APRIL 2025 | IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU VIEW LIFE

Romans 8:31-32: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who will be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

April 2025 is here! Thank God, thank goodness!

How are you? How are your dear ones? I pray that all is moving on well. But even if you have some challenges, at least you are alive. Be grateful. Again I say, be grateful for that breath. There are people on life-support, as you read this. Some have actually passed-away. But you are alive. Thank your Maker.

What shall we say, then? Should we continue to lament and cry that this life is hard or difficult? I think NOT. Each person (myself inclusive) must raise their head, gather all the strength from within and shout out victory over every aspect of their life. This world or life has a way of making us feel as though we are helpless at crossroads; at the verge of collapse; at the end of a narrow road.

I have learnt one thing over time... It is usually at the point when we are left with no option that we get the real solution to the situation at hand. Sometimes, it becomes a matter of life and death and I believe it is against that background that Esther declared and decided to go and see the King. It didn’t matter whether she was to die or not. Esther 4:16: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the King even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

My dear Friend, as long as you have a source of income, you might not imagine what will happen the day the source is no more. As long as you have parents, relatives or friends who encourage and support you here and there, you might never imagine what could happen the day those people are gone from you.

My advice for this month is that while we have life and all that we need, let us also live as though we didn't have that life or all that we need. That way, we will be happier knowing that whatever we have shall not last forever. Everything is but temporary - just for a little while. Forever is a long time. Wisely enjoy this or that moment while it lasts.

April 2025 calls each of us to realize that, yes, we could be able to apply effort in all that we do BUT that effort without prayer and faith in God is useless. You will do exercises, go to the gym and fitness centers, build up your body to keep it fit; you will scare away your enemies or build a wall fence around your home and all that... Truth remains that some times (and many times), as per Ecclesiastes 9:11, … the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happens to them all.  Should we then sit and look on? Not at all. We must brave and strive on and on, one day at a time. Be prepared at all times.

Isaiah 6:1 states that “in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.” To me, the simple interpretation from Prophet Isaiah’s vision is that there are certain things (not necessarily people) that must die for one to see greatness. Look at your real life. Hasn’t it happened? Haven’t you seen it? Haven’t you experienced it? So what are you talking about? Certain things in your life, home, community, country and world have to die completely for you to advance. Otherwise, they will always keep you in the same place, entangled.

Be very careful about the people you relate with or talk to. This month calls us to be quite selective in the way we deal with people. Not everyone that smiles with you is good or happy with you. Some are wolves in sheep skin (sounds like binawolovu). Some just want to drain you completely and when you are done, they will find someone else who is better-off than you. 

It is common to find that when you don’t have much, you will NOT have many people around you. The more you have, the more they gather around you. But do you need many people? If you don’t, why are you starting conversations with them. Why don’t you stay where you are? Where are you going with them? Tell me! Every other person in your life needs the same attention and commitment if the relationship is to grow or last. How much time do you have? How much resources do you have? How much space? How much energy? What will you be left with when you give away most of what you have?

We are focusing a little more on what is ahead of us. How far have you moved on your plan(s) for 2025, especially now that the first quarter is done? Do you wish to start afresh? Do you feel like going back to 31^st December 2024 then join in to 1^st January 2025? It should be okay. Only you will know that the past three months have been a waste and then get serious about the times ahead. Then, shut up. Only you and your heart should know. Not even me, don’t tell me. I will know by the outputs that you are getting back on track.

Lastly for now;

Respect people. Love people. Treat well everyone who crosses your path. Help them if you can. Let life be. There are things you will manage; there are things that will manage you. Yes, however much you will try to handle them, they will end up handling you. Lift up your hands as though you are surrendering but in that very moment or in actual sense, look up to the heavens and speak a word unto your Creator. Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved (Romans 10:13). 

Without God, I am nothing. With God, I am everything.

 Mugisa Abwooli Reflection #5 of 2025