Friday, January 28, 2011

STEP UP

I woke up to Beethoven’s Fur Elise; I could hear Laura my housemate who lived in the flat above me playing that soothing music. You should see her flat, she comes from a long line of interior decorators, and she even though isn’t officially one was able to personalise her flat to reflect who she was. You could so see she was an editor working at the Cambridge press, I mean, so many high ceiling bookshelves, adorned with her favourite books all arranged in a colour scheme that ran throughout her flat. I was somewhat reluctant to leave my bed, the soft quilt feel of my bedspread which Didi had purchased for me as one of my house warming gifts beckoned me not to leave. I could stay in this very spot all day, and still would not be remotely sad. Such wonderful thoughts filled my mind. And as I tried to turn the piercing sun rays coming through my bedroom window reminded me it was a good day to be alive. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I was affronted by our somewhat overgrown garden, which Laura had complained to me on so many occasions how she had pleaded with our Landlord to let us go and spend a day weeding and sipping all day long until the garden was in the right state for summer – I know, it is January and we still have a long way till the summer comes, but that is Laura for you. “It’s a Forest out there I tell you a forest, in her Spanish English accent. I smiled again to myself, and hopped out of bed to have my shower and then the fire alarm started to bellow. Oh yes, that daily ritual that wakes up the whole house every morning. Since I moved to the apartment, my ground floor flat has had an electrical problem and the whole house block must put up with it every time I have a shower. But amidst the music and the fire alarm, there was still a sense of serenity in the house. The electrician is still working at fixing the problem, and we are still enjoying the moments of living in our house. Even the Landlord once commented on how he has never had such wonderful tenants all at a time living in his house. As the sound made up of varying frequencies and amplitudes began to resonate, I wondered if I should move my body to their rhythm as I got dressed. It was now time to leave. I unlocked my front door, and up the stairs I went. As I climbed up the stairways which separated me from my basement flat, and the main road at the top, I couldn’t help but wonder upon a thought.

That, regardless of where I am, getting to the top requires a “step up”. The more I pondered upon it, the more I came to the realisation that irrespective of where or what that “step up” is, there is always a beginning, a starting point, a base level, a ground zero. And to get to the top requires a stair case, a ladder, a lifter upper, a shoulder, my goodness a facilitator, an enabler, a helper. You cannot get to the top, a place higher than a base, a raise, a boost, an uplifting, by simply walking on the same level. You need help. You need direction. You need guidance.

LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their stepsJeremiah 10:23.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths - Proverbs 3:5-6

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their stepsProverbs 16:9

Thus says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go” - Isaiah 48:17

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future – Jeremiah 29:11

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on youPsalm 32:8.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm – Proverbs 1:32-33

So let me pose this to you: What are you using, or have you been using as your support system for your step up. Who are you depending on to boost you to the top? On what are you basing your confidence on to increase and accelerate your movement to the top? Friends, friends, who are you relying upon, hoping upon, to assist, grant or facilitate your entry and access to all that your next level has to offer? Remember that only those who listen to the Instructions of the Lord can have access to all He has to offer. Only those who have made up their mind to delight in all that pertain to Him does He establish!

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand – Psalm 37:23-24

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; - Psalm 37:4-7

I thank God every day, because I don’t know where I would have been today if it hadn’t been for Him. I know that where I am today is because God has been that support system, that assistance, that facilitator, that elevator, that helper. He has been dependable on all counts and faithful. Only He knows the way I ought to go. Only He knows the best way for me to live a productive and profitable life. Only He knows all the different ways to reach the top, and am not about to start toying with His instructions. Thank God for being my “STEP UP”, because surely I would have still remained in my ground zero, wandering around without any form of progress. And then He came, and uplifted me. Wow. This is my testimony. This is my song. How about you?

7 comments:

Jennifer A. said...

Just so you know, most of your blog posts have been 'favorited' on the side-bar of the Lamp. This was highly INSPIRING...especially at this point of my life. Thanks, darling.

Anonymous said...

I love the way the Lord ministers to us through the simple things of life. I'm loving your blog. This is truly inspiring.

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Oh wow Jaycee thanks :), remember things can only get better for you :*, God is in control.

@Maid of Heart: awww, thanks for visiting my blog. Really glad you like it.

Stella Kodi said...

1st time here...it's such a delight to read your thoughts...nice one

Anonymous said...

I pray God will continue to strengthen and uphold you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Rainyjoy said...

true, God knows what is best for us and if we would just listen to His instructions, we would enjoy this journey called life.

thanks for sharing this.

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

@Chic Lounge: Thanks for visiting my blog, and glad that you like it :)

@Anon: Amen and Amen. And to you too.

@Rainyjoy: Thanks Rainjoy. Thanks for visiting my blog :)