A NEW YOU New joys and blessings are ahead for you

Nestled in a valley, there’s a lovely picturesque lake by our home. And one bright, summer morning while I was by the lakeside, I spotted a brightly colored bird. Sitting on an exposed perch, the small bird appeared to be looking for a fish. After some time, I noticed that the bird spotted one and swooped down into the crystal-clear, still water to try to catch it. Then, unsuccessful, it flew back to its wooden perch.

A few minutes passed; and once again, the small bird hovered over the water. It billed downward before diving after another fish. However, the bird came up empty. The bird kept on trying to seize a fish. Yet, it didn’t catch anything.

In spite of this, the little bird did not cease persisting. It didn’t let a disappointment or past failures stop it. Repeatedly, the bird plummeted into the water for a fish. It refused to quit. Again and again, with well-developed vision, it plunged into the water, looking for a fish. And unfruitful, the bird returned to a perch.

What do you do when you try for a goal and nothing happens? Do you give up on your dream? Or, do you continue trying?

After over 30 unsuccessful attempts, the bird spotted a fish. I could almost see the persistent efforts in the bird’s dark eyes. Once more, it charged headfirst into the water. Finally, the bird was successful. It was victorious.

I stood in silence by the lakeside, mulling over what I had just witnessed. So when you are looking for your miracle, be like the little bird and keep on trying!

If situations are postponed or difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Persevere. God is on your side. Right now, He is preparing a great victory for you to enjoy. Despite what you face, you must not give up, for God is not through with you yet.

In the Bible, I read when Caleb was 85 years old, he said to the Lord, “I am as strong now as when I was 40, and I want to take another mountain.” (Joshua 14:6-13). Caleb didn’t sit back and yield, becoming down and discouraged, thinking that his best days were over. Rather, Caleb believed there was another goal for him to accomplish, another mountain for him to conquer, and that God would bless him in many new and wonderful ways. Caleb’s example teaches us to wholeheartedly follow God, to be strong and courageous, and to never quit.

New joys and blessings are ahead. God didn’t take you this far to abandon you. So, take your eyes off of the roadblocks that are keeping you from living your best life, focus on God and move forward. Success is to come. Miracles are just around the corner. A breakthrough is near. That’s why it is important to keep praying, keep trying and keep on striving. God will finish what He started, for Scripture says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will complete it….” (Philippians 1:6).

In the Old Testament, God

promised Sarah that she would have a baby. In those times, the main purpose of a woman’s life was to get married and bear children, for children were the hope of the future. Yet, Sarah was beyond childbearing years, and she thought she was too old to conceive a child. It seemed impossible, because Sarah was 90 years old, and Abraham was 100. But, God basically said, “I’m not through with you yet!” And as promised, Sarah did give birth to a miracle son they named, Isaac. The miracle of God came to pass.

You and I can only do so much. But God can do the impossible, and He is not through with you yet. Regardless of circumstances or people who tell you, “It could be too late,” “You’re too old,” “It isn’t going to work,” or “You can’t…,” remember, nothing is beyond God’s ability to renew and restore. The word “impossible” is not part of God’s vocabulary.

One of my favorite poems is titled, “It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Guest. The poem reads:

“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,

But, he with a chuckle replied

That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one

Who wouldn’t say so til he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;

At least no one has done it;”

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,

And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

Without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

There are thousands to prophesy failure;

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start to sing as you tackle the thing

That “couldn’t be done,” and you’ll do it.”

Dear readers, God is not through with you yet. Hence, as you travel through life, choose to walk with Him and never give up on your endeavors. Receive His abundance and His joy. God is continually working all things together for your good. It’s time to believe. It is time to persevere. It’s time to expect God’s blessings. And you’ll defy the odds and succeed.

If you do your part: God will do the rest.