Another purposeful year!
Some people say, “Another year around the sun”…cool and cliche.
For me, a new year means a new lease on life.
A new chapter in the story of destiny.
A new season of endless possibilities.
Much more than counting time, a new year motivates me to make the time count.
I am not just counting my “trips around the sun.”
I aim to light up my world, being a source of joy and strength to everyone that crosses my path.
Earlier this year, I was nervous about my birthday. I was panicking because age 40 is closer than ever.
I began to pressure myself to “accomplish” so much for reaching the 40th milestone.
It was so bad that I miscalculated my age and thought I was going to turn two years old than I am now.
My husband kept telling me to calm down, saying gently, “Age is just a number.”
Eventually, I took his advice and calmed down.
In a different scenario, those two words would evoke negative emotions.
Those two words would be fighting words in the heat of a misunderstanding. haha…I am getting better, I promise.
But, I really needed to calm down!
So here it is, the date that I once dreaded.
Now, I am full of gratitude; the past year of my life has been splendid.
I’ve done things that I never thought I could do.
I enjoyed strength like never before.
I’ve grown, I’ve healed, and I’ve learned to love on a great dimension.
Over the past year, God has become more real, and I want more!
His purpose for my life has started to make “sense.”
Things have started to align…the sacrifices have been worth it.
At the beginning of each year, I ask the Lord to give me a word and or scripture for the year.
This year, he gave me a verse of scripture, and it led me to coin the phrase “Yes, Lord!”
I accepted God’s invitation to be his ‘Yes man’ for the feminist in the house, his ‘Yes woman’
I had personal plans, but he showed me that he had other plans…greater plans… time-consuming plans… capacity-building plans…
Over the last year, I’ve asked this question on many occasions “Why me?”
When I remembered the commitment that I made to God at the beginning of the year, I’d share “Yes, Lord” instead!
Sometimes, it’ll be a mere whisper or a decision I made after going back and forth in my mind.
It wasn’t always easy, comfortable, or convenient
I was placed in positions where I had no choice but to JUST DO IT!
Over the last few weeks, some things happened to people, I love dearly, and it was heartbreaking.
It was difficult…it still is…they lost loved ones, and I often struggled to find the words to say.
I’ve never had to use the following phrase this much in my life “I pray that the Lord comforts and strengthens you and your family during this time.”
Being a pastor, grants you access to various times, seasons, incidences, occasions, etc of people’s lives
When members of my church family are hurt; I feel their pain.
Having to attend the second funeral in my life was nerve-wracking.
After the funeral of my church member’s nephew, something struck me.
Everyone that spoke at his funeral had great things to say about him; one thing was certain, he touched everyone he came in contact with and left a lasting impact.
He was a young man, yet he transformed his world for the better.
In the end, it didn’t matter that he was not married, did not have any children, or hadn’t completed his college degree.
All that mattered was that he had a relationship with Jesus and lived for him!
I walked out of the church where the funeral was held and was challenged to do better.
No more misplaced priorities.
No more wasting time on things that don’t have eternal value.
It is time to soar…time to go harder…time to kick it up several notches…
The other day, I got some news that threatened to seep joy out of me…but I knew better
Same devil…same wack tricks…it was a distraction
So I started to laugh hysterically…
I spoke the Word of God over that situation…
And danced over it; I understand the password of praise!
Here is my encouragement for you, God loves you, and he is good.
When things don’t make sense and try to take your breath away, win that battle by faith.
You may not find the words to say in prayer, but you can praise God in the revelation of who he is,
God is a healer, provider, protector, way maker, and protocol breaker…trust him and praise your way into breakthroughs!
So TODAY and for the rest of the month, I will be celebrating! I will be throwing praise parties daily! Because the God I serve is real! He is true to his Word! 🙌💃🔥
Join me in thanking God for another year on this side of eternity!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!
With lots of love,
– Bunmi Adebiyi
Wait before you go:
1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won’t make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the ‘SAY YES’ tab at the top of the page and be saved!
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