Looking Back & Moving On
I must say as the year 2009 comes to an end, I like many people, have been spending a lot of time thinking back and making an honest assessment of these 12 months that flew by so very fast. For me, both personally and in business, this year has been a great one and I sure am looking forward to 2010.
I recently returned from a business trip to Nigeria (I discuss my experiences in The African Maid). My trip, which lasted a week and a half, was spent traveling from city to city building our network marketing business. Things are going very well in terms of establishing our business in that country. Hence, I am giving myself permission to spend the rest of this year chilling. I hope because of this, you our readers will get a chance to read some more great articles from us as I will be blogging most of the time.
But here is what happened to me yesterday …
Have you noticed that sometimes in life, you are reminded about certain things in the most unexpected of ways? Yesterday was one of those days for me when I read this post from Prince, a friend on Facebook:
"If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1John 4:20-21).”
Immediately, I felt like Paul in the Bible when he was stopped by the voice of God asking why he was persecuting Christians. Not because I am such a horrible sinner, but because I had let myself slip in my love journey these past months.
Over the years, even before I started seeing success in our business, I always strive to walk closely with God. I have learnt that loving my neighbor is what keeps me close to Him everyday. My faith has always been and will always remain my shield. How can I say I love God, when I hate my brother?
You see, as I have gotten busy with business, spending more time on the road, my love principles began to slip. With what I do, I get to meet a lot of people from all walks of life, I am connected to them somewhere in my organization of thousands. I will admit that loving is not so easy sometimes, you must agree that people are not always very easy to deal with. It is easy to love and be a good Christian when you are dealing with folks you know.
Recently, I have gotten frustrated with people who don’t keep to their word; people who go out of their way to make life difficult; overbearing folks who think the whole world revolves around them. I even became angry with those I felt have taken advantage of Albert and I, those we helped but who never showed any appreciation; those who borrowed money from us and then disappeared; people we trusted who failed us and all that stuff.
I forgot that we all fall short of the Glory of God … I am sure I have stepped on some toes myself. We have been commanded to love each other no matter what. This bible passage from Prince totally snapped me back to reality and reminded of my duties as a Christian – I believe that God was speaking directly to me. I am glad that I was open and that I received it. I have learned to not overlook anything or anyone.
So, I spent all day praying and forgiving and making my way right with my Heavenly Father. After all, he says forgive seventy seven times seven times.
Today, I feel better and happier because I have shed the burden of un-forgiveness and left everything at the foot of the cross. I believe that my year will end better and that God will move us into 2010 with more blessings and joyful experiences. I feel reborn. And so, I encourage you to shed any feelings that are weighing you down today and cast them unto the Lord, for he is abundantly able to handle them.
Wishing you much joy this Christmas season.