This morning, I visited a catholic secondary school in Ibadan and after the principal addressed the students, she announced that the Rev'd Father is around to put ash on the foreheads of the students because today is the Ash Wednesday. After a brief word, he started drawing a cross using the ash in a plate with his right thumb.
I stood at a distance and quietly watched the scene. I asked my friends that we were standing together: "what's the significance of Ash Wednesday?" I went back into the streets of meditation immediately I asked the question. Ash is the solid remains of a burnt thing. It means that before we can get ash, something must be burnt.
Earlier in the day, I had checked scriptures where ash was mentioned and very interestingly, I came across a word while I studied. It is MISTAKE! We make mistakes; I often think that I have made so much and I wonder if God's purpose for my life is still intact. I mean, haven't I spoiled God's plan as a result of my mistakes?
There are times I feel I should have been more diligent about some things or have had more patience before making a decision or if I have sought for counsel or utilized some counsel I got. So I brought out a question from my thoughts. Have I spoiled God's plan as a result of my mistakes?
It's possible that am not the only one that have asked this question. Some may still be asking the question. I know every answer I could need is in the bible so I studied to see the answer. One chapter that seemed to answer the question perfectly is Romans 8. The chapter showed me how that God has seen this ahead and made a provision to make sure that our mistakes do not take us out of His course.
God has a way of creating something beautiful from ashes. Verse 26 to 30 showed me the process of bringing out sense from our nonsense. When we remain the house of prayer, the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities such that our mistakes are channeled to bring out the purpose of God in making us conform to His Son.
I like the way NLT puts it. "...God causes everything to work for our good...". God is a specialist in diverting our mistakes into experiences that make us to be like Jesus eventually. So, if you have stopped believing, believe again and if you are believing, don't be tired of believing. There is no situation too hard for God. He knows how to bring out beauty from ashes and He doesn't give up!
Your purpose is intact; love the Lord with your heart; keep believing.
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