Category: Following Jesus

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So Refreshing!

Today I invite you to take a trip with me down memory lane . . . first to my childhood, then to my early twenties! Come along with me, won’t you? 

For as long as I can remember, I wanted people to like me. I sought approval. Not to mention that I worried about everything. My guess is that this attitude came from my father leaving when I was a just a toddler. Somewhere in my little soul, I must have felt unloved because my mum was busy navigating her new life as a single parent while caring for my almost newborn sibling. Every time I think about my younger self, my heart goes out to that little girl . . . she had to navigate complex issues at such a tender age.  

So here I was, wanting people to like me and ready to try almost anything to “fit in.” As you can imagine, I found myself in places that I shouldn’t have been, and with friends that weren’t the best company for me. This is pretty much how I lived. That is, until somewhere in my mid-twenties when the company I worked for quietly decided to close down their Kenya office. I lost my job when they gradually started laying off people. 

And you know what? With the job went many of my friends! As you can imagine, my worries doubled! Actually, they more like quadrupled! In my seemingly endless spare time, I began to find comfort in writing prayers asking God to get me a new job and new friends (who would like me, of-course). I believed in God; which is why I penned the prayers. I also wanted to have a meaningful relationship with God. But, I worried that I couldn’t obey all His commandments, and I was unwilling to commit to rules I knew I couldn’t keep. Neither did I want to give up things I was doing that He didn’t like; and they were many! 

At about this time, I made a new friend and she invited me to a women’s gathering; which turned out to be a Bible study. Then, one day, while I was at this Bible study, I discovered something completely new that I had never heard before: 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

I was surprised to discover that a relationship with God is a gift He gives, and not a set of rules to follow. So, quietly, at home, on my own, I told God that I wanted to accept His gift of salvation, and have a relationship with Him. 

That was quite a while back. Since then, I’ve learnt to pray about everything; and I mean everything! Rather than worry endlessly about all manner of things, I pray. Also, because I now know that God loves me as I am, I’m healing from the need to have people’s approval. Which means I am free to be myself because I’m not doing or saying things to get anyone to like me. (And no–I’m not going around saying mean things or acting irresponsibly!) It’s so refreshing to just be myself!

Oh! And God did give me new friends and a new job.  

In fact, as I write this, I am reminded that God works all things together for the good of His children. What started off as unemployment brought me salvation, new friends, and an entirely new and unexpected career. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 NIV

Isn’t God wonderful? ❤️

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He is at Work!  

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.”                                               Philippians 2:13 NIV

Ever given thought to what this verse really means? Another version says “God brings forth the desire and effort.” This verse came to mind as I reflected on two conversations I had over the past two (consecutive) Fridays. These conversations revealed a new me that I was unaware existed. 

Friday One: I received a call asking me to re-send payment details for bank transfer I had done a month ago. This accountant was reconciling his books and couldn’t find the payment I made. I did as asked, then he called to say he still couldn’t find the payment. I confidently told him to check with their bank because the transaction had cleared on my end. Then, as we were speaking, I found myself saying that I too would check with my bank just to be sure. I wasn’t sure why I said that, because I had confirmed that the transaction was successful, but since I had said it, I had to check. And you know what? It turned out that the transaction was reversed into my account a day after the payment, and I missed this on my statement! So, while I was confident that I had made payment and the error must be on their end, it turned out that this wasn’t the case! I promptly called the accountant back and told him what had happened, and then I thanked God that He had kept me from being brash. 

Friday Two: A friend and I were chatting. She and I often have differing views on some aspects of how to live out our faith. On this day, our conversation veered in the direction of one of our differences. As she shared her view on a certain matter, I was surprised to find that I was unusually open to hearing and considering her view. This is in contrast to the usual <silent> opposition that would be in my heart. When I got home, I looked up a verse that we had discussed, and it ended up being that the Lord was pointing me to the part B of this verse—the part she and I didn’t discuss. I let my friend know that she was right, and again thanked God for using her to pass on a word from Him. 

On Friday One, I took note that my heart’s disposition had shifted—softened a bit—but didn’t dwell on it much. So on Friday Two I took time to compare the two conversations. My conclusion was that without my knowledge, the Lord had been working a new level of humility in me. He had been working in me the ability to “consider others as better than myself” (Philippians 2:3). And, He made this change in me without my having to do anything! 

I am reminded that for as long as we are committed to spending time in God’s presence, He will be at work transforming us, and making us more Christ-like. 

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV

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I Can’t, But God Can!

This is part two of a previous post, which you can catch here.

Back to 1 Samuel 20 . . . Jonathan could have been content in the knowledge that he was next in line to be king, and sided with his father, King Saul, about harming David. Jonathan was after all the one set to benefit most if David was out of the way. But Jonathan chose to do what is right—he told his father that his treatment of David was unfair, and then he advised David to flee. Jonathan acted righteously! 

What came to mind at the end of this story was every-day situations that we face. For example, how many of us see our mothers mistreat our sisters-in-law and say nothing? How many of us are hesitant to warmly welcome our brother’s wife into the family? How many of us see our brothers or husbands speak hurtfully to children and say nothing? How many of us treat some children in the family better than others? Or distinguish between how we treat children from the city and those from the village? How many of us listen in silence while one friend gossips about another? Or, how many of us are unwilling to care for an ageing parent who neglected/abandoned us as children? A whole number of day-to-day situations flashed through my mind, and I confess that I have certainly not always acted righteously. There is massive room for me to change my outlook and constantly ask myself, “how would I want to be treated in this situation?” Plus learn to speak up in love and not judgement . . . 

It feels like a enormous change is required, and I know that I certainly cannot do it on my own. Which is why I am so grateful that when I confess my sin to God, He is faithful to forgive me and forget my sin (1 John 1:9). Then I can go ahead and ask Him to give me the grace to love people . . . because I acknowledge that I cannot do this in my own effort.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.” 
Philippians 2:13 NIV

Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a God who gives us His Spirit to work in us so we are able to do the things He desires and asks of us? Especially so for the things that we cannot do on our own?

Thank You, Jesus! ❤️

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I Already Know This, Or Do I?

I’m doing some research and needed to understand what the word “righteous” really means. And, I wanted to get it in a way that I could explain it to a child.

It’s a word that we use rather often . . . especially if you are in the habit of reading the Bible. Perhaps, like me, you are in the habit of reminding yourself what the Bible says:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
1 Cor 5:21 NIV

Which is why I was doing my study from an “I already know what this means” perspective. I was truly shocked to realise I knew little about what it means to be righteous. And now that I think about it, I can’t quite explain what I thought it meant before. I think it was an abstract concept in my mind—something along the lines of doing what God or the Bible says. Which in itself isn’t wrong, but extremely general in meaning. 

I dove into chapter twenty of 1 Samuel. The story of Jonathan and David coming up with a plan to verify whether King Saul really intended to kill David. And here’s what I learnt: whereas before I would have stated that Jonathan was simply a good friend, now I see that in this instance, he acted in righteousness. 

Before I tell you why I think this, let me tell you what I’ve concluded is the meaning of righteous: it is the ability to do right, or treat others right. You know like what Jesus said in the Golden Rule, “do to others as you would have them do to you . . . ” (Matthew 7:12). And, righteous actions flow out of the love inside you. The brotherly (or sisterly!) kind of love where you want what’s best for the other person. 

Can you imagine what it would be like if we, followers of Jesus, treated people right? Can you imagine how easy it would be to share the gospel? 

Lord, help us! Fill our hearts with Your love, and give us the grace to treat others how we would like to be treated.

Look out for part two . . .  

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Best Discovery Ever

Here to testify has brought back memories of my early days as a follower of Jesus. And how friendship with Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to me. 

You see, back then, I lived in my head. I was constantly worrying what people thought of me, and wondering whether they liked me. My family background made me feel unlikeable. Which made it incredibly important for me to please others and, even more so, to fit in. One of the key things I did to fit in was to become a party girl. 

In my late twenties I lost my job due to downsizing. It dawned on me then that my friends were not genuine friends, because they didn’t seek me out much when I could no longer afford to hit the clubs with them. This got me thinking that I needed new friends, and I went ahead to pen a prayer in my journal asking God for new friends. 

Not too long after, I  made a few new friends. One of them invited me to join her at a certain weekly Bible study. I’m not sure why I said yes, but I suspect it was partly because I was worried what she would think if I refused to go with her. A few months into the Bible study, I leant something I did not know about God. I discovered that being saved wasn’t about God giving us rules to follow, but about friendship with Him. A friendship that God offers as a free gift. So quietly, one evening alone in my flat, I told God that I wanted this free gift. 

Here I am about fifteen or so years later, and I love the fact that I can talk to God about anything, anytime. Which means I now spend less time worrying. Plus, I’ve learnt that God created me perfectly just as I am and I don’t need to please others to fit in. I can be myself, and because God loves me, I don’t need to be consumed by thoughts of whether people like me.

I’m certain that without this discovery and my friendship with God, I’d be a worry-wart and aimlessly seeking approval from others.  


"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." 
Ephesians 2:8—9 NIV
"I thank you because I am awesomely made,
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well."
Psalm 139:14 CJB

Thank You, Jesus, for Your friendship! ❤️

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City On a Hill

A few years ago I got to go on a tour of the Holy Land. The trip unexpectedly came together at the very last minute, long after I had given up all hope of joining that particular tour. As I write this I am reminded how God often works things out at the eleventh hour! If you’re a Kenyan, then you know how we are a nation of “last-minuters”— it must be the one character trait of God that we bear collectively!

Then, yesterday my bible reading took me to a verse that always reminds me of this tour . . . 

As our bus made its descent into Jerusalem, a cluster of houses suddenly jumped out at me. There was nothing fancy about their architecture—they were entirely ordinary—yet something made them stand out.

The houses were extremely conspicuous. Impossible to miss! 

You probably can’t tell from this blurry photo taken from a moving bus . . . but the houses were perched right on the side of a hill.  And the moment I saw them, a specific verse instantly popped into my mind: 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 NIV

And I instantly knew that the Holy Spirit was telling me that as a follower of Jesus, my life should be so different that I stand out wherever I am. Not in a snobbish, judgmental kind of way. But in an “I do things differently” kind of way. 

For instance, when there is heavy traffic—one of my absolute pet peeves—do I stay in my lane, or do I overlap like everyone else? When a friend or family member confides that money is tight, do I just offer a sympathetic “it’ll be okay,” or do I actually share what I have? When a conversation takes a turn down the “juicy gossip” route, do I jump in and contribute or stay silent?  And when someone trusts me with a prayer request do I repeat it under the guise of “sharing the burden” or do I keep the matter strictly between the Lord and me? 

Very often we associate being different with the more obvious things such as our dressing, how much we indulge in alcohol, whether we are keeping our bodies pure. But it goes much deeper than this. My everyday choices should continually reflect that I am different because I allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions. 

 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 
Galatians 5:16—17 NIV

Lord, help us to be like a city on a hill! 

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Free Those Arrows

Recently, I’ve taken to playing a game on my phone. The game is a puzzle of sorts, and the goal is to find a path to get arrows to fly off the board without colliding into each other. It sounds like a straightforward task, but it is far from that. You see, the individual arrows face different directions and block each other. You have to find the right sequence to free the arrows so they exit the board one at a time. And, the right path to an arrow’s freedom isn’t always obvious. 

Games are not really my thing, but I do find that I particularly enjoy this one. Perhaps that’s because I can relate to being in a difficult situation and desperately wanting to be set free . . . 

The other day, though, I discovered something as I played . . . 

To identify a clear path to each arrow’s freedom, it helps to zoom in. As I zoom in, it becomes crystal clear whether there is a path to freedom or not. Which of-course makes it easier to find the right sequence to free the arrows. At the same time, however, zooming in takes my eyes off the entire puzzle so I may find what seems to be an immediately clear path, but be missing out on an obstacle in a different part of the puzzle. So a few times I’ve found myself thinking “this” is the right path for a particular arrow, only to find that there’s a blockage elsewhere.  And I’m forced to zoom out, look at the entire puzzle, zoom in again, then keep going.

And it struck me that navigating through life is rather similar. I need to be constantly zooming in and out to find “the path.” But unlike in the puzzle where zooming out gives me a full view, with life, I never have the entire picture of what’s going on. Only God has complete sight of all situations. Which means I am continually faced with two choices: to figure out “the path” on my own, or to constantly depend on God to navigate me. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 
Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

Needless to say that one of these choices comes with fewer obstacles than the other! 

Let’s make the right choice—one day at a time—to invite God to navigate us through the day. Whether we are in a difficult or joyful season. It’s the only strategy to successfully “free those arrows!”