Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
“To everything there is a season, and
a time for every purpose under the heavens”
Personally, the year 2012
should have started with a spiritual exercise in prayer for various reasons and
issues. And it did. There was repentance and clearing up or de-cluttering,
anticipation and excitement, sorrow and acceptance, as well as repose and
trusting; with some general ups and downs, storms, sunshine and the rain. I
remember the big and small meetings, the lonely times as well as the most
perplexing and joyous and awe-inspiring, breath-taking moments! I am sure you
too recall something of this sort.
The year had begun and
ended with the exhausting and interestingly terrifying bus trips to
Dar-es-salaam and a fleet drive back home. One of the highlights on the closing
trip to Dar was the fresh awe-inspiring panorama of the magnificent Tonga
Mountains, with one of God’s ancient promise symbols. A rainbow with a soft
radiance projected smoothly in the sky lit with the silky setting sun that
beamed through quiet and gentle showers, was fabulous to behold!
This time, the driver
drove in an unusually calm manner and handled the longest bus I have ever been
on, with ease and it prompted people to eagerly peep on the side cliff. I took
short glances too, deeply savouring the natural mixed scent accorded through a
therapeutic breeze, as though I was not engrossed with “Preach the Word” by
Denis Lane. I revived one of my disciplines that usually characterise my
travelling by public transport – reading! The hot weather and people standing
next and almost elbowing me from time to time, made it difficult to concentrate
but I persevered. And the reality is that there may be no benefit without
perseverance.
I could not be more
grateful to the Lord because the year ended with God’s innumerable blessings! The
blessing of spiritual growth, maturity and serving, of family and true friends.
Of vocation and increase and progress. These I count above His discipline, above
sorrow, disappointments and failure, loss and pain, or danger and above any
affliction (most of which are blessings in the negative). To the holy and
almighty, eternal and immortal, invisible, gracious and only wise God be
praise, glory and dominion forever and ever amen!
