2014: Courage Required

(Highlights from New Year’s Eve prayer call. There was a slight technical glitch after minute 2, but the call can be accessed in its entirety at (712) 432-1202 / Access Code: 597446# )

For many of us 2013 has been an interesting year with many twists, turns, joys and pains, but thanks be to God we made it through. I have been hearing in my spirit the word “courage.” It has been a theme I have heard all last year.

The New Interpreter’s Dictionary defines courage as  “spiritual, emotional and moral fortitude to speak and act without fear in the face obstacles and dangers.”

Day-by-day we confront obstacles and dangers, and to navigate through them we have needed courage. Someone mustered up some courage when you went to ask your supervisor for a raise in 2013. Someone else mustered up some courage when you went and requested a meeting with your child’s principal. There are many instances where we have had to ask God “give me some strength and some courage."

I have been thinking about the past year and I realized that there are some areas in my life where I could have been more productive, but I allowed fear and doubt to consume me and talk me out of some things. There were times where I lacked courage.

You can have book and common sense, but you will also some courage.

My prayer is that we will continue to pray for God to strengthen all of us. So that we can become the people of God we are destined to be and not be overwhelmed by all that we feel may be coming against us.

It takes courage to to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God

It takes courage to raise God fearing children

It takes courage to be single and celibate

It takes courage to resign from your job and pursue your calling or passion

It take courage to while in the midst of sickness tell your medical team that you are healed

It takes courage to undergo chemotherapy and look at the tubes and mumble Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes I am healed”

It will take courage to believe you can love again, after your heart has been broken or there has been divorce, or abandonment.

It is going to take courage to go on without that loved one who may have transitioned this year.

It is going to take some courage to get through the year ahead.

But I hear the words God said to Joshua after the death of Moses as recorded in Joshua 1:9: ”Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I am praying that God takes me to some amazing places next year, and I trust God will be with me no matter where I go.

When Jesus summoned those who were sick for their healing, he told them to “take heart.” That’s what he told the woman with the issue of blood. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”

When the disciples were terrified in the the storm, Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”

People of God, take heart! Take heart and trust God to help you do what you aren’t strong enough to do. Take heart, and trust God to get you to where you need to go in 2014!

As always, continue to look and live! Dr. Lele

Did you get the lesson?

Today we find ourselves breathing through the last Sunday of a year we’ll never see again. God has been speaking to me concerning my own affairs as well as giving insight on things I should share with others. This time of year brings introspection and reflection that some might choose to avoid. I ask you to say “hello” to Gabriel if you have lived 363 day without stress, money problems, fear, pain, or anything likened to human angst. While the memories of some of our joys have been short lived, we remember the pains.

As I reflected on some events in my own life and how I responded or failed to respond, I heard God say “Did you get the lesson?”  Point. Blank. Period.

Did I get the lesson? Did you get the lesson?

At the core of my being I believe God is not wasteful. We may call an abundance of rain a flood while for God there is a providential plan for the waters that disrupt our driving and damage our shoes.

Whether it was a relationship that didn’t go your way or another matter that didn’t end as suspected, know that it was a learning module for the journey.

For months I asked God why a situation turned out the way it did. Why me? Why did it not turn out in my favor? I’m righteous. I’m called. At one point I got a little indignant and said, “Really, God?”  See, in the midst of the situation God sent other messages with words to encourage a different path. Oh, I thanked them for their suggestions then chose to do it my way. Just recently, I had to send someone a note to thank her for the wisdom I could not hear in that season. Now, I am left with God saying, “Did you get the lesson?”

Beloved, I did get the lesson. And because of God’s grace, it is a lesson I learned while being prepared on the backside of the desert before God sends me to lead God’s people.

For some, such lessons are costly. But because God is not wasteful, God will allow us to get the necessary learning before the costs are so great. Will we listen? Will we heed the warnings and embrace the wisdom sent to through priest, prophets and everyday people? God will send us notes through everyday people. Yes, even a dude at a bar who looks at you and says, “You’re not even suppose to be in here.” (Fast forward 16 years :) )

I trust there were many lessons to be learned this year, but it will require you to slow down, take some notes, or review the ones already compiled. No electronic devices needed, but this will require an open heart and mind willing to hear the Teacher’s still small voice.

As always, continue to look and live!

Dr. Lele