She ran down the uncountable stairs in high speed, with the long tail of her white and pink flowing gown trailing behind her as she ran with the wind. She was dressed to kill, wearing the most expensive chiffon fabric, sewn to fit her shape perfectly and done by the family tailor. Her hair was packed in a simple alluring French bun with a scarf the color of her gown, and her ear-rings and jewelry had matching silver designs. Her make-up was light, sassy, and very feminine, with the finishing touch of pink blush on her cheeks. She was ready for the best event of the year and she was ready to grab her award. But she stopped running when she got to the 54th step, as she realized she had forgotten her most vital element: her clutch purse.
A lot of women cannot do without their hand-bags or clutch purses, at least we need a constant supply of lip-gloss when the lips get dry. Funny enough, today my analogy is that of a clutch purse representing "hope" in the life of child of God. We can't do without hope. Hope is the vital clutch purse that will complete the whole outfit. Hope is that element that pushes us forward to reach our destinies. With hope the anthem is "forward ever, backwards never." Without hope there is really nothing to look forward to.
"For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
Yet at the scent of water it will bud
And bring forth branches like a plant."
Job 14:7-9
Also...
Psalm 31:24: "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
Proverbs 23:15-18 "My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off."
And so I have come to a very important conclusion: there is no life without hope. It is hope that will push you and I forward. If God told you something about yourself in the middle of the night, you've got to hold to to it. Hold on as tight as you hold on to your clutch purse, especially when it has a small handle. See, God is not a man that He should lie. He can never lie to you because He watches over every word He speaks to make sure that those words are accomplished. Everything that you are "sure" He has spoken He must do, unless you are not sure. If you are not sure then you need to ask Him again so that you can be sure. But whatever He has spoken He must do. Sometimes we forget those things that God has spoken concerning us for so many reasons. It could be that He spoke something to you a century ago, and gosh it has been so long! But it's time to remind ourselves of those exact words, because He will be faithful to perform it.
22 comments:
You couldn't be more righ...I pray that His hope continues to live within us...thanks for your encouraging words...Ps 31:24 is one I love..God bless you as you continue to encourage...
welcome back gurlie.... Interesting read.. i love how u used the clutch/ purse in this piece.
God bless u more n more...
xx
How beautiful....if only we would trust Him enough & leave Him to fulfill His word. Thank you so much for this word.... 'Hope' a beautiful watchword for the year. Do have a most fulfilling year.
i won't lie
some times
i intentionally forget my clutch purse
but new year new dreams new goals
Father please help mii not to forget it oooooooooooooo
this is beautiful
as usual
happy new year girl
great write-up. something to keep reminding oneself of - if he has said it, he will surely do it.
what do you do when you're not sure of what God is saying? you've asked and you're not getting a reply. You don't know if to continue or stop. what do you do?
hope ...my clutch purse...
i have hope ...
my hope is in God....
I love that analogy!!! Yes, yes, yes, Hope is the key! Jeremiah 29:11 tells us of God's plans for us which includes that of Hope, it reads: For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Father, I pray our hope in you never wavers, never wonders and never dies. Thanks Jaycee… a time for me to bring out the notebook and start bringing to remembrance all those words father spoke to me..
God bless
@ Nyemoni, I'm glad u love that psalm...may your heart be strengthened in this year, because your hope is fully in God and on nothing else...
@ Sha...amen, and may God bless u too...I shd have known u would like the clutch purse idea fashionista!
@ Rethots...for real, if only we can just trust Him...it'll make all of our lives easier I tell ya!
@ Kafo...I was laughing at ur brutal honesty @ intentionally forgetting ur clutch purse sometimes. In times of intentionally forgetting what God has promised, we let go of the spirit on the inside of us and let our flesh take over. You know the bible says that our flesh constantly is in war with our spirits, throwing as many ammunitions as possible...and sometimes it's easier to just let our flesh win (no hassles right?)...but Kafo, hope will bring God's promises to your rememberance in Jesus Name, Amen.
@ Webround...yes, He surely MUST do it...
@ Anonymous, that's an excellent question that I had to deal with myself this past Christmas. There are two case scenarios: 1) God spoke to u first and gave u a go-ahead to be in this particular situation. 2) You didn't hear from God and you took what you consider as a wise decision, to ur own knowledge. So if your situation is number (1) and then along the way, seeds of doubts started creeping in (like me this past Christmas), then don't put it on hold...continue. So in my case, I told myself that if God was the One that spoke to me initially, then He shd be able to speak again to me and RE-confirm it. But that's when God can go silent on you. If you've asked God and you're still not getting any reply, He wants you to be patient and wait some more for His response. Some stories in the bible illustrate God's silence, take for instance Jacob's dilemma...how he waited seven yrs for his wife and then got the wrong wife, and then he had to wait another seven yrs just to get his true love. Why didn't God do somn in that LONG period? God was building His character and strength even as he worked for his bride...but it must have felt like God withdrew His hand, but no...God was still THERE (remember initially God was the One who told Jacob to go to that household to get his wife). But Jacob still was patient and endured another 7 yrs. Now the second statement you made, "You don't know if to continue or to stop," So still using the same example, after Jacob was given the wrong wife he must have asked himself if it was really worth it to continue his wait for another 7 yrs, or whether he shd just stop right there and go home with the wrong person, but because he knew who God had truly chosen for him he decided to take the long haul all over again. But there's one last thing I want to say below...
"Everything God speaks to us aligns with the WORD of God, as written in the bible. If what you're doing is opposing something in the bible, then you need to STOP. If what you're doing aligns with God's word, then you will have confidence and peace...if there's no peace, but instead you have a restlessness within your spirit, then that might be God's way of telling you what you're doing is not right. God can answer different people in so many different ways, but u just need to pray for the spirit of discernment to "understand" what God is trying to say specifically to you (and not to someone else)."
@ Mystories...amen...
@ Remi, I lurve Jeremiah 29:11...the plans God has for us are for our own good..we need to hold on to this HOPE...I need to bring out my notes from last yr too...
Prayer for all of us: God pls help us all, help our Spirits to take over our flesh...help us to HOPE, even when we can't see any flicker of light. Help us to TRUST in the WORDS that You have spoken CONCERNING US, because those words are true and You will perform them. I know You can see this prayer Lord, because You are not a dead God and You have eyes to see, and I believe that You have already responded to each of us writing and reading this message of hope, in our individual dilemmas. In Jesus Name, Amen.
I say a big AMEN to that!!!!! Father indeed help us to live and stay within the realms, embraced by the reality of your will for each and every one of us!
I sense it's going to be an awesome year! woohoo!!!
God bless you.
@Jaycee, nice to have you back. Your response to anon is a good one and is worthy post in itself, what do you think?
You are a blessing indeed and glad you are back to blogville
welcome back jaycee... Yep, there cannot be hope without life. And a Big Amen to your prayer
Hi Jaycee,
Have u ever considered writing for an article for a Christian magazine/webzine (well, u know what I mean)? I personally thinking you should try consider it, so more people can read what you have to share about your relationship with God...
I love these analogies...welcome back
I haven't read yet but i just thot i'd first say am loving this blog! now i'd go read :)
I like the analogy you've made with regards to the handbag and God. But how about us guys? Would it have to be our wallets? :-)
@ Remi UK...amen to an awesome yr. I know u can already feel it too...seriously...I can't wait to see what's really going to be up this yr...
@ Naija chickito...amen, thanks :)
@ 30+...that would be one very nice post indeed! :) I think the only thing with that topic is that the way God speaks to each of us will always be different...But the bible says that no matter what, "the sheep recognizes the voice of the shepherd." So I'm here thinking that if the shepherd chooses to whistle, the sheep should understand...but if he chooses to sing another day, the sheep shd also understand. Lol.
@ Allied...thanks for the welcome too... :)
@ Ms Iyabo, actually I'll be glad to share on a grander scale if I do get the opportunity...my tongue is the pen of a ready writer...lol (speaking things into existence!!!)
@ Uzo...thanks. Lovin ur series too!
@ Labelle...:)
@ aworan...lol. Coming from a guy, u've said it best (even if that came as a question). It must be the "wallet." Hmmmm...seeing as I'm not a guy, I chose the easy way out...he he.
hmm babe, m sure i left a comment earlier...Jaycee...wia is it?..lol, camebk 2 check the name of that ASA's song...hotness indeed..luvs it...hope dis one sticks?...lol
who is Asa??
Oooooh @ Naija Vixen...I love it too. U shd listen to her entire new album...u'll love Awe and Bi'Ban'Ke as well...
@ Kafo...I know u luh her right????? She's a new Nigerian artiste who mainly sings in Europe (France and Germany)...but this is her debut album with her new record label...I lurve her! (She also mentions/acknowledges too in some of her tracks)...
*acknowledges God*
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