Wednesday, May 13, 2009

In This 2009, We Will…(3)


For the previous posts in the "In This 2009 We Will…" series, please visit "We Will Pray For Others" and "We Will Worship the Lord".

I understand the pressures most singles face, whether male or female. While the world concludes that it is either being too "bad", or being too busy or being too "good" that is delaying settling down, they do not see the heart-breaks, patience or wisdom taking place.

I share with you my experience to introduce the message for this post. I call the period of waiting for my King a dark period. Years had gone by and I was not dating anyone. No guys were even glancing my way. I felt hopeless.

Mother called me one morning. She dreamt one of her daughters got married. I was the next on the waiting list. She said that coincidentally, when she woke up, she received a call from a friend who had a brother that wanted to marry me. I brought out my checklist. He fitted ALL of my expectations (including some I did not include) except one – he was not a Christian.

Rita: Mummy, I do not think he is the one for me. He is not a Christian.

Mother: My daughter, what is all this Christianity about? When did you become a Christian sef? What if this is an opportunity to bring someone to God? (Please do not judge my mummy here, lol. She is the best mother ever. She was probably under pressure herself J).

Rita: Let me think [more like pray] about it. I will get back to you.

Two weeks later, my answer was "No". It was hard and painful to say no in a time when everything was bleak. I heard words like, "You will end up never marrying. Your time has passed. Your younger ones will leave you and get married. You will forever live miserably." But I had consulted Daddy in Heaven. He had given me the answer of peace. I had dreamt years back, and I wondered why mother's coincidence was contradicting my dream. But then the Lord said to me, "Write the vision plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." [Habakkuk 2: 2-3].

As I write this post, my eyes are filled with tears because I cannot believe I was able to trust Him despite the pressures. A post is not enough to talk about the blessing He brought to me under the designation "husband". He is indeed a Faithful Father.


In this 2009, We Will Know God for Ourselves.

So often we rely on our parents, pastors or friends for their "godly" counsel. While that is good, it is now time to let go of our dependence on others and know God for ourselves.

At every stage towards receiving physically your heart's desires, you will be faced with decisions. It might be as simple as "Should I leave my house this morning?", as biting as "Do I sow a seed in the life of this person?" or as sleep-haunting as "Should I spend the rest of my life with this person?" Every response to decisions will lead you towards or away from where you should be regarding receiving what He has in store for you. While some decisions may seem easy to make, most will (and should) require seeking God.

How will we know it is God speaking to us? His sheep hear His voice. You know more about a person by spending time with the person. You also know about a person by reading the person's writings. Same principle applies with God. For more about hearing the voice of God, please read "How Do I Hear His Voice?" and "Five Hindrances to Hearing From God".

Let it be said of us that we are noble, not only to receive the word of God with all readiness of mind, but also search the scriptures daily to know for ourselves [Acts 17:11].

Enjoy a blessed week ahead.


 


 

65 comments:

Afrobabe said...

firstttttttttttt..

now lemme go read, looks like a long one.

Afrobabe said...

This speaks to my soul…time to stop begging God to help me with stuff cos of my mother and start asking on my own right...

Jay said...

Chei this afrobabe has taken my
1st position

Hmmm you are so right, enough of asking other people to pray for me. I can speak and know my hearts desires more than anyone, and am sure God would rather hear from me than someone else running my "errand" prayers.

Nice post up.

Tigeress said...

was hoping to be first. Afro- no 'wek' today?

let me go read. http://thecounselorandherthots.blogspot.com/

LusciousRon said...

I actually stopped beleiving people's definition of God I would rather go to him myself and ask for what I want. Knowledge is in the book. I can read it myself thank you.

This is on point. Very nice. Thank you for reminding us that things do work out. Just believe.

Tigeress said...

our Christian walk is personal but we all need guidiance. In the area of waiting for spouse- i feel God's time is the best. If we truly believe that He wont leave us standing and trust Him to take care of it- it'll come. It's hard not to wonder when will it be my turn but there are a lot of folks who got married at the 'right time' and wishing to get out now.

Check out this book- it's a must! Choosing God's Best by Dr. Don Raunikar.
http://thecounselorandherthots.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

God bless you for this post

Jennifer A. said...

The amount of information we get from others about God can never be up to the amount of revelation we will get by spending our own intimate time with God (for ourselves). No pastor or friend can give us that...

Anonymous said...

I'm blessed by this...thanx a bunch Rita...

Blogoratti said...

Thanks for sharing that.

Flourishing Florida said...

this is beautiful!!!!!! very insiriping. thank u dear 4 sharing!






New posts on Ruffin’ It and BAMBINA. We have a BAMBINA contributor, y'all. A dude!!! He is sharing his story of how he 'cornered' his woman & got her pregnant!! Next week, Brown Girl will be sharing her antenatal experience & more. Be sure to drop by again. Plus, new contributors are still being sought, so feel free to add your own story. Visit http://idreamtofu.blogspot.com for details on how.

Adaeze said...

Rita your words are refreshing to my soul.

jhazmyn said...

So spot on Rita...what we learn by our experiences with God far outweighs what others tell us about Him...its so profound when we know and experience His love or guidance or provision or assurance or whatever..for ourselves

Danny BaGucci said...

Nice.. thx for the reminder....

bob-ij said...

It's true. I try my hardest to involve God in the decisions I make. It's easy to forget and think that the issue is too little.

But I hope to listen closely to God's voice. Thanks very much for this!

x!

Kafo said...

hmmm this is so true
i think i should get an award just cuz i have the most comments on your blog oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

lol
but yeah
this is soo true and honestly for mii i think the problem with the Hab chpt 2 verses that i have memorized
is that he never told mii he would do anything, there is no vision
no explicit Kafo this is yours and so i wonder everyday if he said no years ago and i just didn't get the telegram

Rita said...

@Afrobabe: - And you will be amazed that standing on ur own right will bring more results…Been long since you were first on EROLyrics, lol…

@Wordmerchant: - lol @ errand prayers, new word for me but perfectly fits. Thanks.

@LusciousRon: - someone was talking about his visit to heaven and he said most of the people he saw were not pastors but ordinary individuals. I asked myself why, and I realized those are people who must have believed and found out for themselves.
Thank you for your comment.

@Tigeress: - Thank you for the reference. Going to check it out now. Someone once told me that most people who waited for a spouse end up valuing the person more and had better relationships than those who hurried into marriage.

@Anonymous: - You are welcome.

@ Jaycee: - So perfectly said and very encouraging (as usual).

@Justdoyin: - You’re welcome.

@Blogoratti: - You are welcome.

@FFF: - Thank you. I have not been able to leave comments on BAMBINA…

@Adaeze: - Thank you very much.

@Jhazmyn: - I like the way you concluded with “…for ourselves”, and somehow I felt some “power” in your words…Thank you.

@Danny BaGucci: - You’re welcome.

@Bob-ij: - You are welcome. You will get there one step at a time.

@Kafo: - Mii Lady, I have created a hall of fame, just for you, :-)
God never says “no” to what He has promised.

poeticallytinted said...

Hmmm, this is hardcore. How are you doing dear?

James said...

The God you know is the God that will work for you.Intimacy with God leads to revelation. This is a season for step by step walk in revelation.

CaramelD said...

Thank you so much Rita, I really needed to hear this. Of late I feel like I can't connect anymore to God and it's horrible. You have allowed me to have hope not to give up.

Anonymous said...

Ok Rita, you must by now be tired of reading about how lucky you are to have discovered one of God's gift in your life which is to encourage others in the right way of the Lord.

All I will say is KUDOS.

God bless you. I am a fan of yours.

taKia and God bless

Modupe said...

This is so profound..and after reading it i couldnt help saying.." In this 2009, I will know God for myself..
Thanks for sharing mami..God bless u plenty...plenty..

Beulah! said...

Eh Rita, u have blessed my soul with this post. Thank u very much...

busybee said...

Nice one Rita. Total trust in God even when its looking now a 'now or never' situation is priceless.
And to know him for yourself, by yourself is a blessing...everyday its like opening up a new package...so revealing.

1 + The One said...

Your testimony is very inspiring and encouraging, God bless you

Straight from the heart said...

In his time he makes all things beautiful, it takes great strenght and resolve to remain faithful to God in times like this, especially in matters of waiting and for a life partner for that matter, but God sees your committment to his ways and he will beautify your live with the perfect person at the appointed time.

olusimeon said...

wow..rita.this is flamin hawt..asin..you cpould't have conjured these words up..all by urself
thanks for being a blessing..

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

This is such a great piece. The pressure to get married affects so many women I know (especially African). My aunt recently said..."I am now willing to marry ANYTHING that comes my way"...
It speaks alot of your faith in God that you were able to trust and wait. Beautiful piece. Reminds me of a piece recently written by Ekene Onu on her new blog livelovefaith

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Word.... !!!

No matter the amount or quality of information or teaching we get from others, we need to take it back to God for verification and confirmation. God says, the plans he has for us are good, they are not to harm us. What best than to go back to the person who wrote the plan and has the plan in his hand, to tell us the next step of our lives...

All that we go through helps us focus firmly on God, this in turn builds in us, endurance and patience - which is for our own good. These helps us to grow in the knowledge and understanding of who God is and the plan He has for our lives...

Thanks for sharing girl.. hope you've had a great week.. .:-)

much luv x

Anonymous said...

hmmm, thanks for coming again to my blog. Been sooo long :).


Well first of all I must add that your tears are therapetic. I am sure that any decision that you decide would be with the help of God and your mom.

AliceDCL said...

All we can pray for is for him to give us the grace to be patient and listen when he call.
let his word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

aloted said...

thanks for sharing ur testimony. the lord certainly rewards those who diligently seek him and trust in him.

disguisedfeelings said...

another soul-touching one Rita. how do u do it? may His grace upon u b ever-flowing. hav a good weekend.

Spesh said...

Nice write up,girl......

The Activist said...

awww, this is feeIs so good and I am so Iate in commenting and taIking 2 God on our own is a rewarding exprience

David C Brown said...

In His grace He will work in our lives so that we learn Him, which even more than all of His blessings.

Emeka Amakeze said...

No one can really knows more about a product than the maker and so does God know about us more than anybody else. We can get to share in that His knowledge about us when we have a personal relationship with him; relating to Him one on one.

Roc said...

Appreciated reading that..
Thanks for sharing..

Original Mgbeke said...

You are soo encouraging Rita. I am off to read the posts about hearing God's voice. We must truly trust in him for real.

PS:- Abeg do a Q&A post for Christians who are trying to draw closer. :-)

Unknown said...

This is so comforting babes and so inspiring..Nice post babes.. You are blessed. Miss ya.

*Diane* said...

Thank you for this post...sometimes most ppl..well me, already know the answer, but are lazy and comfortable.my daily prayer is for the strength to stand up and fight.... once again, thanks.

Dayo Nigeria said...

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection" that's what the bible says not that you will know Him for me. I love this because its one of the greatest lessons I learnt recently and working on. More grease to your already greased elbow.

Bunmmy said...

true...waiting is hard, waiting on God seems like forever but HE's always on point. i need to remember that too

Omo Oba said...

Did I tell u i love reading your posts? Think everyone has said what I want to say so I will just say that this really really spoke to me, and I can imagine y u teared up while writing this...He (God) will always come thru for us. He promised.

NG said...

I was truly blessed by such a beautiful post. The gift of speech, you have it.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

There's so much pressure to be like the world, and there is always a struggle to be Godly-like.

All the best with your work, and please don't let the world's pressures wear you down and compromise yourself.

You have strength, you've shown it, and a strong belief in God, continue wherever your God-influenced wisdom takes you.

All the best and God Bless you.

Anonymous said...

uhm, ou est mon comment?
I dont see my comment

Writefreak said...

Amen! I will listen to God for myself!
How're you dear?

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I was around....

taKia and God bless

Lady A said...

I agree with Jaycee!
Guys, remember, in the end we will have to answer to God.

Unknown said...

nice post, it really makes one think.

Kémi Penélopê said...

I do hope you are doing wonderful? It has been a really loooooooonnnnngggg we read from you last...abeg hala us back o but most of all, take care of your wonderful self.

Isabella said...

well thank God for direcying you. I m sure your mother just wants the best for you, bless her.

m1ke said...

very kools stuff you have there. I'm trapped to this post, hmm

wellsbaba said...

it is sooooooo difficult hangin on to d father especially wen its takin tooo long n theres a lot of pressure from different quarters...ow u doin...long tym...guess whose back???

Rebirth said...

i miss u.,.... where r u?

The Activist said...

where are thou?

~Sirius~ said...

I think it's divine that I came here today.....

It's so unlike me- not checking your blog out immediately you put a post up.

But yesterday night, I had to make a serious decision.......and I went to bed telling God.....that He was to give me the answer to that decision........I asked to hear His voice.....

Thanks.

It's been a while.....is it work taking you away.

Hope you are ok.

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Hmmm. thank you so much for sharing this.

How are you?

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Hmmm. thank you so much for sharing this.

How are you?

Original Mgbeke said...

Rita, what I meant was a lot of us are new in our faith and need constant encouragement. I bet we also have questions as well so why not set up a little Q&A session where we may ask questions and you or any other blogger can answer? i.e I have a bunch of questions about hearing God's voice, knowing his vision for me etc etc. Some of the Q's might even seem silly but I am genuinely curious. Well, see if anyone else is interested sha, cos I guess you will need more curious people to even get it popping.

:-)

Original Mgbeke said...

Not a problemo. I'll be out for the whole of next week so please wait for me ooo. Thanks! :-)

Roc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Buttercup said...

May God continue to bless you for touching our lives, amen. I hope you're well, Rita? Been a while!

Emilia said...

Rita you can touch the heart you are gifted

latishababy said...

nice.
I love that you are a xtian
ur post totally encourages me
especially the one about hearing from God.
My spiritual leader tried to tell
me worship does'nt move God
and i wouldn't have it.