FACEBOOK RELATIONSHIP STATUS: IT IS COMPLICATED

I never knew so many options were available on Facebook relationship status icon until a friend's status went from being 'engaged' to 'it is complicated'. I paused for a moment to have an understanding of what this term meant and how that applies to my friend. I couldn’t make any sense of it. This is because she had told me of the Christian Brother she was engaged to. So, my first thought was if he is truly a Christian brother, there shouldn’t have been any complications. I was wrong.

Life in itself without JESUS is complicated enough.  In Christ, yes, life may still be difficult but definitely not complicated. Jesus said we will have difficult times but told us to be of good cheer as He overcame the world already. We therefore stand in His victory. The ways and plans of God for us are so clear without ambiguities.  Complications would only arise when we choose to have our way. James 1:13-15 says “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.  Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Complications often occur when we choose not to be bothered by warning signs but follow our heart and feelings to make life choices. We forget too quickly that God who alone searches the heart tells us that it is deceitful and desperately wicked. How can we trust our feelings that are often so transient, high today; low tomorrow?  Some situations may be naturally complicated but we still choose to walk into them anyway.

James reassured us in 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James concluded in this same chapter in verse 16-17 “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.  Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

This is what He advised in Verse 5-8: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

So, how complicated is your status? Bring the complications to Jesus the Christ, leave the relationship and the issues in His hands and remove yourself from the complications. LET GO! And LET GOD!

These are the options on the Facebook relationship status icon:

A.      Single

B.      In a relationship

C.      Engaged

D.     Married

E.      It’s complicated

F.       In an open relationship

G.     Widowed

H.     Separated

I.        Divorced

J.        In a civil partnership

If your current status reads E, F, H, I or J, You need to humbly dial God, through Christ Jesus in prayer and have a word. If you are finding it hard to do, we’ll help you; that’s why we are family. If you’ve done it and He rescued you already, praise God for you. Share with us how you made it and strengthen others.

Sister! No matter how complicated, Jesus is able to sort you out. TRUST HIM!!!

WHEN TO REACT AND WHEN TO RESPOND

 

 

 

My recent conversation with a sister is actually the reason for this short note. You may want to ask me what is the difference between 'reacting' and 'responding'? The short answer is both are actions towards a cause. The only difference is in the 'time' it takes to happen. 

When we 'react', it is instant, spontaneous, on the spot and on impulse. When we 'respond', it is the right and necessary attitude to a cause but with a process, takes a bit of time.

While waiting to be married, as we celebrate each year and get older and may even stay longer at home with families, we face very annoying and highly offensive situations. Some are intended and deliberate, some are unintended but misconstrued, while some are imaginary or misinterpreted. Whichever way, we just get angry, feel upset and often times become very touchy and irritable.

To be honest my sisters, most of the things that gets us angry are not in themselves the real cause of our anger. Our anger is rooted deep within as a result of this obvious delay. Unfortunately it is the people around us or our immediate buddies that suffer from our incessant snapping and outbursts.

I am not ignoring the fact that some do provoke us deliberately by their words and actions but many may have acted from pure innocence and genuine concern for us. 

When my older and younger got married, I became sick and tired of sympathetic prayers and pitiful concerns that I practically avoided some people and some places. Even if they were sincerely concerned for me, in my mind, there was no trust and so could hardly bear their 'concerns'.

With those I couldn't avoid, I snap easily. I react spontaneously and where possible I snub.

I became so full of strife. Anger and bitterness was not far from me. Unknowingly, I was prolonging my waiting. My prayers were ineffective. I needed to sought it all out to hear God properly. 

I beseech you my beloved sister if this is speaking of you; to shun every form of reaction that leaves you in bitterness and strife. Choose to respond in God's love and in His good time. You will see the difference that this will make in your life as you wait patiently for the promise of the Lord.

 

(Colosians 3:1-17)

COMPLACENCY- A SIN OR A CURSE

"........I'll find and punish those who are sitting it out, fat and lazy, amusing themselves and taking it easy,

Who think, 'God doesn't do anything, good or bad.

   He isn't involved, so neither are we.'

But just wait. They'll lose everything they have,........." Zephaniah 1:12-13a(MSG)

Times when I sense stagnancy in any area of my life, I blame the devil and pray against every spirit of delay that may be working against my progress. My summation is usually that someone, something or unseen forces are at work through a spell or a curse. In as much as I am not disputing the fact that it may be so; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but I am beginning to realise that praying alone may not be the solution to employ. Getting up and facing the situation with very practical steps towards a solution may be more realistic than just praying and folding my arms.

God frowns at complacency. He never intended for us to be idle at any time.

Reading through the book of Zephaniah chapter 1, I saw that one of the major things that God frowned at was Spiritual Stagnancy (vs 12). How can one be spiritually stagnant?
Due to delays or lack of progress in a major area of our lives, we tend to give up on God and become lethargic towards the things of the Spirit. We become so discouraged that we withdraw ourselves from everything and live a carefree style. We become indifferent. We tactfully pull out of everything that once fired us up Spiritually. We fold our arms in high expectation,  we determine to do nothing more until God shows up. In today's language, we try to hide under humility by saying "I'm just putting my head down for a while".

Who knows the time and the hour when the Son of Man shall return. He that endures to the end shall be saved. Jesus is not coming back for the married or the single. No! He is coming back for a people prepared to meet Him. People whose lamps still burns with much oil in it. 

He says in the book of Revelations 3:15-17


"....I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.
You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit.
You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless....."

Those were strong words. God clearly wants us to get back to kingdom business and be alive in the Spirit once again.


Sister, what have you stopped doing that you ought to keep on doing? 

What aspect of your stewardship is suffering due to complacency on your part?

What area of service have you withdrawn from? 

Is God calling you back to do business for Him?

Get up! please get up and get back to God's business. 

In the Zephaniah passage, the consequences of being stagnant spiritually far outweighs the whatever reasons we may have given for that attitude of heart. The truth is God refers to it as a sin resulting from laziness and defiance towards His orders.

Complacency according to scripture is a sin (Zephaniah 1:12)and not a curse.

Let us shake it off, lace-up our shoes and start running the race. God is able, and sufficiently able to carry us through whatever we may be faced with. We must keep the work of the great commission going, in whichever way we have been gifted to do it. That is what Jesus is coming back to ask of us. Let us begin by telling someone about Jesus today.

Lets get back to Kingdom business. God will surely take care of our business. John 6:33 is a living proof.

Have a busy day for the Lord. Amen.

RESERVED SEATS

Recently, on the 27^th of May to be precise, an incidence happened that will linger in my memory for a long time to come. God used this experience to teach me a lesson about how He works all things out together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. My friend Dawn and I had planned to attend the induction ceremony of a friend of ours into the pastorate of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. This event was scheduled to take place during the London Baptist Assembly in session. The venue was the Central Hall, Westminster. There is a bus from where I live that travels straight to this venue.  It was the cheapest option and quickest too.

The programme starts at 7.00pm and all guests have been advised to be seated by 6.45pm. The journey takes only 40minutes from my home. My friend and I agreed to meet at the bus stop at 5.55pm so we can hop on the 6.o’clock bus and arrive venue in good time. Trust Dawn, being English, she rang me on the dot of 6.00pm already at the bus top. She saw the bus coming and was ringing to see if I was around the corner. My husband picked the phone as I was still in the bathroom. She was very angry because the entry tickets were with me. Stucked, she had to wait for me. She had every right to be angry. The idea to travel by bus was mine. She initially suggested driving but venue being at the city central, parking will be a major problem. To get me to be on time, she decided to leave the tickets with me. (She has always frowned at me and my African timing. I’ve always been late to appointments)

Earlier, a distressed neighbour of mine buzzed on my door at about 5.10pm that evening. Her eyes heavy with tears, my husband and I sat down, listened and prayed with her. She had just discovered that her teenage son had been smoking cannabis and had been involved in some strange stuffs. I couldn’t walk out on her because I needed to go out. I was running out of time but couldn’t figure what to do. Dawn couldn’t understand what my delay was all about. I was very late.

I got to the bus stop at about 6.30pm. Dawn held herself together very well but I could see anger written all over her. We said ‘hello’ but nothing more as I was cautious not to burst her fumes. We got to the venue at about 7.15pm. It was jam-packed full. Our tickets meant we were to sit at the first floor gallery, it was all taken over. No more seats. We could hear from the entrance lobby the powerful worship song being led by Noel Robinson. 

We were still waiting to figure out what to do when an usher came to us and asked ‘Have you ladies any seats yet?’ we said ‘No’. He said ‘Ok, if you’ll come with me please’. This usher took us right to the front, the reserved seats where the guest speakers were seated.  We suddenly realised we were sitting next to Dr.Tony Campollo, the special guest speaker from America. Our pastor friend whom we have gone to honour was several seats behind us. He and his wife were shocked to see us where we sat and wondered how we got there. They thought we were late and couldn’t come in.

Yes we were late, but God, Who alone understood the reason behind our lateness, went ahead of us and reserved us seats among the guests of honour. We had good view of the platform, comfy seats, and a good feel to it. Though delayed and got there late, God arranged the best seats for us. He sat us among the VIPs, gave us a good evening. Dawn later said to me ‘Shade, thank God you came late. ‘

Romans 8:28.

Ladies! I hope you have been encouraged by this testimony. God could be doing the same thing with your marital situation. Trust Him, He is able to work it out for your good. Wait for Him. Through Jesus, our Christ, we know that the Father is true. He is your peace as you wait.