I have been struggling for quite some time. Pacing a room in mind back anf forth for way too long. No I’m not crazy,  I’m human. We all go through it. Do I date this girl or guy? Is he right for me? Is he or she “the one?”

Should I go back to school? What should I study? law? medicine? or keep my job? Life is all about uncertainty because we’re not omniscient. We don’t know everything, because that is how we were created. If we did, then we would all be gods. More than one god means too many leaders, and ultimately confusion. Why do you think the world is the way it is today? We have too many countries with their own leaders and their own rules.

Can you imagine the Pope telling President Obama, “I resign?” Can you see President Obama telling Venezuelan President Chavez that he can serve as President of the United States? No one has any foreseeable plans to cede their authority. We are so caught up in power and authority that we have failed to realize who is really in control. Need a little help? God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have never ceded their divine powers to us. The Holy Trinity is most powerful government and authoritative figure known to man. They are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.  Can you say the same?

Today’s lifestyle was not the vision God had in store for us. Everyone walks around confused about their sexuality, their faith, their family, their future. All we ever do is doubt everything and everyone, because it’s basic instinct. How can one ever be certain about anything. Nothing is guaranteed.

The only thing that you can bet your life on is  God, because He sent His only begotten Son to die for us. A life for a life. Who better to trust? I don’t know about you, but I hate gray. I hate being in the middle ground. I’d like to know where I’m going and so I am going to trust in Him who knows all. The choice is up to you. Will you choose to stay in the dark or see the light?

As the purple and black continue to drape over the doors of our churches, we realize more and more the immeasurable value of life.

The sea of black covers the wooden benches as tears fall down the brown faces of the weeping family and friends. The organ plays ever so softly as the room fills with sad emotions and words of remembrance are spoken.

As I sit and write this post, I am trying to count the number of funerals held in my church this year. I can’t really remember, but I do know that I have attended three so far. You may be wondering why I left that sentence open-ended. In this time, I have learned to look around and  I see a disturbing trend. Every week, someone passes or falls ill. My church alone has been struck with death way too many times.

It’s sad for me to reflect on an earlier post where I stress the importance of  communicating with others, because you don’t know if that will be your last opportunity. We don’t know when our time is up. There is a time for everything. Love one another, enjoy one’s company, laugh and cry together. Be grateful  for life each and every day. Thank God for breath, the sunlight, family, and friends. Our hourglass on this earth is nearly up. What is your legacy? What good works have you done?

In Ecclesiastes 3, it states the importance of time. Life is way too short.  I leave you with His word.

¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

⁹What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? ¹⁰I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. ¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. ¹³And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. ¹⁴I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. ¹⁵That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. ¹⁶And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. ¹⁷I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

¹⁸I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. ¹⁹For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

²⁰All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

²¹Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? ²²Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Love, a word that comes and goes, but do people really know what it means to really love somebody?

Life in the city is never slow. We always have to run left and right and sometimes even in circles, trying to do errands.

Did you ever say, “I love you” to your spouse and child as you hurriedly left the house? Did you wish a friend, “happy birthday?” Did you ever say,”good job” or “congratulations” for passing that test or getting that promotion?

There are so many missed opportunities in our lives where we fail to make the necessary effort to communicate with loved ones until it’s too late.

Over the past few months, I have watched as more and more people began to realize that life is about living and not existing. We were not created to follow a specific routine. We were not created just to say that we  met or exceeded the standards of our society. We were created to effect change. God made us in His image. If you read your Bible, then you know how much change He effected. God is no ordinary being, He is extraordinary. For centuries, God has used His children to change and save lives. Have you encouraged someone today? Have you talked a friend or roommate down from the ledge? Have you put yourself aside to find out what your colleague might be struggling with?

As Christians, we have the heavy responsibility of helping mankind. We are charged with handling the affairs of our own homes while guiding others. Don’t turn a blind eye to your brother or sister in Christ who needs help. Just because they didn’t ask for it, doesn’t mean they don’t need it. God has blessed His children with insight. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of vulnerability, let alone admitting that you cannot do everything on your own. Life is not easy and as you go on this jagged journey, you’re going to need some helpers along the way.

So word of advice, try your best to avoid, “I meant to tell you,” because by then it may already be too late.

The table was set.  The guests were hidden and excited as the birthday boy prepared to enter the unknown. Friends and family had gathered to celebrate his special day. “Surprise!” they screamed as he turned on the lights. A smile quickly graced his face as he tried to catch his breath. The candles on the cake were lit and the birthday song was sung as everyone in the room surrounded the table.

As the month of October nears its end and November prepares to arrive, many of my friends have celebrated another year of life on this Earth. Since I was born in December, I have not celebrated my birthday for this year yet. However, as my mom would put it, “everyday is my birthday.” Lately, I would have to say that I agree with her.

I was speaking to a friend of mine earlier today, which is who inspired this blog post. He had just celebrated his birthday a little more than a week ago and I had asked how it went. He said it was more a day of reflection than anything else. A bit puzzled, I listened as he explained the events that occurred around his day of birth. When he finished, I gained a better understanding of why this year far outweighed his previous years.

As children, we were always excited to celebrate a birthday, because it guaranteed a cake, ballons, and plenty of gifts. As we grow older, birthdays are no longer about the clown or surprises. Our views have now evolved to see the bigger picture. A birthday was now a milestone. You had lived another year on Earth, faced with good and bad times. You had seen another year of setbacks and accomplishments. You had seen another year spent with family and friends.

Whether or not you had a cake or the fancy dinner, was of no importance in comparison to the time shared with loved ones. A cake could not replace the warm embrace of a parent and child. A clown could not replace the soft laughter of a child. The music could not replace the melodious voice of your favorite aunt. The cards could not replace the love letters you wrote to your spouse. Life is way too precious these days. So when you celebrate a birthday, spend it with loved ones, don’t waste it away. Take full advantage of the opportunity and appreciate every second of it. Many people, whether we knew them or not, did not have the chance to see 10, 20, 30 or more years. Be grateful and give God praise that you did. Celebrate life if not for yourself, but for your family.  Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Happy Birthday to those who have already celebrated, are celebrating, and will celebrate in the coming days!

Job description: Looking for someone intelligent, committed, understanding, and patient. Preferably a faithful person who can lead, teach, and share the good news. Praying without ceasing is a requirement. Someone who forgives others is a must. Ability to be omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient is a plus.

Have you ever just wondered what life would be like? Have you ever tried to do plan ahead? Did you know you were playing God by trying to take control of uncontrollable factors? Are you applying for His job? I have. Have you? Would we be able to meet the high demands of the job or buckle under the extreme amounts of pressure? If God were to come down from His throne and hand you His resignation, would you accept to be His replacement?

I’m sure you have thought about that special someone. Maybe you prayed you would get that job, because you would do so many good things. I have definitely heard people promise God everything, if they got their way just this one time.  HA!

Many of the things we try to get on our own or against God’s will are not the best things for us. Remember that cute guy you had your eye on? Did you know he was an abuser with a violent temper?  His last girlfriend was either six feet under or had an extensive medical record. Remember that gorgeous gal with that unforgettable figure? After only a year of marriage, she was a cheater and  robbed her husband blind. Remember that job you’ve always dreamed of? How do you like the long hours, low pay, little respect? I guess it’s not all that it was cracked up to be. I guess in these situations, the 80-20 rule would apply. We are often unhappy with the way things are or the people we’re with. We tend to wander off in search of something or someone better. Unfortunately, we lose our ways, leaving behind our blessing in disguise.

There are those other scenarios where we know exactly what we were called to do. We know exactly who God has chosen for us and we turn our backs on God. Did you know that God’s will shall be done with or without you? With life, it’s either the easy or the hard way. Unfortunately, we like to test God and end up wasting way too much time to come full circle. Look at it this way, why would you try to avoid the very path that you will end up traveling months or years later? Imagine how much further you would have been, had you only listened to Him.

We already have a job in God’s kingdom, to teach the nations and baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity. Read Matthew 28 and you’ll see. We’re so busy doing a bad job and here we are looking for a promotion.  Before we can look at doing someone else’s job, let’s  work on ourselves.

In the meantime, thanks for interviewing, we’ll call you (not)!