Challenges in life are unavoidable. They can be difficult and unsettling to boot. But whatever the challenge, if we face it and not run from it, we can develop through it. Challenges will teach those who embrace them to do things differently, to grow from the experience, to learn about patient endurance and become resilient. So, you see, a challenge has a job to do and by facing it, you are allowing it to do its work.  In Romans 5:3-5, the Bible tells us how to see the challenges we face in life. It says:

We can rejoice...when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 
Romans 5:3-5, New Living Translation (NLT)

Every one of us will face one challenge or another, but what sets our challenges apart, is the hope we have in God through Christ. That hope, is not like the hope we put in the world which can let us down. It is a hope centred on God which makes us secure and gives us the assurance that the challenges we face will not be the end of us. Because our hope is that one day, our challenges in this world will be over and we will be with God in Eternity. This is why the Bible says in Job 11:18 that,

"You will be secure, because there is hope.
You will look around you and find a safe place to rest." 
Job 11:18, New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Simply put, a hope like that, will always see you through no matter the challenge. Just trust in the love God has for you. Love that made him give the life of his "one and only Son. So that, everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."John 3:16, New Living Translation (NLT)

On that note, I pray the Lord gives each of us the grace to face our challenges and not run away from them. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Stay blessed and keep on going!

A while ago, I came across a poem by Lucille Clifton entitled "won’t you celebrate with me" during my daily commute. As I usually do, I took a picture of the poem and forgot about it. It wasn't until months later that I came across the poem again. This time, it was featured in the Poems on the Underground leaflet: 40 Poems for 40 Years. And, of course, it got me thinking. 

My eyes ran through the poem. As I continued reading, I began to let its words unfold, allowing them to speak to me:

won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.

I thought to myself, truly there are times we find ourselves in situations we didn't create. At those times, we can make one of two choices: make the best of the situation or let it control us. So, when the poet says,

'won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.'

It resonated with me, reminding me of times when I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place, but still found a way to breathe. Times of feeling displaced whilst managing to place one foot in front of the other to keep things moving. These are things that are all too familiar if you live in the diaspora. It is not a situation you create, but one you learn to navigate over time. Being able to overcome the odds and make something of one's self however imperfect, certainly comes to mind when I read these words. When the poet says,

'born in babylon,
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand'

Life in the diaspora comes to mind because it is not unusual to experience a loss of identity, even when one is born in the diaspora. On this side of the diaspora, you will often be asked, "Where are you from?" And when you tell them, "I'm from London," they respond, "What I mean is, where are you really from?" These kinds of questions reaffirm the sense of displacement and remind diasporans that they reside in Babylon. This can cause some diasporans to lose themselves while attempting to fit in, while propelling others to discover their true identity. However, these challenges can be overcome with a resilient spirit. Something the poet highlights when she says,

'come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.'

This truly speaks to me. It reminds me that when life throws you a few lemons, you simply figure out what to do with them. And when you do, what doesn't kill you will most certainly make you stronger. So, come celebrate with me that everyday, something has tried to get in my way and has failed. I can truly say this because, through Christ, I can do all things. Philippians 4:13

Without realising it, Jason Arday, had to some extent, woven his needle and thread of love through the fabric of society by his unexpected passing. Causing people to question the state of a society that is increasingly losing its ability to love, empathise and show compassion. Especially where human imperfections are concerned, in relation to making an error in Judgement. 

In a world filled with unrighteousness, love runs cold and hatred runs high. It's why Jesus said,

“No one is good—except God alone.
- Mark 10:18 -

This is because we all have the tendency to be mean and it takes the grace of God to be kind. It is a continuous work in progress. One that requires a conscientious effort. When an adulterous woman was brought to Jesus and they asked him to pass judgement on her for her sins, he told her accusers this:

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 8:7 -

Why did he say this? Because it is impossible for any human being to be infallible however great we think we are. Instead what did Jesus do, he refused to fan the flame of accusations by encouraging the mob. He turned a deaf ear to their voices and made the choice to turn his focus to his work. So that the Bible says, after Jesus had spoken,

' He stooped down and wrote on the ground.'
- John 8:7- 

When he did this,

'Those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.'
- John 8:8-9 -

Once the mob had left, the Bible says that,
'Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
- John 8:10 -

This woman made an error in judgement and in true human nature, they tried to lynch her by stonning. But when Jesus placed the mob in the woman's shoes, not one of the woman's accusers could stand. Which is saying something: No one is beyond mistakes. It's why God instructed us to,

‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’
- Matthew 22:39 -

Which raises a question: If it was you in the adulterous woman's situation, how would you like to be treated? The answer you give will determine the state of your heart. It will be the difference between having compassion for others and having a seared conscience. Now let's apply the same process to Jason Arday's situation and ask yourself the question: If that was me, how would I want to be treated? Your response will determine the state of your heart. Then, you will know if you've still got compassion or whether you've seared your conscience altogether. Because truth be told, you too are not without faults, it is what makes us human.

Are there consequences we face when we make mistakes? Sure. But, there should always be room for forgiveness and second chances. Something those who pointed the accusing finger at Jason Arday forgot to practice. There is no way to justify driving another human being over the edge, to the point where they kill over just because we have the upper hand. If we are practicing love for one another or putting ourselves in one another's shoes, what happened to Jason Arday could have been prevented.

The strange thing about this situation is that it actually brought to the core of society why we must be 'just' in our actions. This was evident in the atmosphere that surrounded his memorial as I wandered around looking at the tributes layed in his honour. From the elderly people who showed up with their families, to the people from all works of life talking about the impact he had on their lives, it was a revelation. A revelation of someone with value, who added value to the lives of others. But sadly, he's gone too soon because we failed to show him compassion.

Because the world is 'fallen' and we live in an unrighteous world, we lack the tender grace that only God gives and when we do, things like these happen. The Bible says that,

'God is no respecter of persons.'
- Acts 10:34, King James Version - 

Meaning that, the God who created a diverse human race, does not show favouritism. He made us diverse so that we can support one another. That is why, no one human has it all and no one race has it all. Being human is a symbiotic process, one race is not meant to supersede another. Instead, we are what the bees are to the flowers. The flowers provide food for the bees (nectar) and the bees in turn, help the flowers with reproduction (pollination). If the flowers provide a harsh environment for the bees, the bees would stop collecting food (nectar) from the flowers. Which means the flowers would stop growing because the bees would stop taking pollen between flowers (pollination). 

This is the same principle with the human race, what one race lacks, another provides. It's why we have race relations and equality acts. For this reason, I say this prayer:

Father God,
Forgive us, for we don't know the true impact our unrighteous actions have on our lives and the lives of others. Speak to our hearts and give us the ability to love others as we love ourselves. Lord, for the gentleman who wanted to remind the world to love again, keep his family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. Help them find some consolation in the knowledge that, with love, he did his part to make the world a better space. In Jesus name, Amen.

Stay blessed and keep on going. And if you can't keep going, it's okay to ask or seek for help because your life matters. Below is a snippet of Jason Arday's memorial which took place at Trafalgar Sqaure, London. Rest in Peace Jason.

As with everything, there’s always a bright side to life which includes the hottest of summer days. Rising temperatures brings the perfect opportunity to be inventive with unique ways to cool down and care for your wellbeing. Think refreshing homemade cold brew teas, invigorating fruit-infused drinks, fruity iced lollies and finding ways to make the most of the hot sunny days. The video below highlights simple ways to stay cool as the heat rises. Also see my 'Wishing for a never ending Summer' blog for more tips and recipes. Stay blessed, stay cool, stay mindful, and enjoy the sunny side of summer! 

With the recent strike action came the opportunity to take a stroll and have a short wander...

The cherry blossom blooms in its own timing and doesn't bloom at the same time as other plants. It's a lesson for us to wait for God's timing for our lives and not compare ourselves to others.

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.'
- Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV - 

The issue is not so much that time is going fast, the real issue is the state of our hearts towards God. There are many falsehoods being generated about Christ's coming but truth is, no one knows when he will be coming. Jesus himself said this:
"At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
-Matthew 24:23-24, NIV-

But what we do know  according to Jesus' words in Matthew 24:36 is this:
“About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
-Matthew 24:36, NIV-

And there will be signs to warn us, so that we can prepare for his coming. The Bible says:
"For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
-Matthew 24:22, NIV- 

So, when we see time flashing past and we are trying to play catch-up, thank the Lord for his mercy. The mercy of shortened days, so that his word can come to pass. His word says:
"Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
-Matthew 24:34-35, NIV-

Let's think about it!

As we celebrate mother's day, let's not forget to appreciate those who have helped make the motherhood role that much easier. Even Jesus understood the importance of community. That was why, when he was crucified and was about to die he handed his mother over to his disciple to care for her. The Bible says in John 29:26-27 that, when Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (John 19:27).

How many people write a thank you note to their parents, their siblings, their loved ones, their educators or to their youth and community workers? In a time where we easily find faults, we have become accustomed to seeing what is wrong instead of seeking out the good. No man is truly an island. So, as we celebrate mother's day, let's not forget to appreciate those who have helped made the role of motherhood that much easier.