My Exodus

Lately I have been struggling to sleep, to smile, to carry out major (and small) tasks; even to eat all due to an overwhelming sense of helplessness and failure. Reaching out to my sisters has not been very fruitful due to the fact that they are also engrossed in their own sufferings and struggles. I then came to a point where I grudgingly faced the fact that I needed to go back to the basics. As a Christian woman going back to the basics means going back to the source of my faith, my Bible. This is the only thing that has been a source of inspiration, history and purpose for generations of women before me.

I have committed to read the Bible from a different perspective and will share with you some of the interesting things that I have started to pick up.

1. Living the Script

When I read the Bible I realize more and more that I am part of an awe inspiring script filled with wonders and lives that have shaped history in various amazing ways. We are called by God to be SIGNIFICANT players in His drama. We have been called to greatness, each and every one of us, all we need to do is to take up our roles and fulfill our divine destinies. Have you ever witnessed how an actor prepares for a big role? They rely heavily on their script, they live, eat and breathe their lines. Some actors will even lose or gain a lot of weight just so that they can perfectly fit into their role. As Christian women we have significant roles to play in our families, churches, communities, professions yet we refuse or neglect to put in the work that is required of us.

Living the script and finding your place in God’s story requires that you familiarize yourself with the text. You need to fully immerse yourself in the Bible in order to know your part. We have to read the Bible deeply and widely and become skilled at interpreting and practicing what we read.

We need to find our joy, comfort and purpose in the scripture.

 2. The Exodus

Once you have grasped the script and what God requires of you the next step is to live your part! When in doubt, ask yourself, “Is this an appropriate and fitting way to live out the story of Jesus today?” Remember that you are God’s artwork – created to do good works all the days of your life. When in doubt? Refer to the Bible.

In today’s world it is easy to get caught up in trying to fit in and find a place in the confusion but we need to focus on living our lives in the way that God desires for us. We have to move away from the fears and the doubts that hold us captive. We have to move to the land that the Lord has promised us – no matter what.

One way of obeying God is to stop listening to the negative voices in our heads that tell us we are not good enough, we have to move away from the people and things that hold us captive. We have to make our exodus out of depression, anger, regret, despair.

Reading about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is loaded with seasons that I have gone through. I have felt the fear, excitement, hope, despair, joy, disappointment, failure, regret, courage that they too must have felt in their journey, but after all is said and done when I hold on to the cloak of Christ I come out feeling the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. I now accept that my role may be limited to showing others the way out of their situation, it may even be to just obey and get off my behind and move from point A to point B. Maybe I am the one who has to lead the march in breaking down strongholds. I also accept that I may even have more roles than one therefore I will find my way in scripture and prayer.

I no longer feel the pressure to recite a thousand verses and to impress fellow Christians with my knowledge of every word in the Bible. Thankfully, I have now moved to a place of comfort where the Bible ceases to be a text book that I must memorize, but rather, I see it as a motivational tool in my move from the bad to the good.

 3. Commitment

Nothing in life really lasts if not done with some commitment.  The first step in the Christian walk is to commit to following Jesus no matter what may come our way. By acknowledging that Jesus is the rightful ruler of the world, committing to following Him and joining with God’s people we place ourselves on the right path to life eternal.

Remember that God has led you to where you are, commit to stay – no matter what!

One lesson that I have learnt from Joyce Meyer in her book NEVER GIVE UP! In Chapter 8 on “The Keys to Success,” is; “God wants to take you to a new level of commitment. He wants you, like the eagle to be fiercely committed to His purposes for your life and to dedicate yourself to Him.”

Remember that God’s plans for your life can only become a reality if you are truly committed.

 4. Do not Give Up!

When life has knocked you down more times than you can remember, it is easy to lose hope and feel defeated. You can lose confidence in areas where you once considered yourself to be capable, even an expert. Being someone’s anchor, friend or even mummy can sometimes feel overwhelming and become such a burdensome task.

We can face rejection after rejection, disappointment after disappointment and we just feel like throwing in the towel and totally walking away from EVERYTHING!

But Please! Do Not Give Up!

Lessons to be learnt from St Paul;

Fight the good fight

Finish the race

Firmly keep the faith.

Some of us have a long way to go, some of us are almost there but we need each other more than ever. Let us be constantly and consistently strengthened by our faith through the word of God.

Remember that to truly honour God we have to stop being self serving. We have a mission to spread the gospel and bring as many souls to Christ as possible. We are duty bound to step out of our comfort zones where fear and selfish gain abound. Let us step together day by day into everything that we have been promised by our Father.

I hope we will hear and answer to our Lord’s call to the promised land.