Life’s Circumstances in 2019

Another year is almost at its end, and I’m genuinely unsure where all the time this year has gone! Before 2019 disappears completely, many of us are reflecting back on the last 12 months. For some, 2019 was wonderful. For others, it was a mediocre year—nothing grand, nothing terrible.

Maybe for you, it was a year of pain and disappointment. For me, there is a lot of achievements and a lot of lost, that include the lost of my lovely, jovial father-in-law, Elder Christopher Nweke Ijeh on the 11th of March, 2019 around midnight. It was one death too many. 

One of the achievement of 2019 included the Top 100 Nigeria Blogs that our blog, e.a olatoye's blog rank 105 out of thousands of blogs in Nigeria. See the list of the Top 100 Nigeria Blogs here. 

Whatever our year 2019 may look like, as we enter the last lap after the Christmas, let us have heart that sings praises to God and appreciate the Father of creation because, it is written, give thanks to God in all situation. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We can therefore learn a perfect example from Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, of how to praise God in all circumstances. If you think on how Mary must have felt after the angel Gabriel appeared to her, you will understand and learn one or two things from her. This teenage girl was a virgin and promised in marriage, but Gabriel told her she would become pregnant and give birth to God’s Son.

If you are the one in her shoe, will you belief that and how will you feel? We cannot imagine the fear that probably swept over her.

Do you know what? to my surprise Mary surrendered in her greatest moment of uncertainty to God. She told the angel in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant.” I really love that sense of contentment and trust in the Creator of the Universe! My grandfather once said, “Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than the true spirit of thankfulness.”

As curtain draw over year 2019, let us hold on to Almighty God promises and anchor ourselves in the truth of His Word. We learn in Psalm 46:1 that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

If for some reasons, you feel you have nothing to be thankful for, think again about the true meaning of Christmas, that God gave His one and only Son—for you. That will help you sing praises in your heart to God. Then count your blessings, name them one by one, it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Now, Let's go to 2020!

Let me pick a word or phrase that encapsulates a theme for the year. If I had to go back and label 2019, I’d say my theme was Integration. For 2020, I will choose the word ''Intentions''.

For me this represents a desire to unleash my powers – both at work and on my side projects, and to wildly accelerate my growth by what I intend to do.

I’m so excited about the year to come, and I hope that 2020 brings us all health, happiness, and all the success we deserve with the Creator of heavens and earth by our side.

Happy new year in advance!

Reference(s):
Cissie Graham Lynch, Holy Bible