As we wrap up with 2021, there can be mixed feelings/emotions geared towards the last 2 years. For me I can choose to transfer my negative emotions on my inability to travel the way I deemed fit, but I have decided not to, rather channel all that energy towards what is to come and not what could have been. What was your year like? If you can read this message, it means you are better than a dead lion. If you celebrated Christmas 2021 means you experienced a new Hope. If you have a roof over your head and food on your table means God has your back. If you have been employed during this pandemic means you are Blessed. If you have family around to comfort you during this dreadful time of isolation it means the future seems bright and if you wake up this morning don’t forget to thank God, because it wasn’t your alarm that woke you up. God made it all possible. What God can not do doesn’t exist! “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11. 

Music has helped me cope during this pandanic mostly gospel. We have this gospel radio station – Shine FM that is the BOMB! I tune it in my car, my kitchen radio, my laptop at my home office, and we have even connected it to our TV.  There is something about it..I just can’t get enough. That for me is being conscious of my thoughts, by making sure I am surrounding myself with the things of the Spirit of God, with songs that will uplift me, empower/encourage me, remind me of His greatness, sing my troubles away, overlook my frustration and take me to a place where He dwells. “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. Music is one of the fairest and most glorious gifts of God, to which Satan is a bitter enemy, for it removes from the heart the weight of sorrow, and the fascination of evil thoughts.”  Martin Luther.

Music is a language for all. We can all relate to songs, though not the same music is relatable to all – even if we can’t sing we can participate with a nod of the head, tap of the feet or with body movement. Music resonates the soul, puts our mind at Peace and gives us a new perspective in life – to look past the cloud in spite of the storm ahead. Can you relate? “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” Psalm 96:1-4.

Every year has a new theme/lyrics irrespective of the same pandemic/predicament. It depends on how you want to look at it, with eyes of Hope, Peace of mind, walk of confidence, the touch of His garment or with the embrace of His Love?. There is always something to look forward to, as we step into the New Year 2022, forget about the happenings of 2021, leave everything that happened in the past in the past, don’t try to relive the moment, there is a reason it is called P-A-S-T!.You can’t go forward looking at the rearview mirror. The Lord has promised a New Beginning, New Opportunity, New Life, New Hope – I know it can be hard to turn the other cheek without some mixed feelings/emotions, mixed opinion, mixed ideas, or to wonder if the Hope He promised is truly available to all. I am here to reassure you that it is well with your soul. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27. Without a doubt His words will come to pass as long as He is still seated on the throne. I can’t testify to what I haven’t experienced, I can only speak of what has been made known to me and that is His Living Hope, His Peace that surpasses all understanding, His Joy, His unconditional love & His righteousness. “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. “John 6:53-56.

What has kept me grounded is my strong-willed personality type. I can’t sit here and tell you it has been easy going through the constant bombarded news of Covid related information without cringing. Some true and others misconstrued. What should we do?. As a Christian, I hold onto the strongest force and that is where I have decided to lay my foundation on – the Unshakable Pillar, Unchangeable God, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Indestructible, Mighty one in battle. He is after my soul and not the things of the flesh and wants to ensure I spend eternity with Him. When I surround myself with those gospel songs, I am taken to a place of liberation, freedom, satisfaction, happiness, assurance in a way that no news is worth replacing all that good feelings for. “Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear, your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4.

We might be down but we are not out! Each day is an opportunity for a fresh start to move forward and heal. We cannot always be in the position to help ourselves, that is why we look up to others for guidance, support, encouragement and food for thought. In other words, it might be difficult to give ourselves the gift we give to others. And yet what’s important is sharing and for me that translates to spreading the gospel through my own platforms. I cannot give what I do not have, I can only give what has been planted/entrusted in my care hoping I make a difference through my stories and  winning souls for His Kingdom. That for me is the true meaning of my faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. With the development of the new variant, it seems as if this is becoming our new normal from one strain to the other – a never ending song. What song do you plan on singing/listening to this New Year? Is it the same Covid tune or do you plan on putting your Faith in Action and allow your heart to sing a new song that will strengthen and renew YOU. I don’t know what your coping mechanism is like with stress, pain, difficult moments etc. Keep in mind that our obstacles are not meant to overcome us, rather help us to hold on to happiness – don’t run away from your problems because you will come back and meet them double. Take your problems to God, our strongest force and believe that He has your best interest at heart. “The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19. As you approach the New Year remember that – God is mindful of YOU, God has Redeemed YOU, & God is in Awe of YOU.

        HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022

Wishing you Good Health, Joy, Peace, Happiness & Love