Infinite Reasons To Wake Up

Reason #9: Wake Up, I have something to tell you

Think of one of your favourite words or phrases to speak to people. What is it? Mine is probably "Keep it up". I usually say it to affirm someone that his or her work is valued. I also say it when I recognize one's tendency to give up. The thing is I realize that back then, I barely said this word of encouragement to myself. This is not all about me, but at least, I hope you will be lifted up with what I am about to share with you and what has changed ever since I have Christ in my life.

I used to adore doing two things. I found joy singing, alone and with my friends. I also enjoyed writing songs and poems, but I mostly kept them to myself. I only shared what I composed to those who were closed to me. Another one is drawing. I just loved the existence of colours. I mean, they are all so unique and every combination is a beauty. Sketching was also what I did most of the time and my favourite thing to sketch was portraits of human faces. I think all of us can draw, not just the talented, or specialised ones. It's just that we've got different tastes of artwork. I thought I had always enjoyed doing these until I experienced the loss of one of my family members. I grieved not only with that, but also with some transitions I was going through in my teenage years. I suffered from physical, and verbal abuse. I asked God why I could not have a normal life like everyone else. At school, I had all these nice things to say to my classmates, but only few knew that I rarely received those words at home. Helpless and depressed, I slowly stopped doing what I loved. My passion for music grew cold and I rarely picked up my pencil to sketch again. There seemed to be something that reminded me of what I didn't want to remember at all. I had no peace in mind, but comparison, anguish and loss.

Years go by I have come to stay as I am now. My turning point was when God found and got me a home church and led me to His ways. By his grace, I graduated from high school and got a scholarship for college. All has been brought back together, my family whom I once thought of running away from and I, who was once in the dark. Gradually, I have learnt to bring back my love for arts to life again and share with my loved ones. I am hoping to share those things with other people as well. The struggle still appears at times, just unexpectedly. But what has changed comes from the relationship that I have with Jesus. This relationship changes the way I see others and myself. It changes the way I see life as a whole. It enables me to experience a Saviour's love, so strong that I know I am so loved and honoured and embraced.

Jesus is God. His love never fails. His fatherly love is what you can hold on to till the end of the age. Who He is and what He does speak as loud as the message in the picture. Jesus loves the unlovable, like us. Life's somehow a trade-off. There are those who have wronged you, but you may also have wronged others. We cannot make an excuse on that, because the Bible clearly reveals that no one is righteous and by sinful nature, we do not seek God at all (see Romans 3:10-20). In spite of all these things, Jesus chose to die on the cross for our sins so that "those who believe in Him may not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Are you lost, hurting or hopeless? Longing to be restored from your past wounds? Finding it hard to keep up with life? Come to Jesus. Repent and accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. Jesus never promises us that once we believe in Him, we will not have troubles. But He does assure us of His presence, hope and life that will never die spiritually when we abide in Him. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the only one way to heaven. Life on this earth is temporary, but what is of God is eternal.

If your decision is to believe and accept Jesus in your life today, please pray with me now,

Heavenly Father,
I've come to You today with all I am. Lord, You are the God of love and justice. You sent Your one and only begotten Son, Jesus, on this earth to die on the cross for our sins and rise again to save us. I pray for anyone who reads this and decides to believe and follow You today, that You may work in their hearts. You know what we have been going through; therefore, I believe that only You can heal us and give us a new life with hope in You. Forgive us our sins, O God. From now on, may you have Your ways on us and lead us to Your light. In Jesus's mighty name, Amen.
_____________________

PS: How are you doing? I hope you enjoyed reading and found today's chapter well. It is longer than I thought it would be, but I am glad you have finished reading everything :). To conclude, I have a request for you. If you know me in person and decide to follow Jesus today, do let me know. Drop me a message or call me, and I will be pleased to talk or meet up with you in person. Likewise, if you are online readers, please do not hesitate to let me know about your decision. Glory be to God and I will always remember you in my prayers.

God bless, dear!