Goodbye May!

Changing Seasons

It’s been a great time of fellowship.

People popularly refer to you as the month of grace, and so have you been to me. I had my seasonal reminder of just how I am nothing without God in my life. His grace is what sustains me. I sure need Him every second of every minute; every minute of every hour; every hour of every day; every day of every month and every month of every year. Of a truth, like Jesus said, “we can do nothing without Him." [John 15:5]

It is healthy to still be able to bleed. It keeps one's heart in check. It reminds one he is still human, pliable, and reachable. It is said that during the Roman Triumph, in which a great hero was recognized by a procession through the city, generally for a military victory, a slave was positioned behind them, whispering in their ear:

"Memento mori." (Roughly speaking, means, "Remember that thou art a man.)

Just how truly ingenious they were. They knew something we all need to learn. They understood the ways of man, "easily fooled, bloated, and kicking." Thinking he has arrived and attained invincibility, hypnotized and intoxication by temporal, fleeting achievements.

The ancients sure were deeper than we are. They knew things about human nature, we need to learn from. We all can benefit from their practice if only to protect our hearts. We ought continually to whisper to ourselves,

"Remember thou art man. Your days are numbered. Use them wisely." 

"You are not, and will never be sufficient in yourself. You are incomplete and naked, without the Almighty in your life." 

"Guide your heart in humility and meekness, so He can lift you up." 

"Only Him who God lifts up truly stands." 

And, the psalmist so beautifully corroborates this, by telling us,

“If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard. It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those he loves, while they are asleep.” (Psalm 127:1-2, GNT)

I know where my help comes from. It does not come from my place of work; my connections; my networks; my bank account; my family ties, etc. My help comes from the Lord who has made heaven and earth. He will not let me fall. He stands to watch over me, over my life 24/7. His insurance is complete, all-round protection. I need not fear anything, person or authority. The Lord protects me from all danger. He keeps me safe. He protects my coming in and my going out now and forever. [Psalm 121]

I treasure my time in the Word and prayer every day. I treasure building my faith praying in the Holy Spirit. I treasure allowing the Holy Spirit to help my infirmity in the place of prayer. I treasure speaking mysteries to God, in the place of prayer. [Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:2] I stay connected to my SOURCE. He is my difference-maker. If the story of my life could be said in two words, it will be, “But God.”

It has been a month of transition from the coronavirus lockdowns to economies opening back up. A month of fears, concerns, uncertainties in different quarters, losses and gains, different strokes for different people. In the midst of it all, I just had a strange feeling and question. What if I was the only reason God (allowed) shut down the whole world? Was it worth it? Will He be pleased He did? Did He get returns through me? Have I been the Ephesians 5:15-16 Christian through this period?

Have I been very careful how I lived, not being like those with no understanding, but living honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times? Have I taken full advantage of every day as I spend my life for His (God's) purposes?

Can you ask the same of yourself? How do you score? Well, you still have till midnight to leave your ark in May 2020. May God continue to help each of us as we fall into His hands available for His purpose. May His will ever and always be our deepest and overriding passion.

We welcomed the summer season, this month. Changing seasons remind us that everything has an expiry date. Our place is to make the best and right use of each season of our life. May we never be found wanting.

“In Him, we are covered. All that is ours is flowing in. we are like the tree that grows beside a stream, that bears fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. we succeed in everything we do.” [Psalm 1:3]

I am grateful for the gift of life, health, my family (immediate and extended), my friends, my colleagues, my online family (Facebook, Twitter, Workplace, Blogger, and HubPages). I am grateful to God for the burdens being lifted and the yokes being broken. I am grateful for the testimonies. I am honored to be a part of your lives. I am honored to be a part of what God is doing in this day and age. Thanks, everyone for your partnership.

Okay May, it’s been a great time of fellowship. See you in a year’s time.

© 2020 Akin Akinbodunse