Pastor Tinashe Zinyemba
Christian Youth
A blessed day to you. The year is moving so quickly. To think that we are already at the end of January! We pray and hope that the year has started well for you.
The other day I heard someone say that there is no difference between last year and this year and that the only difference is the change of date. I do not agree with that view at all. I am sure there are many out there that hold the same belief simply because there seems to be just a continuation of the problems and challenges that were faced last year and maybe even an escalation of negative issues.
We felt inspired to encourage a few people through this article so that you focus on God and not only on what you are faced with. There are two passages of scripture that relate to people who had given up hope of their situation becoming any better.
They had done all that was in their power to improve their lives in that regard but all to no avail. In fact the problem was so big that they had no capacity by themselves to change the situation. Hence they resolved to leave it as it was.
I know that could be you reading this, you lost your job and there seems to be no way to get another one. You cannot manage to pay school fees and thus life and opportunities are slowly passing you by.
Maybe you have these great ideas to start a project but have no start-up capital. May be you recently received your results and AGAIN you have failed. There seems to be a perpetuation of issues all around you. It is not that you are lazy or unwilling but your need is totally out of your means or reach.
In Genesis 18 v 9 and 2 Kings 4 v 16 we find two couples who have resigned to prospects of having a child. They had believed God and just by reading about them you can tell they were good people doing their best to stay alive. Abraham and Sarah as well as the Shunamite woman and her husband. Both couples could not have children for one reason or another. The solution to their problem was totally out of their means so they just resigned to the fact they could never have children.
They have a visitation from God and in both verses the following statement appears “… according to the time of life (Sarah thy wife shall have a son . . . You shall embrace a son) . . . ”
Both couples found this statement to be weird and both questioned the authenticity of it, but guess what, within a year each couple had a son in their hands.
In Ecclesiastes 1 v 9, Solomon says the famous statement “ . . . there is nothing new under the sun . . . ” Let me take this opportunity to say to you that the Bible is saying God has seen it all.
What issue can you claim to be so complex that God cannot fix? Or so difficult that God cannot make a way? Sometimes after going through challenge after challenge it begins to seem like that is the way of life. However I am here to let you know that about this time next year you will hold what you have desired for so long, with God being your helper. I know you might be used to being so lonely and having no one to look at you and ask to marry you. Or vice-versa. I know that you are tired of not having a job, I know that you cannot afford to keep on flunking in school, I know that you are tired of doors being shut in your face and being back stabbed by people. Despite all of this listen to what God says to you in Isaiah 42 v 9, “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Let go of the old because this is the year of new things for you. Leave the bad memories behind you, leave the bad habits behind you, make a decision today to stop destructive behaviours. I know you have failed in one way or the other, pick yourself up and move on.
Learn from the mistakes of last year and the years gone by, train yourself to think better and not fall into the same pit again. This year does not have to be like last year. It is a new year with new hopes and new expectations. Actually God says in Jeremiah 29 v 11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
God did not say, “behold your parents are thinking . . .” or “behold your boss is thinking . . . ” or “behold the devil is thinking …” neither did God refer to your boyfriend or girlfriend, your headmaster or your friend. Only God knows what He has in store for you.
So be encouraged, the future looks brighter for you. Do not let the economy, or the circumstances around you dictate your future. God is in control and He is in charge. In the month of February we want to focus on relationships, so we will see you then. Be encouraged and stay blessed.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at tinashezinyemba@yahoo.com