Thought of Today

When it comes to prayer and/or ushering God's presence, the environment and atmosphere are two separate things. The church is an environment, you can be present there and still not experience God's presence even after much worship and this happens due to various reasons. However, when you are in a place within that really wants, hungers or yearns for God's presence and you put your focus and energy into that, that's when (for me) God's presence starts settling in filling me with serenity. This happens at home, church and even in a quiet bathroom because God's presence is not contained in a specific environment. One can be in church but focused on other things or the mind is deeply disturbed that even when the worshippers set the atmosphere for you, God's presence feels out of reach. Therefore, the environment is where you are in, the atmosphere is what you create. The environment is external and the atmosphere is internal/spiritual.

Partnership

We all have dreams and when you are born again, that makes God our partner in seeing our dreams realised. Afterall He appointed us for specific plans even before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). In every successful progressive relationship, two qualities are required; communication and willingness. Communication is important so that both parties are on the same page. Understanding what role each one plays and what is required to progress. The willingness to do your part is important as this not only leads to progress but also strengthens the relationship because no one is burdened by the other. Moreover, as time goes trust, integrity, accountability amongst other things are built. One can communicate but without willingness, not much or nothing is achieved.

Understanding the part we play in God's promises or our dreams being realised is of the utmost crucial. Partnership from both sides stemming from communication and willingness is important. Think of a team of two people rowing in a double scull boat at a competition.  A double scull boat requires both competitors to use both hands to row. The technique is discussed and practised beforehand. When one individual decides that he/she is tired or don't do their best, not only will the team fail but also they both suffer the consequences.

Fortunately for us, God does His part and we have to do our part so that there is progress. At times we do our part without consulting our partner and then things don't work out. It is important to also submit to the timing of God, after all, He knows the path we have to take and what time we should take certain steps. Failure to do our part due to procrastination (thief of progress), disobedience, faithlessness, sin and amongst other things may delay your progress. Therefore, delaying oneself for whatever reason may also be delaying the work that the Lord wants to do in and through you. The good news is God gives us several chances because He is patient. When we repent and remain focused on the vision we have been given and get back to the path that He constructed for us, much can be accomplished more than we can ever think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) for the benefit of others and ourselves.

Do good there's a reward

I  was taught to do good to those who needed help and those who could return the favour when I needed it. I called the latter the boomerang effect ones. When I was 14 years old I volunteered in at a soup kitchen in the East Coast. The organisers would go to the supermarket and get almost expired food for free. I was part of a team of three elderly ladies that worked there. Our job was to turn the food that was brought in into a meal. First, we would throw away any food items that smelt spoiled or rotten (in the case of vegetables). Whatever remained, we would use it to make soup. One thing I loved about the place is how everyone was so peaceful and happy there. The organisation which was Christian based would also provide the volunteers with food at lunchtime. The atmosphere was beautiful and serene. Anyway, out of the vegetables we made soup which would be eaten with bread. One day, I tagged along with the team that went to the city centre in Durban. There there were poor people, some slept on the streets, while others were unemployed as a result they couldn't afford to eat. My task for that day was to pour soup in the styrofoam cups and hand it to the people who had already foamed a line. Thereafter, they would receive two slices of bread from the next volunteer. Some were thankful, others said nothing but showed a face of gratitude while others would insult you in their mother tongue thinking that you don't understand what they were saying. What they said was enough to make me change my attitude towards them. Since I was limited in my speech (I mean I came with a Christian organisation), my only vengeance was to put less soup in their cups. I opted no to do that, rather I gave them a look of disapproval to let them know I understood all they said.  Afterwards, those who wanted would sit on the grass and listen to the preacher preach.

Doing good may not buy you your salvation (Ephesians 2:9) but it has its rewards. Jesus gave a parable of a man who invited his friends for a great feast (Luke 14:15-24) and all had excuses of why they couldn't come. Eventually, the man sent his servants to invite those on the street, who people looked upon or outcasts for lack of a better word. This man invited those who could not repay him. God rewards those who do good to those who cannot pay back (Luke 14:14). When you are good to those who can pay you back, your reward is that they paid you back (Luke 14:12) and probably you find favour with them. Moreover, the bible says in my own words that there’s nothing special about that since even sinners do that (Luke 6:33).  Doing good towards your enemies (besides heaping coals on their heads) will be like acting like Christ and He will give you your reward.  The reward may not be here on earth but in heaven where I believe it is multiplied than what you gave on earth. I call this laying treasures in heaven where neither moths can eat nor thieves can break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). However, when you do good, do it out of love as Jesus did all He did out of love. Do not be weary in doing good for in the proper time we will reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9). In this world, it’s a choice to plant seeds to harvest in the next life. Therefore, do good to all even those that do not deserve it, for you shall reap the rewards.