Windy?
Whew... January 2022 is practically over!
Today, as I write, here in Bracknell, it's a rather windy end to the month, or start to the week, depending on how you choose to look at it. I wonder if you've had a great month, a turbulent one or a blend between both extremes?
Perhaps like me, and my wife Rachel, you've had a seemingly rough start to the year. After 6 months of chemo in 2021 for pancreatic cancer, we were glad, surprised and all sorts of emotions, when we finally got a date for her operation within the first week of 2022. That was quickly followed by a great deal of sadness some hours after the procedure began, when the surgeons said they couldn't remove the tumour presently. We're clearly sad that there's still more waiting involved but reassured that God loves us, that He is with us and He has all power to complete what He has started. In spite of it all, we are grateful for life, remain hopeful and continue to grow in faith as we're reminded of His word and believe that nothing is impossible with God. Yes, there’s nothing that our God can’t do!
No matter what you may be going through, I encourage you to hold on to His promise too. He says:
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
- Isaiah 43: 2 NLT
It may not feel like it sometimes, but remember He is WITH US through the storms of life, speaking 'Peace! Be still' and effectively calling us alongside Him on our faith journey to both step it up and step out (Mark 4:35-41, Matt. 14:22-32). Hard as it seems, let’s look away from the wind and the waves to the very One who has control over them—to Him that was there at very the beginning—speaking, creating and bringing order out of chaotic darkness.
We're absolutely grateful for the encouragement and prayerful support around us on this journey. This ties in with Simon's message on encouragement this past Sunday in Bracknell, as part of the series on 'Disciples Who Make Disciples.' Leaning on the example of Barnabas in Acts of the Apostles, the encouragement we've received keeps bolstering and boosting our faith. So let's be determined to keep taking each other up in our lifts and grow in faith together.
I'm praying that the rest of 2022 is filled with overflowing joy, miracles and many blessings for us all! That we'll all have beautiful personal stories to share of the goodness of God in our lives and of those we love. That many will come to faith, and grow in their love for God as they witness His love through us.
God’s blessings and
Much love,
Pelumi