Good evening everyone MB here again. This time I’m not coming to you excitedly with another article in a series of mine but instead I’m coming to you having just taking a stroll down memory lane that I really shouldn’t have. You see, I’m still getting used to my new nomadic lifestyle on top of also getting used to married life. The married life part has been great, that’s not the issue here it’s getting used to the lifestyle. So, right now I’m sitting in an Airbnb on my laptop as my wife works on a project of her own. In doing so I’ve come across folders of old pictures and audio files from well before I started this journey and new phase of my life. This phase of my life has been ordained by God and it is where he wants me to be right now. Because I know this, I’m always hyper-vigilant for when demons come knocking. I’m always on the lookout for sudden mood changes that are unexplainable.

As I sat looking through the old videos, pictures and audio files. I started to think very wistfully about my old life. And that is why I’m writing this for you right now. At times, things are going to be difficult. At times you’re going to wonder why you’re serving God. At times you’re gonna wonder why you are going through everything that you are. At times you may want to turn back. I’m telling you now though it’s not worth it. No one ever said the life of a Christian is easy. If anyone ever says that to you, then they are not living the life of a Christian. The life of a Christian cannot be likened to a cakewalk or a Caribbean cruise. However, it can be compared to being on a battleship in the middle of a naval battle in World War II. 

Following Christ is not for the weak nor is it for the strong. Following Christ is for those who will set their will aside, put down their pride, give Jesus the reigns and go along for the ride. In order for you to truly dedicate your life to Jesus and follow him you have to give up your former life. You have to die (metaphorically speaking) so that you can live. Who you once were has to perish so that who God wants you to be can live.  It’s not a one and done decision either. It’s a decision you have to make daily multiple times each and every day.. 

So when I decided to open the files that I opened, look at the pictures I looked at, when I decided to take that stroll down memory lane and look at those old family photos., I revisited a life that is dead. Of course, right on queue demons swooped in. They started making me wonder if I really am doing the right thing. They started making me wonder if following Christ was really worth giving up all that I have given up. They started to make me wonder if abandoning my  predictable and comfortable life in a quiet suburb of New York for a life full of uncertainty and instability was really worth it. I will be honest with all of you. The reason I started writing. This was not to convince you that it’s worth it, but to convince myself. 

I needed to sit for a moment and think about all that I’ve been through in these last 3 months. Not only all the fear I dealt with, not only all of the uncertainty I waited through, not only on the doubt that I pushed away, but also all of the mercy God has shown me, all of the love that he has showered me with all of the joy he has brought to me, all of the freedom that I now walk in, all of the purpose that I now have and all of the wonders adventures still to come.

There hasn’t been a day where I have not eaten, there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t had a place to lay my head, there hasn’t been a day where I didn’t have anything to wear, there hasn’t been a day where a single one of my survival needs has not been met. The Lord, our God is Jehovah Jireh, my provider and he has indeed been providing all that I need. 

So I write this to tell, not only you but myself that I have nothing to fear. Why is that? Because the Lord has constantly shown me that he holds me most dear.  if he holds me most dear, you can be sure he holds you to the same level. So don’t be afraid to take that step of faith. Don’t be afraid to take that leap that he’s calling you to take. Talk to him in prayer. He’ll tell you what to do. Not only will he tell you what to do but once you take the first step he’ll guide you all the way through.

Thanks for listening

⁃ MB