Grapevine

By Oluyinka Esan

Embrace God’s Word

Consider challenges of fathers and all who bear similar burdens – whether in homes or in other public leadership positions.  I can only imagine how the already difficult tasks are now affected by the pressures imposed on daily living.  What with the war in Ukraine, the fall out of COVID, and worsening inflation that is biting hard?

These are unprecedented times. From adverts to celebrities and social influencers the call is compelling.  We are pestered to keep up with aspects of living – fads in fashion, diets, or lifestyle choices.   Unless one is well grounded, unrelenting information from mainstream and social media makes it difficult to be content with life.  Yet there remains a safety valve. 

I invite us to look to the One who is Master, Provider, Shepherd (Mentor), Friend, and all else that fatherhood implies.  The perfect Father, All-knowing, All-powerful God, Maker of the heavens and the earth is well endowed to uphold us, to meet all our wants and needs.

³ We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. ⁴ God made great and marvellous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.  1^st Peter 1: 3 – 5 (CEV)

Read His word and remember who God is and who you are in Him.  Forget how you see yourself, see how He sees you.  Turn down the volume on everything else.  Tune in to know what God has said. Seek His promises daily; trust Him to deliver.  Be settled in the knowledge of what really counts – the substance and not the shadows of life.