My soul is troubled. Our world has truly changed. People have become less important. Survival of the fittest is the watchword and it’s a ‘dog eat dog’ interaction in our societies. The vulnerable are being passed, they are seen as a burden on the State, and many are ‘dumped’ like trash in ‘landfills’. Where has all the decency gone? Evil reigns without restraint. There is no respect for man or laws. Corruption is everywhere – even among Christians and Christian institutions. Chaos is the order of the day. Is any of this true about the society in which you live?

It’s amazing how we sometimes forget God’s goodness. With each trial, we sometimes murmur and complain, forgetting how God had led in times past. This seems to be a people thing, and this practice always incurs God’s wrath. Yet, we seem never to learn that thanksgiving is always better. When you lift something or someone up, the focal point automatically turns upward and the object of attention becomes the thing or person that’s lifted up.

We run the risk of our eyes being blinded and our hearts hardened when we refuse to believe God’s words. We are admonished that we should “Believe in the LORD your God; so shall ye be established. Believe His prophets; so shall ye prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20) When we refuse to believe God’s words, our behavior is comparable to Cain’s, Pharaoh’s, and all examples listed in the Bible. When we believe, our actions will ‘fall in line’. True belief is followed by acceptance and change. We will order our lives after God’s words.

Nicodemus secretly believed in Jesus; but for a time, he did not confess his belief. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin Council. Being one of the Jewish leaders he desired the praise of the people rather than the praise of God. Like so many others of his kind, they were afraid of what people would say or how they would react should the truth be discovered. So they kept their belief to themselves for fear of rejection. But what if they had made know their beliefs, would anything have changed?

I must believe that He has my best interest at heart. And just as He did, He bids me speak life over my situations. I will speak positive hope over my family and my job. I will speak eternal life over my life. I will not die here. There is hope. I’ve come too far to give up now. My dawn will be seen at the breaking of the day. I will live. Suicide isn’t a solution. I will hold on. I will stay the course. I will live and not die.

Have you ever experienced a misconstrued interpretation of your true motives? With all your sincere and genuine intentions, people still choose to believe different and hold you in suspicion. Well, you’re not alone. People with much to lose will always view you suspiciously and ‘knock down’ your suggestions and improvements toward something. The Bible is so true: Jesus really did experience all things that we humans do.

The Code justified my actions, instead of condemning me. The incident happened more than a decade ago but it still serves as reference point for many things. I was a young driver who had received strict advice from a friend that I should thoroughly know the Jamaican Road Code and drive by it. I took his advice literally and was very proud in holding my own on the streets. One day the police, with flashing lights tried to pull me over in a very deep corner.

The Bible is filled with stories of persons who dared to take the first step in believing. Hebrews Chapter 11 recorded some great acts of ordinary persons who choose to believe and the rest is history. People like Rahab perished not because she believed-a belief that led her to be named in the lineage of Jesus. We can through Christ. Nothing of lasting value comes easy. It takes sacrifice, strong determination and diligent pursuit to make it happen.

So, what’s your testimony, what has God done for you lately? Who will be the first? Did God provide food in your hour of need? Did He provide a way of escape when you were tempted? Were you vindicated after being accused of something you weren’t guilty? Did God set you free from smoking, from drinking, from gambling, from being a womanizer? And the list goes on. There’s no need to feel ashamed. In stead, you should be thankful and joyful in telling your story of how God ransomed and set you free.

Not only did they choose death, but their decision robbed them of their power of choice. But God stepped in and provided a way out that gave them an option to choose again – to choose life. Through the ages, every human is making a decision, moment by moment, to accept God’s contingency or to forever remain with the choice of eternal death.