Teneisha Johnson
Luke 13:18-21 New International Version (NIV)
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
AN APTITUDE SIMPLY TO LIVE
God gifted you to bring great joy and fulfillment to your life and to others.
You are also gifted with natural motivations.
There are elements of your personalities that affect your feelings, thoughts and actions.
However; the variety of human personalities are remarkable!
Some of us are brilliant musicians, creators, mothers, teachers, lawyers, mechanics, plumbers.
You name it we all can do it and do it brilliantly.
Some of us can write a touching poem, an incredible story, build a bridge or a great building, perform Shakespearean roles from memory, make the perfect golf shot, preach effectively on God or even predict economic patterns.
There are just too many occupations for me to name them all.
However, we have a wide range of individuals to choose from in our community who stand out and make a difference in their on unique way.
We receive the skeleton of our personalities from God at conception.
He divinely and genetically designed each of us as distinct individuals for a purpose.
Psalm 139:13-14 says,
For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, And that my soul knows very well.
Whatever we are capable of doing there is one thing I know for sure- we were created to give glory to God!
Even our human intelligence, linguistic talent, and musical abilities, our drive to create visual arts, stories, myths, comedies, and dramas, our tastes for all kinds of sports, our curiosity, our ability to solve complex math problems, our moral virtue, our religious fervor, our impulses for charitable giving, our political convictions, sense of humor, need to gossip, or even our courage, perseverance, and kindness are all at various aptitudes simply to live.
Until recently, it was thought that a person’s working life consisted of -or should consist of -entering a particular occupation or career as a young adult and remaining in that occupation until retirement.
Once an individual had begun a job, they were expected to lay the foundation for a lifetime career and to climb the ladder of success as quickly as possible.
This scenario has changed considerably, partly because in today’s technologically advanced and economically unstable world, jobs change so quickly or they are eliminated in such numbers that the one-career pattern no longer applies to most people.
That basically brings us back to the obvious fact-life on earth is a temporary assignment.
To make the best of your life, you must never forget two truths:
First, compared to eternity, life is extremely brief.
Second, earth is only a temporary residence.
Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.
However while here on earth we must first use our abilities to bring glory to God and secondly, help create a better world.
The month of January has been designated as a month to celebrate our National Heroes.
In 2003 the country celebrated its Quincentennial and the fourth Monday in January became a new public holiday, National Heroes Day.
On the holiday’s first celebration, a Wall of Honour was dedicated in Quincentennial Square in central George Town.
The Wall bears the names of 500 men and women who made significant contributions to the Islands’ development. Wow!
In 1993, the Legislative Assembly passed the National Heroes Law, providing for the declaration of persons who have rendered exceptional service, as national heroes.
The first national hero, the late Executive Council member, Hon. James (Jim) Manoah Bodden, was named in 1994.
Though Mr. Jim, as he was known to the community, passed away in 1988, he was regarded by his contemporaries as a visionary who helped to politically lead Cayman into an era of progress through modernization.
Mr. Jim was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1972, and served two terms as a member of Executive Council.
As minister responsible for tourism and aviation, he was instrumental in establishing Cayman Airways and constructing Owens Roberts International Airport.
He was re-elected to the Legislature in 1984 and served as a backbench MLA for the rest of his life.
I was also pleased to learn that the Jamaica National Heroes dared to challenge the institution of colonialism and in so doing changed the course of Jamaica’s history giving social and political freedom to its people.
Read more: http://jamaicans.com/jamaica-national-heroes/#ixzz4vbGklIgE
We should always try to make the most of every opportunity- this basic principle should be incorporated into every area of our lives.
For instance, when given a chance to serve our church, we should make the most of the opportunity.
When we are faced with an unexpected prospect to use our God-given talent and ability for God’s glory, we should certainly make the most of the opportunity.
As Samuel Johnson puts it, "To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and caught the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life”.
We also can meditate on 2 Peter 1:3 which says,
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
While we live we should seek after God’s purpose, and make a contribution- let our courage, perseverance and kindness give us the aptitude we need simply to live.
