was all about forgiveness even when people did
things that didn't please God. The martyr Stephen at the point of being stoned
to death prayed to God to forgive those who were doing the cruel act to him.
His prayers might have saved those people so why do we find it hard to forgive
someone? There’s no point keeping malice, holding grudge and hating. It just
simply is an act of immaturity no matter the degree of hurt caused. Keeping such
in mind can have psychological effect as time goes on so what hate? Bury the
hatchet please. God isn't pleased with a heart that can’t forgive when He did much more than that for us.
Rather than start this New Year in the same fashion we
have been doing over the years, why don’t we turn a new leaf. Lend a helping
hand, give all you can, let someone feel happy because you were there in time
of need. Pray more for those who need love and care than for yourself. God has
blessed you so be a blessing to others. End the hate and grudge you have
towards that person. Show some love back, if the person isn't warm towards you,
do your part and leave the rest. Your bright face might just change the person’s
approach.
Wishing you all a wonderful 2015. Have a great year.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, kindly leave your comments below. Thanks.
*All photos sourced randomly from Google Images.
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