Do you feel sometimes that life is unfair? What do you do when life is unfair? We’ve been going through a series called THRIVE. We learnt that in this year when many are planning to survive; in this year when many are hoping to just get by; God doesn’t want us to survive – He wants us to thrive!
Genesis 45:4-11 Today, it is from the amazing story of Joseph that we get our final two keys for thriving in 2012. Read more »
January is usually a difficult month for many people in our city. The irony is that it comes right after December, which is usually the best month for many of us. If there’s one word that describes January for many people, it’s BROKE! And this January is particularly tricky because experts predict that our economy will go through difficult times in 2012.
Today we want to look at the next two keys to thriving in a difficult year. We want to learn from a Please turn in your bibles to 2 Kings 7:3-11. This is a story about a nation that was going through very difficult times. And about a group of the most unlikely people – who somehow found a way to thrive in the midst of great difficulty.
The year 2011 was “The perfect storm”. A “perfect storm” is a particularly terrible storm that happens when several weather factors, each of which would be bad in and of themselves, happen at the same time. In previous years, we’d heard about the global economic crisis but in 2011 we met it face to face! A quote on the Internet that said the only good thing about 2011 is that it’s probably going to be a lot better than 2012. Yet as it 2012 beckons, it seems to be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.
So how are people responding to all this? Of course the biggest response to these uncertain times is fear. When life gets hard, fear checks in! Many are digging in, and locking into survivor mode. Many are cutting costs and crossing their fingers and lying low. The truth is that many of us have low expectations for the New Year. If we can just get by, that would be fine. We will be happy to simply survive this year. Read more »
We have come to the end of the year. Most of us are asking questions about the year’s achievements. “What do I take away from the year?” The answer to this question lies in what you set out to pursue at the start of the year.
There are two pursuits that drive most of our goals. Wisdom or more accurately knowledge, and wealth. True? Let me show you why that statement is true.
The search for knowledge has taken us to college. Many of us are doing MBA, right? Others CPA, CPS and ACCA. We are looking for more papers. Many Kenyans are now proud owners of iPads and iPhones. Information is readily available. The cable has brought loads of info to us, and the gadgets are bringing it home. A few days ago I saw an advert of internet TV, I think am a little behind. We love 411 – breaking news, the latest news from around the world. We want to be in the know and to contribute intelligently to debates around us.
Back at home, we are glued to talk shows. We want to know how to attract the jamaa and how to fix our relationships and how to lose weight (slim possible is answered prayer for most husbands, and their so-eager-to-loose-weight wives am told). How many of you watch Dr Phil? Or cheaters? Or the local sexologist? Magazines and dailies tell us 10 secrets to wealth and great sex. We love knowledge. In fact, any high sounding preacher in town will get a great following because Kenyans love new info.
That is search for wisdom. What about wealth? Most Kenyans go for an MBA so as to earn more. Chamas are no longer the preserve of a few. They are a national outfit. Pyramid schemes made their money, now promotions are standing in to harvest from the get-rich-quick Kenyans. Kwachua, Tazama Chapa, and others. Many are relocating to Dubai or Qatar or South Sudan, in search of money. Am told most relationships these days are money motivated. When a jamaa says to a woman Sasa, they answer, Vitz or Flat! Most people relate to the money of the man or woman, not the person. It’s pretty messed up, isn’t it?
It has been a long year. Pretty much could happen in more than 11 months. We have had our low moments. There are times when we feel God should have showed up earlier or differently. There times we feet like He was far way, and that He does not understand us.
Nationally, a lot has happened. The Hague issue got politicians and others shaking in their boots. We have had road accidents, fires and disasters that have stolen loved ones from many across the land. The misbehavior of the shilling, the climbing of interest rates and fuel prices has affected many of us financially. Inflation has not helped either. Terrorism in town and war abroad is far from what we had hoped for in the beginning of the year. It has been a difficult year for many Kenyans.
Let’s get down to you. Let us get personal.
