Stand Strong… Elemi 9 plus
I spoke with a direct report this morning who I know has been going through a difficult season in his life. He recently lost his Dad and whilst they were busy putting funds together for the burial rites; some armed men invaded the house and literally took all they have. This is a guy who is currently transitioning from being an Academia to Solutions development; a very tricky season and a some what challenging one.
I have kept this note for a while and I had just thought, this is going to bless someone.
Every time I read this scripture from the Bible, it does something to my entire core. 1 King 20:23–28 ‘The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD’
I am learning to understand that God is not a God of HERE or THERE. He is the God of HERE and THERE. His capability isn’t limited by human circumstances nor his power restricted by mere human experience. Often time, we assume God is our God of great strides and solid testimonies. The God of great jobs and gigantic blessings. But friends, he is also the God of low moments, times of dejection and rejection, the God in your space during humiliation, your present help in EVERY season of your life.
As we journey through life we’d understand that God isn’t just interested in your destination or milestone achievements; he’s very interested in the character forming seasons of your life. The dark nights, the painful seasons, the days of confusion, of wants and needs and of rejection and humiliation. He is the God of the journey and not just the God of your destination. This same God isn’t just here for the Hallelujah Hossana song but for the ‘My God, why have you forsaken me’ season.
When I X-ray the life of Joseph, I see him move from that dreaming Daddy’s PET, to the cluelessness in the Pit, to the handsome slave in transit, to the slave awaiting posting, to ordinary slave in Potiphar’s home, to Potiphar’s Chief of Servant, to the accused man, to the crook in the Presidential Prison, to the assistant Prison Warder, to the Palace guy and then the Prime Minister. — Just ONE Man. What a roller coaster! This is what life looks like sometime — the highs, the lows, the mid-lows, the mid-highs, the in between. There are times when it looks like there’s a big break, then you are stuck in between an unknown rock of confusion and rejection again.
This may sound a little weird but I am daily learning to embrace pain with pleasure. Whilst I am here enjoying the beauty of life, I am daily learning to prepare for Death. [No, I am not planning to die but I am preparing for death]
See friends, Life isn’t a linear path of rosy, happy and sweet experiences. In the natural patterns of life, there’s SPRING, SUMMER, FALL & WINTER. These several seasons are premised on how the earth is tilted to the sun. There is no where God promised a stress-free or trouble-free life. It is really going to get hot sometime.
It is clear that Joseph significantly went through some of these seasons of life and more.
Season of winter — This season is the coldest of all and the temperature is almost freezing. Things may look hopeless, difficult and totally of your control. Imagine being in an empty pit in the desert. The dark hole of life. Imagine going from dropping off food for your brother and be thrown to a dark hole. The season when you are left in the cold and you are confused.
Season of spring — This is almost like the season of new beginnings, new opportunities. In this season, when in the natural scheme of things, plants begin to grow again, flowers begin to bloom, days are getting longer. When things begin to brighten up. The season of sowing, committing, taking risks and jumping into new frontiers.
Season of summer — The season of sun. Things begins to get warmer and the heat can translate to drier temperature and even drought. A season when things begin to look promising. It may look like a time to relax but it isn’t. It may look like the time to rest and lounge, but it isn’t. When the bare minimum looks like the destination. The prison isn’t always the destination.
Season of fall — This is the time to literally reap all the seeds you’ve sown. The successes and achievements, failures. The time for recognition and the time of celebration. It won’t always be fall. Sometime, life fit fall your hand, but you must stand strong
The In-between season — This is season of confusion- a mixture of winter and spring. A mixture of fall and summer. A season of just dreams. Joseph was 17 in Chapter 37 of Genesis and was 30 in Chapter 41 of the same book. Imagine the 13 years of pit, prison, persecution and pains. Of uncertainty, unfair decision and unjust accusation. Of just dreams, dedication and diligence to God’s word. How do you manage this In-between season. It is simply knowing that there is a GOD SEASON. This seeming irrelevant season of our lives are probably one of the most significant ones. This was the season when Jesus was neither a successful furniture maker nor the season of the world.
The God season- This isn’t just a season. This is an experience. It’s a location. Every season is God’s season, either good or bad. This isn’t really a season but an awareness, a knowing, a presence and a journey. This is where you should reside, this is where your mind must stay put in, this is where you must strive to be in.
Friends, this is just a note to remind you that regardless of your current season, it’s a God season. You won’t fail, you won’t fall, you won’t be lost.
Keep rising.
Solomon O. Ayodele
19 July 2022